Historical models depicted in this page are from Italaerei (Italeri) 1978/79, except the Junkers Ju 87, which is from Airfix.
The Junkers Ju 52, familiarly known as "Aunt Ju", was one of the most versatile and famous planes in aviation
history. The seaplane version added even more versatility to this proven design.
The Junkers Ju 86 D-1 was originally planned as a passenger plane in the early 1930s for the
German airline Lufthansa. But already in the first specification it was intended also as a medium bomber
for the still-secret Luftwaffe, and this would be its actual role.
The Junkers Ju 86 E-2 medium bomber, equipped with two 880 HP radial engines, was an improvement
over the earlier versions of this plane.
One of the most effective dive-bombers of the Second World War, the Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" played a
major role in Germany's conquest of Europe and contributed significantly to 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 its shattering scream became synonymous with the
type during the Blitz of 1939/40.
The Junkers Ju 188 multirole aircraft was a much improved version of the Junkers Ju 88. Although
many versions were tried out, planes of the E series were used in air battles, while planes of the D/F
series proved most successful in far-distance reconnaissance.
Being an improved version of the earlier fighter planes LAGG 3 and LA 5, the Lavochkin LA 5 FN
went into action in 1943 with a 1850 HP radial engine and two 20-millimeter guns, ready to match in combat the
famous Messerschmitt Bf 109.
The Messerschmitt Me 321 B-1 "Gigant" cargo glider had to be towed by three Messerschmitt Bf 110
or one Heinkel He 111 Z-1. Its successor, the Messerschmitt Me 323, was instead powered by six engines.
These two aircraft were of the largest ones built during the war, together with the American B-29 super
heavy bomber.
Together with the British-made AS 51 Horsa, the glider Waco CG-4A "Hadrian" was the backbone of the
Allied invasion forces during the D-Day and the Amheim landings.
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