Did you know that the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) is one of the oldest air forces in the world? It marked its 100th anniversary on November 29, 2020. It may also be the only air force that has physically moved, from the Chinese mainland to the island now known as Taiwan in 1949, after the Chinese civil war. The RoCAF has a special place in American history, when a volunteer group of US pilots fought Japanese forces in the Second World War in P-40Bs marked with RoC markings. This unit is, of course, the famous Flying Tigers. The RoC also flew many dangerous reconnaissance missions in the late 60’s, over China to gather intelligence regarding the latter’s early nuclear testing. The RoCAF also flew numerous support missions against Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War, with high losses. The many combat missions this tiny nation has undertaken is largely unknown due to the secretive nature of its military.

From the publisher:

Justo Miranda is the author of books and monographs on aviation since the 1980s. A widely known historian, Miranda specializes in aviation of the 1930s and is the author of two volumes on aircraft used during the Spanish Civil War. The exciting discovery of a microfilm on secret German weapons in the early 1990s drove him to publish Secret Wonder Weapons of the Third Reich, later published by Schiffer in 1996. Since then, Miranda has published Reichdreams and monographs on little known airplane projects.

Fiat’s CR.42 Falco was one of the last biplanes to serve in an air force at the beginning of World War 2, and as such was essentially obsolete from the moment of its activation. Nonetheless, it served with some distinction in the early air battles both during the Battle of Britain and in the Libyan desert campaign before being relegated to second tier operations. In this instance, serving as both a night fighter and intruder kept this elegant fighter flying long after it would otherwise have been scrapped. Both the Italians and Germans used it in these roles, and ICM’s latest version of this aircraft presents the Italian make. Two different muffler system extensions are offered, as well as a couple of unusual underwing search lights, angled to shine sideways (presumably so as not to interfere with the pilot’s night vision). In addition, the kit still has a couple of bomb rack assemblies, although these are not intended to be used.

Tamiya’s Product Description

“This Detail-Up set can be used for Item 61114, 61118, and 61122. The set is very useful to give more detail to your model Tamiya F-14 model kits

• A stainless-steel alpha probe on the radome facilitates further rigidity and realism. (2pcs. included)
• Photo-etched parts are included to depict seatbelts and rear-view mirrors.
• Includes two types of seatbelts to depict the F-14A and F-14D (two for each).

This is Tamiya’s simple add-on kit for the recently issued F-14A Late Model Tomcat.”

Provider Background

From the website - Mike Reeves has been an aircraft nut his entire life. It all started when he was a kid growing up in Phoenix, Arizona watching the Blue Angels flying their A-4 Skyhawks practicing for their air shows at Deer Valley Airport from the roof of his house after school. When he got to meet the Blues pilots he was hooked and his love of military aircraft began. He served in the USAF and spent a lot of time in and around fighter jets both in the CONUS and abroad in Germany.

His love of the hobby began at a very young age when he would watch his dad and brother build models at the kitchen table at their home in Michigan. His dad and brother built cars and trucks but Mike always wanted to build airplanes. His first model was a Revell 1/72 Blue Angels F-4 Diamond set! Testors tube glue and sloppy paint work started the journey through the hobby that continues today.