Airfix Kits

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 Spitfire gained immortality during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. The main role was to intercept and destroy the Luftwaffe's fighters whilst the Hurricanes of the RAF attacked the incoming bombers.

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 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.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is Europe's premier swing role fighter jet. Designed and constructed by a consortium of companies under contract to the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain. The RAF declared it combat ready in 2007.

First flying in 1939, the Focke-Wulf Fw190 proved to be an immediate threat to RAF fighters when introduced in late 1941, being faster and more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire V6 then in service. This A-8 version was the most numerous and heavily armed variant, which entered service in 1944, as an attempt to stop the Allied daylight raids, however, by then the new Allied fighters had begun to outclass it.

Designed specifically to allow aircrews to effectively secure vital reconnaissance imagery from above the battlefields of the Western Front, the Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c Scout was an aircraft with very few vices. Easy to fly and extremely stable in the air, the aircraft allowed Allied military planners to obtain clear and detailed photographs of enemy positions and troop concentrations.

By 1943 the RAF needed a dedicated ground attack fighter, and the Typhoon was suited to the role. The powerful engine allowed the aircraft to carry a load of up to two 1,000lb (454kg) bombs. From September 1943, Typhoons could also be armed with four, eight or in some cases even 12 "60lb" RP-3 rockets.