Airfix Kits

The Mustang was among the best and most well-known fighters used by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, appearing in action in just about every theatre. 

The Boulton Paul Defiant was the only 'turret fighter' to enter service with the RAF. The Defiant used the philosophy that a fighter aircraft, armed with a turret bristling and machine guns would be able to enter a bomber stream causing havoc; the turret would also enable it to defend itself from enemy fighters.

Known affectionately as the "Jump Jet" the Harrier GR1 was the first vertical take-off and landing aircraft flown operationally by the RAF, coming into service in 1969. It soon become a crowd favourite drawing huge crowds whenever it was putting on its unique display. 

The de Havilland Vampire was the second jet fighter to enter RAF service, coming after the Gloster Meteor.  Featuring a twin boom fuselage, which was to become a common feature of de Havilland designs, the Vampire proved a capable early jet fighter.  

The dual control BAE Hawk T. Mk.1 is the RAF's advanced trainer and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979. The aircraft is essentially the same as those flown by RAF Advanced Training Students with the exception of the smoke generators and a slightly uprated engine giving a faster response time to changes of power setting.

The Cromwell, officially named Cruiser Tank MkVIII, was one of the most successful British tanks of the Second World War.  Named after the English Civil War leader, Oliver Cromwell, the tank proved to be an adept and rugged fighting machine and served until the end of the War. 

The Mustang came into its own when it was fitted with the Merlin engine. Its long range enabled it to escort bomber formations deep into enemy territory and the numbers produced and performance provided eventually helped to clear the skies over Western Europe.

The Bf 109E was one of the first true fighters of the modern era and was the Luftwaffe's main bomber escort during the Battle of Britain. After some spectacular successes at the beginning of the war it found its main challengers to be the RAF's Hurricane and Spitfire.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), the formal name of the Red Arrows, began life at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire in 1965. Initially there were seven display pilots and ten Gnat jet trainers. The name 'Red Arrows' was chosen to combine the appeal and expertise of two earlier teams, the Black Arrows and the Red Pelicans.