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Special
Special
The Yak-38 Is Back for Its Maiden Flight Anniversary and Is Here to Stay
On September 22nd, 1970 the Soviet VTOL light strike aircraft Yak-38 performed its maiden flight — it was the first operational carrier-based VTOL fixed-wing aircraft in the Soviet Navy. It was designed especially for Project 1143 heavy aviation cruisers and served almost exclusively on them.
  • 26
  • 22 September 2023
Special
The Mi-24D Returns to Celebrate the Anniversary of Its First Flight!
September 19th, 1969 marked the maiden flight of the first Soviet specialized attack helicopter, Mi-24. The legendary Hind became the most famous Soviet and later Russian attack helicopter — as well as most produced, its numbers being second only to the American Apache.
  • 12
  • 20 September 2023
Special
A Decal and Two Fighters to celebrate the U.S. Air Force’s Birthday
The history of American aviation goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, but the U.S. Air Force became an independent branch of the Armed Forces only after World War II — on September 18th, 1947. Air Force Day was established the same year — but it was celebrated only for a couple years, because in 1949, Armed Forces Day was established that united the celebrations of all branches of the U.S. military.
  • 8
  • 18 September 2023
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RAF Spitfires and a Decal available for Battle of Britain Day
On September 15th 1940, a decisive battle of the Battle of Britain took place over the skies of London, with the defenders being victorious. After this defeat, Germany reconsidered its plans for an invasion and instead began nightly bombings of the defiant island nation of Britain.
  • 9
  • 15 September 2023
Special
The YP-38 is back for the Anniversary of its first Flight!
The YP-38, a prototype of the American heavy two engine fighter Lockheed P-38 Lightning, took to the skies for the first time on September 17th, 1940. The P-38 was the only aircraft that was mass produced in the US throughout the entire World War II. It was actively used as a fighter on the Pacific Theatre, and also did a lot of reconnaissance over Europe.
  • 4
  • 15 September 2023
Special
The KV-2 (ZiS-6) and a Decoration for Tanker’s Day!
Armored and mechanized forces played a pivotal role in the USSR's victory in World War II. In their honor in 1946 a professional holiday of tankers and tank constructors was established. It is celebrated every second Sunday of September, commemorating the breakthrough of the Soviet armored forces during the East Carpathian Strategic Offensive that took place on September 11th, 1944.
  • 14
  • 8 September 2023
Special
Victory in WWII Anniversary Decal
On August 15th, 1945, Japan announced its surrender, marking the end of hostilities on the Pacific Theater. However, the official end of World War II came on September 2nd, when Japan signed the act of capitulation. This date is celebrated in the US as the Victory over Japan Day.
  • 14
  • 1 September 2023
Special
80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Battle of Kursk
August 23rd, 1943 marked the end of the Battle of Kursk — the largest tank battle in history, with around 3000 tanks from the German side and over 5000 tanks from the Soviet side. It was the first time a German offensive on the Eastern Front failed with no significant gains. The decisive victory of the Red Army led to it gaining a strategic initiative and defined the way the rest of the war was fought.
Special
MiG-15bis ISh returns for official service anniversary
Development of the MiG-15 jet fighter lasted throughout the entirety of 1947, while over half of 1948 was spent testing it. On August 23rd, 1948, two days before the official end of the tests, the MiG-15 officially entered service with the USSR Air Force. It prevailed against its competitor, the La-15, and became the most produced military jet aircraft in history.
  • 23 August 2023
Special
“Sky Dragons” decal and a UH-1C XM-30 for US Airborne Day
On August 16th, 1940, 48 volunteers from the US Army performed an official parachute drop for the first time. To commemorate this event, in 2002 August 16th was named the US National Airborne Day. Airborne forces played a big part of World War II: both in the Pacific and the European theaters. The XVIII Airborne Corps was created in 1942, in 1944 it participated in Operation Overlord, and today it remains as a rapid deployment force, earning the nickname "America's Contingency Corps."
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A Decal and Lanovski's P-47M-1-RE for Polish Armed Forces Day
On August 15th, 1920 the Polish forces delivered a crushing counterattack against the Red Army during the Battle for Warsaw. This decisive moment in the Soviet-Polish War is commemorated in Poland as the Armed Forces Day — with a military parade and placing wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Special
The Cuban MiG-17AS is back for GE and a Russian Air Force Decal
On August 12th, 1912 a document was signed that marked the beginning of the first air force of the Russian Empire. Later this date was used as the basis for holidays celebrating aviation: in the Soviet Union the Air Fleet Day has been celebrated on August 18th since 1931, in 1992 it was moved to the third Sunday of August, and since 2006 the Air Force Day is celebrated on August 12th.
Special
Incredibly Fast Lightning Jet Fighter Temporarily Available for GE
On August 4th, 1954 the Lightning jet fighter, developed by English Electric, took to the skies for the first time. Outfitted with two vertically stacked Rolls-Royce Avon engines, it could reach a top speed of over Mach 2 and perform a sustained supersonic flight without using an afterburner. Due to its amazing speed and rate of climb pilots have described flying it as "being saddled to a skyrocket".
  • 7
  • 4 August 2023
Special
T-69 II G and a decal to commemorate PLA Day
Each year China celebrates its army on the 1st of August. Today the People's Liberation Army is the largest in the world — over 2 million serve in it. As a part of UN missions, Chinese soldiers participated in peacekeeping missions across the entire world: from Lebanon and Sudan to Haiti and Mali.
Special
“Stroyny” and “Neustrashimy” for Golden Eagles
Destroyers “Stroyny” and “Neustrashimy” from the Soviet blue water research tree are available for purchase for Golden Eagles.
  • 9
  • 28 July 2023
Special
T-2 Early Available again for the Anniversary of its First Flight
After World War II Japan was left without its own jet fighters and by the mid 60s it began work on a supersonic training jet. A prototype developed by the Mitsubishi corporation performed its maiden flight on July 20th, 1971, and on November 19th of the same year it became the first aircraft developed in Japan to break the speed of sound.
  • 4
  • 20 July 2023
Special
Hunter FGA.9 Celebrates the Anniversary of its First Flight
On July 20th, 1951, the Hawker Hunter jet fighter took to the skies for the first time. Thanks to its speed, reliability and easy maintenance it quickly became a favorite of pilots across the world: over 20 countries used Hunters, while Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) still employs them in its air force today.
Special
A Decal and Two Aircraft for Bastille Day
On July 14th, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille — a prison fortress that became one of the symbols of French absolute monarchy. Since 1880 this date has been celebrated as the main national holiday in France, with an annual military parade held on Champs-Élysées, one of the oldest and largest in the entire world.