Oxford Diecast Oxford Aviation AC061
Messerschmitt Me 262A Diecast Model
Luftwaffe KG 51, 9K+EN, Ardennes, Belgium, Operation Bodenplatte, January 1945 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Messerschmitt Me 262A | | 5.75" | | 6.75" |
The Belgian, Dutch and French Allied airbases in a desperate effort to recover Germany's deteriorating WWII fortunes. Having started planning the assault in September 1944, the operation due to take place in December that year was delayed because of bad weather conditions until 1st January 1945, when individual German units were deployed to specific targets.
Our 1:72 scale Messerschmitt Me262a-1a represents an aircraft which was part of the Kampfgeschwader 51 ( KG (J) 51) unit tasked alongside Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG3) with eliminating the Allied units at the Eindhoven base and Gilze-Rijen airfield. The field contained three Spitfire Squadrons and eight Typhoon units of the RAF and RCAF. KG51 contributed around 21 of their 30 Messerschmitt Me262 jet to the action. The damage done to Eindhoven was significant and although the operation achieved some surprise and tactical success, it was ultimately classed as a failure. The German assault did not achieve their required air superiority and also they lost too many of their pilots. A great many Allied aircraft were destroyed on the ground but as they were empty, there were very few Allied aircrew casualties. The aircraft were also replaced within a week of the attack, negating any temporary advantage for the enemy.
The Me262 is decorated in the dark green/dark brown/pale grey camouflage scheme with pale grey underside. The upper markings are printed white and on the underside, the decoration is printed in black and white. Markings on the fuselage appear in red and white with some fine detailing to the nose cone, engine front edges and the tail fin tip, all masked in red. The nose, engine and tail bands are painted white. The exhaust cones and cannon barrels are black and a final touch sees the engine face and Pitot tube finished in silver.
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.
The Oxford Diecast "Oxford Aviation" range presents affordable, ready made diecast models of military aircraft.
Oxford Diecast "Oxford Aviation" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal and plastic construction.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Permanently retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Fixed, non-spinning plastic propellers.
- No pilot figures.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
