International British Modeler

International British Modeler Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from International British Modeler, Stratham, NH.

I’m a retired Mechanical Engineer and this page is dedicated to my love for military aviation and scale modeling that I've wanted to do for the last 50 years but was too busy with life, until now! I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer who is now enjoying his freedom from the shackles of a working life, doing hobbies that I never had time for... Model Building, Oil Painting, Gaming and Video Editing!

06/01/2026

Hi Guys,

Here's a sneak preview at tomorrow’s (JUNE 1st) “FIRST FLIGHT ANNIVERSARY” aircraft.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 2002...The Toyota TAA-1 (also referred to as the TA-1) was a prototype ge...
05/31/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 2002...

The Toyota TAA-1 (also referred to as the TA-1) was a prototype general aviation aircraft substantially built, and test flown by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites under contract with Toyota.

First flight of the aircraft took place at the Mojave Airport on May 31st, 2002. The project was a joint effort of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc (TMS) to determine if "Toyota's aerodynamics and low-cost production technologies could be applied to the small aircraft sector."
Although Toyota announced the first flight, Company executives have remained relatively silent about the project, and many in the general aviation industry were unaware that the aircraft was even being built.

After several years of negotiation for a potential joint venture with the general aviation piston aircraft market leader of that time, interest in the TAA-1 declined after the initial flight test and that outside partnership development evaporated shortly thereafter.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1995...The Schweizer RU-38 Twin Condor is a two or three-seat, fixed gear...
05/31/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1995...



The Schweizer RU-38 Twin Condor is a two or three-seat, fixed gear, low wing, twin boom covert reconnaissance aircraft.

RU-38 is the US military designation for the aircraft, indicating Utility, Reconnaissance. The Schweizer company model number is Schweizer SA 2-38A Condor and, in its three-seat configuration, Schweizer SA 3-38A Condor.

Based on the Schweizer SGM 2-37 motor glider, a total of five RU-38's were produced between 1995 and 2005. The aircraft remains in production by Sikorsky Aircraft after acquiring Schweizer.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1991...Copyrighted Photo by Anna ZverevaThe Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurize...
05/31/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1991...
Copyrighted Photo by Anna Zvereva



The Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurized, single-engined, turboprop aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland since 1991. It was designed as a high-performance utility aircraft that incorporates a large aft cargo door in addition to the main passenger door. Due to its efficient, high-utility design, the PC-12 is used by a large variety of operators. The main use for the aircraft is corporate transportation, but it is also used by fractional and small regional airlines, air-ambulance operators, and many government agencies, such as police departments and armed forces. The PC-12 is successful with 2,000 deliveries made as of May 2023.

The two prototypes were completed on 1st of May 1991, with the first flight taking place on 31st of May 1991. Swiss certification of the type had been originally planned for mid-1991, but a redesign of the wings (to increase the wingspan and add winglets to ensure performance guarantees were met) delayed progress. On 30th of March 1994, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation issued the type certificate for the PC-12; Federal Aviation Administration approval in the U.S. followed on 15th July 1994.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1978...Copyrighted Photo by Fanjet Aviation The RFB Fantrainer (or Fan Tr...
05/31/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1978...
Copyrighted Photo by Fanjet Aviation



The RFB Fantrainer (or Fan Trainer) is a two-seat flight training aircraft which uses a mid-mounted ducted fan propulsion system. Developed and manufactured by German aircraft company Rhein-Flugzeugbau GmbH (RFB), it has been used by the Royal Thai Air Force.

Development of the Fantrainer commenced during the 1970's. In Germany, it was selected as the winner of a competition for the Luftwaffe's Basic Trainer Requirement, having beaten both the Pilatus PC-7 and Beechcraft Mentor. However, no orders were forthcoming from Germany as it had committed to buying American fighters (F4 Phantom and F-104 Starfighter) which included a deal for pilot training in the United States. At one-point, German flag carrier Lufthansa also reportedly took an interest in the aircraft, noting its jet-like handling. Pilots have confirmed the type to be relatively fuel-efficient and capable of providing a true "jet feel" for a reasonable price. The Royal Thai Air Force operates the FT400 and FT600 versions, using it to train ab initio pilots who then went on to fly the Northrop F-5E fighter aircraft.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1935...Copyrighted Photo by Mark Von RaesfeldThe Fairchild Model 45 was a...
05/31/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 31st, 1935...
Copyrighted Photo by Mark Von Raesfeld

The Fairchild Model 45 was a 1930's American five-seat cabin monoplane aircraft designed and built by Fairchild.

