New Arrivals | AiP

The latest AiP arrival at the Bachmann warehouse includes the British Army Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle! 

British Army Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle

British armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) designed for transporting infantry in combat zones while providing direct fire support. Developed by GKN Sankey (now BAE Systems) in the 1980s, it was officially introduced into service in 1987. The Warrior is known for its robust design, featuring thick armour capable of protecting against small arms fire and shrapnel, while offering speed and manoeuvrability on the battlefield. Equipped with a 30 mm RARDEN cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, the Warrior can effectively engage a variety of ground targets.

Throughout its service, the Warrior has been deployed in various conflicts, including the Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and was stationed in Germany with the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) during the Cold War, proving its durability and adaptability in a wide range of environments. Numerous upgrades have been added over the years, enhancing its armour, sighting systems, and mobility to keep it effective in modern combat situations. Efforts to further modernize the vehicle through the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) sought to extend its service life, but recent budget considerations led to plans for its eventual replacement with newer vehicles under the British Army’s modernisation initiatives.

British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) markings with red squares to signify OPFOR (Opposing forces).

1:35 scale model kit from AiP, requires paint and glue. Product No. AIP15001

ALSO AVAILABLE!

HMS Belfast 1942 Royal Navy Cruiser

HMS Belfast 1942 Royal Navy Cruiser HMS Belfast, an improved Southampton-class cruiser, was ordered from Harland & Wolff in 1936, laid down in December that year, and launched on St. Patrick’s Day 1938. Commissioned into the Royal Navy on 5 August 1939, the ship played key roles in major conflicts and peacekeeping over 24 years of service. Shortly after joining the fleet, HMS Belfast struck a German magnetic mine in November 1939, which caused significant damage, keeping it out of service for three years.

Rejoining the fleet in 1942 as the Royal Navy’s largest cruiser, HMS Belfast helped protect Arctic convoys to Russia and participated in the sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst in 1943. In 1944, as flagship of Bombardment Force E, she supported the D-Day landings. After World War II, HMS Belfast saw action in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 before being decommissioned in 1963, ending her active career.

Saved from scrapping by a preservation campaign led by Rear-Admiral Sir Morgan Morgan-Giles, HMS Belfast was turned into a museum ship and opened to the public on 21 October 1971. Moored on the River Thames, she remains a part of the Imperial War Museum, as the last surviving vessel of its type. Since 1994 HMS Belfast has worn Admiralty Disruptive Pattern Camouflage, representing the ship’s WW2 period from late 1942 to mid 1944. Colour references are provided in the kit painting guide.

11 sprues and decks, metal chain, photo-etch. Two-piece hull. Two Walrus seaplanes and display stand included.

L: 534.3 mm, W: 60 mm, Total parts 520+

1:350 scale model kit from AiP, requires paint and glue. Product No. AIP15002

COMING SOON!

British Royal Air Force F-4J(UK) Phantom II “74(F) Tiger Squadron”

The F-4J Phantom II was an upgraded variant of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom fighter, used primarily by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, with enhancements in radar, avionics, and an improved engine for superior air-to-air and ground attack capabilities. Known for its versatility and powerful twin engines, the F-4J served effectively in roles like fleet air defence, close air support, and reconnaissance.

In the mid-1980s, the Royal Air Force (RAF) procured a batch of fifteen refurbished F-4Js to compensate for the deployment of RAF Phantoms to the Falklands. Designated F-4J(UK), these aircraft were assigned to RAF 74 (Fighter) Squadron, famously known as the “Tiger Squadron,” stationed at RAF Wattisham. These UK-specific F-4Js were modified to fit RAF operational needs and were marked with the Tiger Squadron’s distinctive tiger insignia. Although they only served from 1985 to 1991, pending introduction of the Tornado F3, the F-4J(UK) Phantoms contributed to the RAF’s air defence during a transitional period and reinforced 74 Squadron’s legacy.

We are indebted to the British Phantom Aviation Group for the opportunity to survey airframe ZE360 currently undergoing restoration, and to the Imperial War Museum Duxford for access to ZE359 which has reverted to full US Navy condition.

Comprehensive markings and stencils for the fifteen RAF F-4J(UK)s ZE350–ZE364.

1:48 & 1:72 scale model kitS from AiP, requires paint and glue. Product No’s AIP15006 & AIP15007