Dragon Models 1:72 Warbirds 50184
Messerschmitt Me 262A Diecast Model
Luftwaffe Kommando Nowotny, "White 8", Walter Nowotny, Achmer, Germany, 1944, w/Display Plinth |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Messerschmitt Me 262A | | 5.75" | | 6.75" |
On September 26,1944, Walter Nowotny was appointed CO of Kommando Nowotny, the world's first jet fighter unit, based at Achmer and Hesepe. Kommando Nowotny became operational on the 3rd of October and claimed their first kill, a B-24, on October 7th. Nowotny began the practice of using prop-driven conventional fighters as cover against the roaming Allied fighters during the takeoffs and landings of the Me 262. The Me 262 was especially vulnerable as the turbojet's relatively low thrust resulted in slow acceleration. It took some time for the jet to get up the speed. But once there, no Allied aircraft could touch it. Adolf Galland, Luftwaffe General of Fighters, visited Achmer for an inspection. Nowotny was going to give Galland his pilot's flight reports. A flight of B-17 bombers was reported, so the unit took off, about six jets in the first wave, then another. The Fw-190Ds were waiting on the runway cover their return of the jets. Galland was in the operations shack, monitoring the pilot's radio transmissions. Several bombers were called out shot down, and Nowotny radioed that he was approaching. The flight leader on the ground, Hans Dortenmann, requested permission to take off to assist, but Nowotny said no, to wait. The defensive ant-aircraft battery opened fire on a few P-51 Mustangs that approached the field, but they were chased away. The jets were coming in. One Me-262 had been shot down, and Nowotny reported an engine failure before making a garbled transmission referring to "burning". Galland watched Nowi's approach, heard the sound of a jet engine, and saw his Me 262 A-a1 (W.Nr. 110 400) "White 8" dive vertically out of the clouds and crash at Epe, 2.5 kilometers east of Hesepe. The explosions rocked the air, and only a column of black smoke rose from behind the trees. The wreckage was Nowotny's plane. After sifting through it, the only salvageable things found were his left hand and pieces of his Diamonds decoration. The unit was disbanded shortly after Nowotny's death. It had claimed 22 aircraft with a loss of 26 Me 262s, eight of which were due to accidents and mechanical failures.
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 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Dragon's 1:72 scale Me 262 is constructed almost entirely of solid diecast metal. Both nose and main landing gear are constructed as complete subassemblies for quick and easy ground configuration. The diecast metal engine nacelles with turbofan and exhaust details are fitted almost seamlessly to the model's solid metal wing. The canopy can be configured in the open position to reveal a wonderfully detailed cockpit interior with pad-printed front and side instrument panels, control stick and simulated seat belts. The series includes the single-seat "A" variant and the two-seat "B" variant in the trainer and nightfighter (with nose-mounted radar antenna) configurations.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Dragon Models "Dragon Wings 1:72 Warbirds Series" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircaft.
Dragon Models "Dragon Wings 1:72 Warbirds Series" 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.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moveable control surfaces.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
