Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33718
Heinkel He 111 Diecast Model
Luftwaffe, Eastern Front, Operation Barbarossa, 1941 | |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Heinkel He 111 | | 9" | | 12.25" |
If the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the most famous Luftwaffe fighter aircraft of the Second World War, then its direct bomber equivalent had to be the Heinkel He-111, an aircraft which can trace its origins back to the early 1930s and its development as a supposed fast civilian airliner, due to the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. Once the country was no longer concerned with the pretence of trying to plicate the other European powers, the Heinkel showed itself to be a "wolf in sheep's clothing" and thanks to its large, fully glazed "greenhouse" nose, would become one of the most famous aircraft of WWII. Possessing greater range than other Luftwaffe strike aircraft, the Heinkel He-111 would see heavy use during Operation Barbarossa and the air battles which raged over the Eastern Front from 1942 onwards, but not always in its primary strike role. Due to the rapidly deteriorating situation for the Germans, Heinkel He-111 bombers were also used for casualty evacuation and re-supply duties, where they would supplemented the efforts of the lumbering Junkers Ju-52 Trimotors. This particular Heinkel has added rather effective whitewash blotches over its standard camouflage, something which would have looked rather effective against the frozen Russian tundra from above. Whilst attempting a low level bombing attack against targets in the Kaluga area, south of Moscow, this bomber was hit by accurate Soviet anti-aircraft fire and was forced to crash land, thankfully for the crew, safely behind German lines. Although the Soviet High Command had a strong mistrust of the Germans, they did not necessarily want to do anything militarily that would provoke them into an attack.
Also, despite the fact that their massive air force was coming towards the end of a significant period modernisation and reorganization, this workwas still ongoing and on the eve of Operation Barbarossa, even though more modern aircraft were now slowly being introduced, pilot conversion and the general organisation of the force still left much to be desired. With Soviet airfields in the Western districts regularly undergoing air raid drills, when the sirens sounded in the early hours of 22nd June 1941, few on the seventy-six airfields identified for attack by Luftwaffe aircraft that morning actually took any notice, with crews remaining in their tents sheltering from the rain, only rushing to their posts once the explosions started. These early Luftwaffe strikes proved to be devastatingly effective, with reports sent back to headquarters later claiming almost 1500 Soviet aircraft destroyed on the ground alone, figures which seemed so incredible that Herman Goering had them independently verified.In fact, the figures proved to be a little conservative and as German ground troops overran numerous Soviet airfields during their lightning advance, it became clear that this figure was actually well in excess of 2000 aircraft destroyed. In the air it was a different story and despite flying obsolete Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 fighters, Soviet pilots proved to be tenacious and brave, resorting to ramming their German foes if they could get close enough. This would prove to be the sign of things to come and whilst initial German victories were indeed spectacular, the Russian winter and the nation's manufacturing prowess and fighting spirit would soon turn the tables in their favour.
Designed in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, the Heinkel He 111 first flew on February 24, 1935. Masquerading as a transport aircraft, the He 111 was actually a fast medium bomber that went on to become the most prolific Luftwaffe bomber used during the early part of WWII. During its early service career, the He 111 had the distinction of being one of the fastest aircraft in the world, with speeds exceeding 250 mph. It was also versatile, serving as a medium bomber, strategic bomber and as a torpedo bomber. By late 1944 the Luftwaffe halted bomber production, and the He 111 became a transport aircraft. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale He 111 series replicates this famous symbol of the WWII German bomber forces (Kampfwaffe). This model is constructed using only the smallest amount of plastic, with its fuselage and distinctive massive elliptical wing and tail in diecast metal. The large offset "greenhouse" nose canopy allows for easy viewing of the pilot and forward gunner/bombardier lying prone over the bomb site. The model features many defensive machine gun positions, such as a rotating dorsal mounted gunner, waist gunners and an intricate ventral birdcage gondola. Additional features include opening hinged bomb doors to reveal bomb details, an intricate ventral antenna and subassembly landing gear.
© Copyright 2003-2024 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.