During 1934 the Fairchild company designed a business or executive aircraft with five seats, designated the Model 45. It first flew on 31st of May 1935. The Model 45 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a conventional cantilever tail unit and a retractable tailwheel landing gear. The aircraft was powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Jacobs L-4 radial engine and had a luxury five-seat interior as standard. Flight testing showed that the aircraft performed well, although it was described as sedate.

One aircraft was bought as an executive transport by the United States Navy as the JK-1. After the United States entered the Second World War, two aircraft were impressed into service with the United States Army Air Forces as the UC-88.

05/30/2026

Hi Guys,

Here's a sneak preview at tomorrow’s (May 31st) “FIRST FLIGHT ANNIVERSARY” aircraft.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 30th, 1979...Copyrighted Photo by Air Team ImagesThe Cessna Citation III is an ...
05/30/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 30th, 1979...
Copyrighted Photo by Air Team Images

The Cessna Citation III is an American business jet produced by Cessna and part of the Citation family. Announced at the October 1976 NBAA convention, the Model 650 made its maiden flight on May 30th, 1979, received its type certification on April 30th, 1982, and was delivered between 1983 and 1992. The cheaper Citation VI was produced from 1991 to 1995, and the more powerful Citation VII was offered between 1992 and 2000; 360 of all variants were delivered, while a proposed transcontinental variant, the Citation IV, was canceled before reaching the prototype stage. An all-new design, the Citation III had a 312 sq ft (29 m2) swept wing for a 22,000 lb (10 t) MTOW and a 2,350 nmi (4,350 km) range, a T-tail and two 3,650–4,080 lbf (16.2–18.1 kN) TFE731 turbofans. Its fuselage cross section and cockpit were kept in the later Citation X, Citation Excel and Citation Sovereign.

A single Citation VII is operated by the Spanish Navy as shown in the image.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 30th, 1972...Copyrighted Photo by Alan WilsonThe Northrop YA-9 was a prototype ...
05/30/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 30th, 1972...
Copyrighted Photo by Alan Wilson



The Northrop YA-9 was a prototype attack aircraft developed for the United States Air Force A-X program. The YA-9 was passed over in preference for the Fairchild Republic YA-10 that entered production as the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Criticism that the U.S. Air Force did not take close air support seriously prompted a few service members to seek a specialized attack aircraft. In the Vietnam War, large numbers of ground-attack aircraft were shot down by small arms, surface-to-air missiles, and low-level anti-aircraft gunfire, prompting the development of an aircraft better able to survive such weapons. Fast jets such as the North American F-100 Super Sabre, Republic F-105 Thunderchief, and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II proved for the most part to be ineffective for close air support. The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was the USAF's primary close air support aircraft.

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 30th, 1958...Copyrighted Photo by Jim Ross The Douglas DC-8 (sometimes McDonnel...
05/30/2026

Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - May 30th, 1958...
Copyrighted Photo by Jim Ross



The Douglas DC-8 (sometimes McDonnell Douglas DC-8) is an early long-range narrow-body jetliner designed and produced by the American Douglas Aircraft Company. Work began in 1952 towards the United States Air Force's (USAF) requirement for a jet-powered aerial refueling tanker. After losing the USAF's tanker competition to the rival Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in May 1954, Douglas announced in June 1955 its derived jetliner project marketed to civil operators. In October 1955, Pan Am made the first order along with the competing Boeing 707, and many other airlines soon followed.

The first DC-8 was rolled out in Long Beach Airport on April 9th, 1958, and flew for the first time on May 30th, 1958. Following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in August 1959, the DC-8 entered service with Delta Air Lines on September 18th.

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