MESSERSCHMITT ME 262B LUFTWAFFE 1./KG, GERMANY 1944 - CORGI AA35708 1/72

The Me 262B-1a was the 2 seat trainer version of the single seat Me 262 jet fighter that entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1944. Development of a training variant became an urgent requirement due to the high number of accidents suffered by Me 262 units, most of which were caused by technical problems arising from the newly developed turbojet engines or as a result of undercarriage malfunctions. To help familiarise Me 262 pilots with the new jet aircraft, the cockpit area of the single seater was re-designed in order to accommodate an instructor in a tandem seating arrangement. This required the removal of an internal fuel tank so provision was made for two 66 gallon auxiliary tanks to be carried beneath the forward area of the fuselage. The standard armament fit of 4 x 30mm cannon in the nose was retained. Only 15 examples of the Me 262B-1a trainer had been produced by the end of World War 2, although its design concept was instrumental in the development of the Me 262B-1a/U1 nightfighter.

Messerschmitt Me 262B
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.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

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 honoured.

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 presentation 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.