Airfix trio flies high

Three World War II planes are ready to be reconstructed in 1:72 scale, with Airfix releasing the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, the Bell P-39Q Airacobra and the Ilyushin Sturmovik.

The Helldiver was tested and rejected by the Royal Navy but saw service with the US Navy (they obviously weren’t as picky). The skill level 2 set has 76 parts and is priced around £5.99.

The Airacobra, instantly recognisable thanks to having its engine behind the cockpit, saw action with both the US Army Air Corps and the Soviet Union’s Air Force. A skill level 1 set, with 37 parts, it is priced around £4.99.

Finally, the Ilyushin Sturmovik is another skill level 2 model with 59 parts, priced around £5.99. This Russian plane excelled at attacking ground targets but had a woeful record in air-to-air combat and was a favourite target of German fighter aces.