BUNDLEA26 Dawn of the Jet Age Bundle

Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1

Product code: A04062

As the first operational jet fighter in the world, initial Messerschmitt Me262s combat operations were flown by single seat aircraft, piloted by some of the Luftwaffe's most experienced airmen. A two seat trainer version soon followed, which allowed new pilots to acquaint themselves with this advanced technology, without their conversion from piston power being their first solo jet flight.

Scheme 1: 10./NJG 11, W.Nr 111980, Red 12 + RAF Version 

Scheme 2: Avia CS-92 Czech AF

Individual price: £23.99

F-80C Shooting Star

Product code: A02043V

The development of the Shooting Star leant heavily on early jet technology supplied by the British, as the Americans were lagging behind both Britain and Germany regarding jet propulsion and the discovery of the Luftwaffe's Messerschmitt Me 262 highlighted the need for their own viable jet fighter. Initially developed around the British Halford H.1 engine taken from the de Havilland Vampire prototype, the project advanced under the strictest secrecy, with a team from 'Skunk Works' producing an airframe in an impressive 143 days. The Shooting Star showed great promise during testing, attaining a speed of 500mph in level flight, the first turbojet powered USAAF aircraft to do so.

Produced just too late to see combat during WWII, it is interesting to note that two pre-production Shooting Stars were sent to England during WWII for familiarisation purposes, with a further two sent to Italy with the 1st Fighter Group at Lesina. It is reported that two operational sorties were flown by the jet during WWII, however, these were non-combat missions and of a highly classified nature. The F-80C would be used extensively during the Korean War, where the aircraft would equip ten USAAF fighter/fighter bomber squadrons and one reconnaissance unit, but by then, this elegant early jet was already beginning to be outclassed. By the end of its production run, over 1700 Shooting Stars of all variants had been produced.

Individual price: £10.99

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F 'Fresco' (Shenyang J-5)

Product code: A03091

This detailed 1:72 scale model of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F 'Fresco' provides enthusiasts with the opportunity to recreate a pivotal fighter from the Cold War era. Comprising 87 parts, a wingspan of 134mm, and offering two distinct livery options, this skill level 2 kit embodies the agile Soviet interceptor that demonstrated its prowess during the Vietnam conflict. Suitable for modellers aged 8 and older, this plastic model lets you construct an aircraft that became the primary fighter for the Warsaw Pact during the 1950s and beyond.

Key Features

• Two genuine livery options for diverse display choices
• 134mm wingspan accurately reflects the compact nature of this nimble fighter
• 87 components provide a challenging build for skill level 2 modellers
• 1:72 scale depiction of the iconic MiG-17F 'Fresco'
• Includes sprues and decals for precise finishing touches
• Appropriate for ages 8 and up

History

At the conclusion of World War II, victorious Allied countries were eager to acquire insights into German jet advancements and high-speed research that could be applied to their own jet development. Leveraging this knowledge and engine technology sourced from Britain, the Soviet Union launched the compact Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 in 1949, a standout among early jet fighters. While this aircraft was proving its effectiveness in the Korean War, the Soviets were already developing its successor.

The larger and swifter MiG-17 Fresco might have resembled an enlarged version of its predecessor, but it was a completely new design, featuring numerous enhancements over the MiG-15 and marking a significant leap in Soviet jet capabilities. The MiG-17 was crafted to target bombers, not for dogfighting. Nevertheless, its remarkable agility enabled it to achieve combat successes against much heavier and more advanced American aircraft. The Vietnam War was a reality check for the US Air Force, as some of their cutting-edge aircraft fell to the MiG-17's guns. Lighter and more agile than US planes, the subsonic MiG-17 scored victories over aircraft like the F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas Phantom, prompting the US to develop new nimble air superiority fighters.

With outstanding performance, cost-effectiveness, and ease of maintenance, the durable MiG-17 was mass-produced and became the standard fighter for the Warsaw Pact from the mid-1950s for the following decade, with production under licence in China and Poland. It became a favoured choice for many smaller air forces worldwide, with over thirty nations eventually operating the type. Ironically, for a nation the MiG-17 was designed to oppose, the United States became home to many of these aircraft, mostly acquired by private collectors, with a few used in trials against different aircraft types to refine combat tactics against smaller, more agile jets. Two meticulously restored examples have also been popular performers at US airshows over the years.

Individual price: £17.99

Gloster Meteor F.8

Product code: A04064

As the world watched in awe as the first jet powered aircraft appeared in the skies over Europe towards the end of WWII, capable of attaining speeds over 100 mph faster than the latest piston engined fighters, it is interesting to note that development work on jet propulsion actually started in the 1930s, with engineers in both Britain and Germany searching for the next generation of engine power. Indeed, the first flight of a turbojet powered aircraft actually took place just days before the outbreak of the Second World War, however, conflict would necessitate the production of thousands of aircraft powered by existing piston technology, so jet powered advancement proved to be relatively slow. In Britain, brilliant engineer Frank Whittle produced a viable turbojet engine and when the powerplant was installed in the Gloster E28/39 Pioneer for its first flight on 15th May 1941, it became the first British jet powered aircraft to fly - the race was now on to produce the first jet fighter for the Royal Air Force.

Conducted under the strictest security, the Gloster Aircraft Company prepared their new twin engined jet fighter for flight testing, but on test flight days, all non-essential personnel would be dismissed from the airfield and local police would close the surrounding roads to stop prying eyes discovering this closely guarded aviation secret. If anyone did catch a glimpse of this strange new aircraft in the air, they would have no doubt wondered where the propellers were and why did it sound so strange? By the summer of 1944, the secret was out and as No.616 Squadron prepared to take the Gloster Meteor F.1 to war from its base at RAF Manston, the Royal Air Force had their first jet fighter and a new era for British aviation had begun.

Britain's first jet fighter was still quite a primitive design and the reason it proceeded as a twin engined aircraft was down to the fact that these early jet were not overly powerful and rather slow to respond to the pilot's power input requests, so the use of two engines seemed practical. The view from the cockpit was however superb, with no propeller to obscure the pilots view and plenty of power available once the aircraft was up to speed. Undergoing almost constant development, the early marks of Meteor were all based around the first aircraft to enter service, however, the service arrival of the F.8 variant in 1950 saw the Meteor maturing into a truly exceptional early jet, one which would not only see service with the RAF, but also with several other air arms across the world. Slightly longer than its predecessors, the F.8 featured uprated engines, greater fuel capacity and the inclusion of an ejector seat. To counter some instability issues discovered during development, the new aircraft also featured a redesigned tail unit, something which really serves to identify this later mark of Meteor.

For five years following the squadron introduction of the Meteor F.8, the aircraft formed the backbone of the RAF's fighter defence force, a jet powered equivalent to the Spitfire's which patrolled Britain's skies during the Battle of Britain just ten years earlier.

Individual price: £24.99