Junkers Ju 87 Stuka – Collectors Club 2007, Captive Eagle (1,000 ONLY)

Corgi Aviation 1/72 scale AA32513: Corgi Collectors Club Aviation Archive Special for 2007 is this Junkers Ju 87 Stuka (Captive Eagle 11) werke Nr 5763. It is highly unusual in that it bears the markings of 3 nations (mixed RAF and Italian markings plus faded Luftwaffe Iron Cosses!). An Italian Aircraft from 209a Sqadriglia, it was captured intact on 14 Sep 1941 by British troops when its pilot landed in the desert after running out of fuel. Over the next 3 years it was used extensively as a training aircraft as well as performing enemy recognition duties. It was eventually scrapped due to serious wing structure corrosion. Limited edition of 1,000 pieces.

Length 6.25 inches              Wingspan 7.5 inches

Designed to function as a close support aircraft, the Ju 87 was first flown on September 17th, 1935. The Ju 87 had an innovative design that included automatic dive brakes under each wing—a feature that protected against the consequences of pilot blackout by ensuring recovery from an attack dive. Crewed by a pilot and rear gunner, the Ju 87 had a bomb that swung away from the propeller on an elongated U-shaped crutch. Its inverted gull wings improved pilot-to-ground visibility, gave the undercarriage a shorter height and made the Ju 87 instantly recognizable to its enemies.