Historical models depicted in this page are from Italaerei (Italeri) 1978/79.
The Airspeed AS 51 "Horsa" was a glider made almost entirely of wood. It was used in several
invasions, but not surprisingly, it is best known for participating in the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
The CANT Z 501 "Gabbiano", a long-range reconnaissance seaplane developed in Italy, was used by the
Italian and German forces mainly for rescue missions in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
The Dornier Do 217 K-1 was the first of the Do 217 series. This plane was equipped with two
1700 HP engines and mainly used as night bomber against Britain. It surpassed in speed, range and load
the previous Heinkel He 111 and Junkers Ju 88 medium bombers, so it was classified as a heavy bomber. It
operated successfully in every war theatre, performing tactical and strategic missions.
The cargo plane Gotha Go 244 was the motorized version of the glider Gotha Go 242. Both planes
were used on every front for transporting large numbers of soldiers into the assault areas.
The Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88 medium bombers constituded the bulk of the German bomber units.
The Heinkel He 111 H-6 was chosen as a torpedo bomber and widely used on anti-ship missions
in the Arctic and in the Mediterranean.
The Heinkel He 111 Z-1 "Zwilling" was an ingenious utilisation of the well-known Heinkel He 111 H-6
bomber in order to produce a multi-engined tug for one huge Messerschmitt Me 321 glider or for three of the smaller Gotha Go 242.
The tests for that purpose were disappointing and this strange aircraft ended being used for supply tasks in the Eastern Front.
The Henschel Hs 126 was designed as a short range scout plane and was used successfully by the
Luftwaffe in the Polish and French campaigns. Later in the war it saw service in many other fronts
including North Africa and Russia.
The Junkers Ju 52 transport plane was the workhorse of the Luftwaffe during all the conflict;
4845 units were built from 1934 to 1944. Used for a large number of tasks, it was a key logistic element
that allowed supplies to reach their destinations in difficult areas and to evacuate the wounded. This
necessity was most obvious in Russia, where communications were often difficult.
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