By the turn of the events, at the very begging of the first Balkan war, entirely unexpectedly an example of R.E.P type F fell into the hands of the Serbian Army. This example was ordered by the Ottoman empire, and when the war started it was crated in a railway wagon within a composition which was at the time located at the railway station in Toponica near Niš. Even though Serbia later had to pay for the confiscated example, “the present” was welcomed by the Serbian Army Command which hurriedly worked to equip and to organize its own air force. This book describes the use of the sole example of R.

Destroyers of Project 30bis, also referred to as the Smelyi-class (NATO: Skoryi-class), is a series of 70 Soviet destroyer ships built after the Second World War in the years 1950-1953. It was the most extended postwar series of destroyers in the world. The ships of Project 30bis were created as a continuation of large destroyers from World War II, which were part of Projects 30 and 30K. However, in comparison to the 30 and 30K project destroyers, the new ships were slightly larger, and their hull was welded entirely. Moreover, the appearance of the superstructures changed, the armament was slightly modified, and more sophisticated electronic equipment was installed. The propulsion system was also modernized, increasing the power of the boilers. The project was developed in 1946 and approved in January 1947. The construction of ships commenced in 1948. Although the first completed and commissioned on February 5, 1950, destroyer was Bditielnyi (Watchful), the entire series was named after the eighth destroyer Smelyi (Courageous), which was commissioned on March 19, 1950. This ship was used in the Gdansk Bay in the region of Baltijsk, Russia, for both state tests, and project qualifications. On the other hand, in the West, this type of ship began to be referred to as Skoryi-class, after the first identified ship. The battleships were built in four shipyards: Leningrad, Komsomolsk, Nikolayev, and Severodvinsk. The construction of 85 vessels commenced, of which 70 vessels were completed, and the remaining ones were resigned.

The Russian cruiser Varyag is one of the most exciting and remarkable battleships concerning construction and armament, serving the USSR Navy during the Cold War. The ship was built in 1979-1989 as one of the four large missile cruisers of the project 1164. NATO designated Varyag as Slava. The battleship has unique shape dominated by the complex of superstructures with electrical equipment system antennas on top as well as SM-248 launchers of the 4K80 Bazalt system along the sides. The missile cruisers of the project 1164 to which, apart from Varyag, also belong Moscow (ex-Slava), Marshal Ustinov (ex-Admiral Lobov), and Ukraine (ex-Komsomolets/Admiral Flota Lobov) were one of the best in their class at the time with massive firepower. Because of technologically advanced missiles, they were called "aircraft carrier killers," which was related to their primary purpose – destroying American aircraft carriers.

The first in a new series of Special Editions from the popular digital magazine Narrow Gauge Net documents the life and times of both the locomotive Bazalgette (formerly known as Busy Basil), and the Garden Festival Railways of the late 1980s / early 1990s (the loco was originally built for service at the Stoke-on-Trent Festival). This locomotive was returned to service in spring 2019 to work the railway at the Crossness Engines Trust site – the only heritage railway inside the M25.

This book is compilations of the 4-view color profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the Bell P-39Q Airacobra. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color.

This book is compilations of the 4-view color profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the Hawker Hurricane I. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color.

This book is compilations of the 4-view color profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a Schwalbe. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color

This book is compilations of the 4-view color profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F / Lim-5. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color.

This book is compilations of the 4-view color profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the NAA P-51D-10-NA. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color.

This book is compilations of the 4-view color profile, scale plans and photo details of the single variant of the PZL P.11c. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also photos of the details in B&W and color.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was without doubts one of the most important airplanes in the history of aviation and since the beginning its history was linked to Spain. Only a few months since the maiden flight, three prototypes were sent to Spain to be tested during the Spanish Civil War and shortly after Spain bought E and F series. When Spain acquired the manufacturing under license of the Bf 109 G-2 began the history of the Messerschmitt Bf 109s made in Spain, which gave rise to two aircraft such as the HA-1109 and the HA-1112, with several subtypes. These aircraft manufactured in Spain enlarged the Bf 109 life about 20 years since the end of World War 2 because continued in active service until 1965 coexisting with the 2nd and the 3rd generation jet. Fortunately even today some of the HA-1112s fly majestic as worthy descendants of the great aircraft that was and always will be the Messerschmitt Bf 109. In this text we will remember the amazing history of these made in Spain aircraft.

