We sincerely hope you enjoy the pictures from this release and would love to hear from you if any of these magnificent models appeal to you. They are all now on our website www.tomgunn.co.uk and can be paid upfront or over an extended monthly period. Alternatively drop us an email to welcome@gunnclub.co.uk to reserve your model.
All Gunn Club members qualify for a 5% discount on the website listed price, joining is free so well worth registering.
"Hellooo Dolly" Pilot. Lt. Colonel Robert Preciado 435[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Fighter Squadron, 479th Tactical Fighter Wing Udorn Air Base, Thailand, 1966.
The F-104 Starfighter had a revolutionary design, with short razor-sharp wings and was the first aircraft to be able to maintain Mach 2 not just in short bursts but during routine flying if required. Earning the plane the nickname "The Missile With A Man In It" it was used by over 15 countries and with over 2,500 built, the last F-104 Starfighter was decommissioned in Italy in 2004.
Designed in the 1950s in the aftermath of the Korean War, where fighters such as the F-86 were unable to claim or out manoeuvre the MIG-15. Lockheed proposed a new fighter meeting the needs of high speed, supersonic level flight, great range and the ability to climb to meet the threat of attacking Russian bombers and fighters. With the capability to carry a multitude of armament, which the Starfighter could, from an internal cannon , through to air to air missiles and nuclear ordinance delivery. The new wing design meant they were so thin, only 0.016 thin [0.41mm], the leading edges had to covered with felt strips to stop personal being injured during construction and maintenance. The USAF first took delivery of 258 Starfighters in 1958, the Starfighter was retired by the US Air National Guard in 1975.
Starfighters in Vietnam: With the US facing an ever increasing threat from MIGs, the 479[SUP]th[/SUP] TFW dispatched the 435[SUP]th[/SUP] TFS Starfighters in April 1965 to Da Nang to provide top cover. However this was with limited success, as the lack of range to be a long range escort fighter eluded the Starfighter, which the North Vietnamese soon realised and just waited for them to turn back before attacking, on a rare occasion they did engage, they had no success for 1 starfighter shot down. The deployment ended in December 1965. Starfighters were redeployed in May 1966, from Udorn Air Base, Thailand. They did return to Vietnam between June 1966 and August 1967 and during this time F104's flew a further 2,269 combat sorties.
Starfighters also served with a multitude of air forces around the world including Germany, Pakistan, Spain and Taiwan.
Our new 1/30 scale F104C Starfighter represents one of the aircraft from that deployment, ‘Hellooo Dolly’ was named after the squadron commander Lt. Colonel Robert Preciado wife Dolly and the long ‘Hellooo’ is after the Broadway Musical. The deployment saw the Starfighters used in the ground attack role as well as fighter missions. The aircraft took part in Operation Bollo, whist trying to tempt MIGs into air combat, the Starfighter squadron did not engage, but did suffered losses from AA fight and SAMs. Replace in Vietnam by the F-4 Phantom, the remaining Starfighters were sent to the ANG.
Colonel Robert Preciado died peacefully at the age of 92 at his home on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 in San Bernardino, CA. A veteran whose military service totalled 29 years and covered 3 wars.
We have 3 x 1/30 scale Starfighters available priced at $850 plus postage.
The TG accessories and KC figures are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.
WOW445 & 446 Bell UH-1 Iroquois Helicopter
The Huey, as is the P51 Mustang and the Flying Fortress, is an instantly recognisable aircraft to those of us who have an interest in military history. The Huey for many people is the definitive symbol of the Vietnam War and over 60 years since its maiden flight, is still in frontline service with a multitude of armed forces across the world.
Following the US Army evaluation of the use of helicopters, mainly the H-13 and the H-19, in the Korean War. Military pioneers such as General’s James M Gavin and Hamilton Howze pushed the concept of air mobility in the 1950s, but needed a helicopter to make it work and the Huey made it possible. The US Army issued a tender for a helicopter for primarily casevac missions, suitable also for general military use and training aircraft. Bell was announced the winners of the tender in 1955 and the Huey was born. President of the Bell Corporation said he was told by an Army Officer “This will become our truck of the air”
The helicopter was designated HU-1 and officially named ‘Iroquois, in keeping with the Army Practice of naming its helicopters using Native American tribal names or words., however, from the designation of HU-1 it instantly received the nickname ‘Huey’. Developed continued and in under 6 years the size of the helicopter increased, from its original capacity of being about to carry 6 troops or 2 medivac cases, this was increased to 12 troops or 6 medivac cases.
A multitude of further developments has made the Huey one of most wide used, probably the most widely used helicopter in the world, seeing service in Vietnam and right through to the second Gulf War and beyond. However, the Huey got its legendary status in the Vietnam War, flying over 36 million missions in its three main roles, slick [troop transport], Gunship [armed] and Dustoff [medical evacuation].
Our first 1/32 scale UH-1 WOW445 is a US army variant adorned with sharks teeth markings, this model is limited to 2 in number worldwide and is priced at $1200 plus postage. The second model WOW446 is a USMC version and is also limited to 2 models worldwide.
The TG accessories and KC figures are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included with the model.
