Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA35710
Messerschmitt Me 262A Diecast Model
Luftwaffe 8./KG 6, Red 7 , Franz Gapp, Podersam, Czech Republic, May 1945 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Messerschmitt Me 262A | | 5.75" | | 6.75" |
Direct interference from senior military commanders severely restricted the effectiveness of the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet, as they procrastinated about whether it should be used as a fighter, or a bomber. Luftwaffe pilot Franz Gapp perfectly illustrated this problem - a highly decorated bomber pilot, who flew more than 400 missions, mainly in the Ju-88 fighter-bomber, Gapp transferred to an Me 262 attack unit, where it was hoped the speed of the new jet would see significant strategic bombing successes.
Heavy losses and a shortage of experienced pilots dictated that surviving Me 262 bomber units were amalgamated into ad hoc fighter units, required to defend the Reich against Allied air attacks - despite his bombing credentials, Gapp went on to score a number of victories against US heavy bombers. On 7th May 1945, Gapp flew his Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter towards the west, in an attempt to avoid capture by advancing Soviet forces. He crash-landed his jet into a newly ploughed field near Podersam (Saaz), before destroying his aircraft, thus denying its use by Allied forces.
During the closing stages of the Second World War, the beleaguered Luftwaffe were left hoping that one of Hitler’s wonder weapons would help to stem the tide of increasing Allied attacks, which were taking a withering toll on their numbers. Unfortunately for them, their defeat was simply a matter of time, but not before the German aviation industry managed to show their technological prowess with the introduction of the first operational jet fighter in the world – the sinister looking Messerschmitt Me 262. Even though the Me 262 was highly advanced, it never had the chance to make a significant difference, as Allied air superiority was so significant, that any Luftwaffe airfields still operating aircraft were subjected to almost constant attack – they were literally unable to safely take off, or land.
Designed to meet Adolph Hitler's vision of a high-speed, light-payload ground attack bomber, the Me 262 was first flown on April 18, 1941. As the world's first operational jet aircraft, development of the 262 was dominated by confusion, with Hitler envisioning a bomber and designers envisioning a jet fighter. Capable of outpacing the P-51 Mustang by 120 miles per hour, the 262 was clearly the best fighter plane to serve in WWII but was too late to help the Luftwaffe. Its specialized maintenance requirements and fuel shortages, coupled with aggressive Allied ground attacks prevented it from having any serious impact on the outcome of the war. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Me 262s feature highly detailed inlet and exhaust nacelles. Four cannon ports are detailed on the upper side of the nose with associated shell-casing ejection ports molded underneath. When configured for ground display, exceptional detail can also be seen inside the wheel wells. Corgi's 262 series includes the single-seat A-model and the two-seat B-model. A hand painted pilot figure wearing the typical German fighter pilot uniform, with black leather helmet and jacket, completes this model.
© Copyright 2003-2017 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