Ju 87 D (Dora) is another version of this popular dive bomber. Despite the weak armor and less sufficient performance, the Stukas were still produced due to the lack of a successor. However, the plane underwent some modifications that allowed it to be used for a variety of tasks. Ju 87 D had a more efficient water and oil cooling system, a more aerodynamic fuselage and modified crew cabin that was more spacious and better thought out. Dora was driven by one of the two Junkers’ engines: Jumo 211 J-1 with 1420 hp or Jumo 211 P with 1500 hp. Fuel tanks were increased up to the capacity of 1370 l, which allowed to achieve an average flight length of 2 hours and 15 minutes. In the case of using external drop-tanks, the flight time increased to 4 hours. In relation to the Ju 87 B version D could carry much bigger load of bombs. It was a jump from 500 to about 1200 kg of bombs, and with minimum amount of fuel and for short-distance missions, the aircraft could carry up as much as 1800 kg of bombs. Individual variants – from D-1 to D-4 – differed in the used armor and equipment: D-2 – was planned for tropical operations, D-3 – was planned for night (D-3 N) or tropical missions (D-3/trop), D-4 – torpedo-bomber version.

Junkers Ju 88 was one of the most universal aircrafts taking part in the Second World War. It was designed as a fast bomber and it worked perfectly well in this role, especially during low-level airstrikes and shallow diving attacks. It could also be the night fighter, torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The heavy fighter and fighter-bomber version of the Ju 88 was marked as variant C. The aircraft was designed to have strong offensive armament and be able to carry a certain bomb load, as in version A. The Ju 88 C had a solid nose which was adapted for the installation of machine guns and cannons. Usually the weaponry consisted of one MG FF cal. 20 mm cannon and three MG 17 machine guns cal. 7.92 mm. The characteristic gondola under the nasal section of the fuselage was originally kept, but in some units it was dismounted to reduce the airframe’s weight and air resistance, thus increasing the aircraft’s performance. Eventually the Ju 88 C evolved to the night fighter and gained the most popularity in this role.

Messerschmitt Bf 109 F (Friedrich) is one of the most important versions of this famous fighter. It was powered by the same engine (DB 601E) as the preceding Bf 109 E (Emil), but the airframe design differed significantly compared to its predecessor. The plane gained a more aerodynamic profile due to the new engine cowling (the engine had its own starter, which resulted in the extension of the unit), a new, rounder propeller hub and rounded wing tips. In addition, supports were removed under horizontal stabilizers. Bf 109 F had its first flight on January 26, 1939. Two prototypes were built. Two machines in version Bf 109 D were also rebuilt for testing the new engine installations. Friedrich had new under-wing radiators, which were twice as wide and lower than those used in the previous version of the aircraft. They were equipped with a two-part flap regulating the air supply. The prolonged tests and new requirements on the fighter’s armament delayed the implementation of Bf 109 F for series production. The Messerschmitt company had signed a contract with the Reich Ministry of Aviation, which specified the requirements for two variants of the fighter’s weaponry: a light variant with MG151/15 in the fuselage and a heavy variant with MG FF/M in the fuselage.

The German heavy tank Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger is a vehicle known even to laymen. It was heavily armored and armed with a deadly 88 mm gun. Despite their legend, the Tigers were plagued by several technical problems, especially with propulsion, which often did not allow them to fully use their combat potential. The main motivator for designing the Pz.Kpfw. VI was eager to install a Flak 36 antiaircraft gun 36 caliber 88 in the turret. It was a weapon that could destroy Soviet tanks on long distances. In addition, it was necessary to build a tank able to withstand fire from the T-34/76 guns, which effectively eliminated the German medium tanks Pz.Kpfw. III and IV. A competition for a tank that fulfills these requirements was set, and in April 1942 the prototypes of Porshe and Henschel went for the final duel. After a series of tests, the tank developed by Henshel proved to be better. It received the designation Sd.Kfz. 181 Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger Ausf. H1 and went into production at the plants in Kassel-Mittelfeld and Wegmann AG. The tank was plagued by many teething problems, and as a result, many subsequent construction changes were introduced in the course of production. Considering the periods of their implementation, it is possible to extract Tigers of early production series, vehicles after modification and vehicles of late production series.

The Japanese Navy ordered two new battleships in 1912. They were an improved version of Fuso type battleships. Their construction was included in the equipment plan 8-4 of the fleet (8 battleships and 4 heavy cruisers), which was approved by the government and parliament. The amount of money allocated totaled 80 million yen. Design work began in 1913 and all funds for the start of word were collected by July 1914. On May 6, 1915, at the Mitsubishi group shipyard in Nagasaki, a keel for the new battleship was laid. On January 27, 1917, the ship was launched receiving the name Hyuga (after the name of the province). On November 1, 1917, Commander Eitaro Shimodairo became the first captain of the battleship. The Hyuga battleship project was based on the design of the Fuso battleship. Some changes were made to it. The hull was extended by 3 meters, and the armor of the ship's magazines and the central command post were changed. The layout of guns 1 and 2 was changed, which allowed placing the boiler room closer to the bow and fitting the funnels closer to each other. It also allowed putting artillery guns 3 and 4 behind the boiler room. It was not a good choice, because it was necessary to carry the steam ducts to the engine room through the ship's magazines. A better solution was to install the wires under the ship's magazines and over the double bottom.