Mustang P51D Lil Margaret Captain Clyde B East 10[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Group 15[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron ETO 1945
Our second 1/30 scale P-51 Mustang was flown by Captain Clyde B East, who was credited with 13 WW2 victories. The Mustang's name 'Lil Margaret' was named after his wife and he scored the majority of his victories in this aircraft. In November 1942 he earned his wings after joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. He flew 26 missions in a RAF Mustang Mk. I. He voluntarily transferred to the USAAF in January 1944 and was assigned to 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
On June 6[SUP]th[/SUP] 1944 he shot down an FW-190, first victory on D-Day. East won the first of his Distinguished Flying Cross’s when he flew in support of Patton’s Third Army an artillery director during an attack on the Trier Railway Marshalling yards. He dodged flak for close to 2 hours as he flew at attitudes as low as 300 feet. In WW2 he flew over 250 missions, totalling 400 hours. Captain East was awarded 2 DFCs, a Sliver Star and the Air medal with 36 Oak Leaf Clusters.
In the Korean War he flew 130 recon missions in RF51s, RF 80s and T 33s. Rising in rank to Major and commanding the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
In 1959 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel he flew recon missions over Cuba, during the Missile Crisis. For which he earned his fourth DFC. In 1964 he commanded a Voodoo unit in South Vietnam during the Gulf of Tonkin incident. East retired in 1965 and died on July 14[SUP]th[/SUP] 2014. His autobiography is called ‘The Way It Happened’.
Limited to 3 pieces worldwide and priced at $699 plus postage. The TG/K&C figures & TG accessories are not included with the model and are shown for scale comparison purposes only.
The North American Mustang was possibly the best piston engine fighter ever made. The P51’s ability to offer long range fighter escort, gave the Allied heavy bombers the capability to take the war to the heart of Germany.
The P51 had a remarkable birth, the engineering prototype was designed and built in 102 days, by a team headed by J.H Kindleberger of North American Aviation, in response to a requirement for the RAF. The P51 proved initially to be a great aircraft at low level flight, but not so great at higher levels flight which was required for bomber escort. With the Allison engine replace by a Rolls Royce Merlin variant, modifications to armament and pilot view, the Mustang was then transformed. Serving in all WW2 theatres, in all roles, meeting Axis piston fighters on equal terms, providing long range bomber escort and also operating in the ground attack role.
Later the Mustang went on to serve in the Korean war and was still being used during the 1970’s during Central American conflicts.
WOW443: Our first Mustang on offer this month is a very attractive variant that served with the RAF in Italy. The RAF in the Mediterranean theatre received 277 Mk III Mustangs and 46 Mk IV Mustangs. After WW2 the last land based Mustangs with 64 Sqn, were replaced with De Havilland Hornets in 1946. Whilst in 1947 Tempest Mk VI’s replaced the last Mustangs in service with 213 Cyprus based squadron. This 1/30 scale version limited to 2 pieces worldwide and priced at $699 plus postage.
The K&C figures and TG accessories are not included with the model and are shown for scale comparison purposes only.
Dear all, welcome to our February 2023 Aircraft newsletter featuring a new selection of our latest warbirds.
We are now up to serial 400+ on our Warbirds with many more in the pipeline for 2023.
A big thank you to Mark Dyer with his assistance and others who prefer not to be named in their research and development of these models, it really has been invaluable.
The majority of our aircraft now come with their own stands and can be displayed in flying mode if required.
Mustang P51D Lil Margaret Captain Clyde B East 10[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Group 15[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron ETO 1945
Our second 1/30 scale P-51 Mustang was flown by Captain Clyde B East, who was credited with 13 WW2 victories. The Mustang's name 'Lil Margaret' was named after his wife and he scored the majority of his victories in this aircraft. In November 1942 he earned his wings after joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. He flew 26 missions in a RAF Mustang Mk. I. He voluntarily transferred to the USAAF in January 1944 and was assigned to 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
On June 6[SUP]th[/SUP] 1944 he shot down an FW-190, first victory on D-Day. East won the first of his Distinguished Flying Cross’s when he flew in support of Patton’s Third Army an artillery director during an attack on the Trier Railway Marshalling yards. He dodged flak for close to 2 hours as he flew at attitudes as low as 300 feet. In WW2 he flew over 250 missions, totalling 400 hours. Captain East was awarded 2 DFCs, a Sliver Star and the Air medal with 36 Oak Leaf Clusters.
In the Korean War he flew 130 recon missions in RF51s, RF 80s and T 33s. Rising in rank to Major and commanding the 15[SUP]th[/SUP] Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
In 1959 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel he flew recon missions over Cuba, during the Missile Crisis. For which he earned his fourth DFC. In 1964 he commanded a Voodoo unit in South Vietnam during the Gulf of Tonkin incident. East retired in 1965 and died on July 14[SUP]th[/SUP] 2014. His autobiography is called ‘The Way It Happened’.
Limited to 3 pieces worldwide and priced at $699 plus postage. The TG/K&C figures & TG accessories are not included with the model and are shown for scale comparison purposes only.
We sincerely hope you enjoy the pictures from this release and would love to hear from you if any of these magnificent models appeal to you. They are all now on our website www.tomgunn.co.uk and can be paid upfront or over an extended monthly period. Alternatively drop us an email to welcome@gunnclub.co.uk to reserve your model.
All Gunn Club members qualify for a 5% discount on the website listed price, joining is free so well worth registering.
Gorgeous releases this month! Lots to be tempted by, but I think I’m going to hold out for one of the HO-229s I saw under construction in the video of your workshop
Yes they all look great, space and budget means I and I'm sure many others have to pass on them unfortunately.
Still am waiting for the figures, release of the Viet Minh which has been put back because of issues in China but with releases being made by other makers can sometimes mean I miss out on TG.
But come on TG give us up to date info !
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