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Junkers Ju 87B Stuka
One of the most effective dive-bombers of the Second World War, the Ju 87 Stuka played a major role in
Germany's conquest of Europe and contributed significantly o the campaigns in North Africa and Russia.
Hailed as the supreme weapon by Hitler's propaganda ministry, the Stuka proved to be an effective
dive-bomber against pin-point targets and it shattering scream became synonymous with the type during
the Blitz of 1939/40. This aircraft characteristic aesthetics benefit from the sinister cranked-wing
appearance. The one depicted in the illustration fought in the Battle of Britain.
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
Later version of the famous twin-engined and twin-tailed escort fighter. The illustration depicts an
European-based 8th Air Force Lightning. The armament consisted of one 20-millimeter Hispano cannon and four 12,7
mm Browning machine guns and the engines were two 1425 HP Allison V-1710-89/91.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E
The Messerschmitt Bf 109E was an early version of the powerful Second World War fighter, which added
improved armament and armor to the previous versions BF 109C and BF 109D. It gained for the Luftwaffe
the essential air superiority neede to support early German campaigns in Europe. On the original E
version the armament consisted of two 7,92-millimeter Rheinmetall-Borsig MG-17 machine guns and two 20-millimeter
Oerlikon MG-FF cannons, and the propulsion was given by the 1100 HP Daimler-Benz DB 601A engine. The one
depicted in the illustration fought in the Battle of Britain.
Messerschmitt Bf 109F
Most widespread fighter on the Luftwaffe, the Bf 109 stablished itself as one of the major combat
aircraft of the Second World War, fighting as it did from 1939 until 1945, and being operated by a
number of world countries in the years after the war (most interesting example would be the Czech-made
Avia S-199 variant that Israel employed against the Egyptian Spitfires in the war of 1948). The F
version began replacing the Bf 109E in squadron service in 1941 and proved itself to be a much refined
aircraft with a greater combat performance that out-matched the RAF's early Spitfires. It was issued to
Luftwaffe units throughout Europe and the Mediterranean being flown by some of the German air force's
greatest aces. The armament consisted of two 7,92-millimeter MG-17 machine guns and one 20-millimeter MG-151 cannon,
while the engine was a 1200 HP Daimler-Benz DB 601N.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 and Supermarine Spitfire IX
Two outstanding fighting aircraft of the Second World War, the immortal British Spitfire and the Me Bf
110D, most successful of the sub-types of this twin-engined heavy fighter. Both of these aircraft were
continually developed throughout the war. In the illustration the heavy Me Bf 110 pays the consequences
of being not much suitable for a dogfight combat.
Messerschmitt Me 262
The legendary Me 262 "Schwalbe", with its characteristic and sinister shark-shaped fuselage, was the first jet-propelled
fighter in the world that became operative and the first aircraft built with swept wings. On the time of its introduction
it the fastest aircraft, able to reach 870 km/h thanks to two 900 kg power Junkers Jumo 004 B-1 turbojets, as well as the
most heavily armed fighter aircraft, mounting four 30-millimeter Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 108 cannons on the nose. Postwar variants
of the Me 262 served in the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1957.
Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant
The Me 323 Gigant was the largest cargo plane built in the Second World War, capable of a load of 17
tonnes. It was a motorized version conceived from the huge glider Me 321 by adding six 1160 HP
Gnome-Rhône 14N engines.
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