Junkers Ju 87B Stuka – II/StG 77, Luftwaffe, Orthofer, Breslau, Germany, 1939 DISPLAYED

Corgi Aviation 1/72 scale AA32515: Junkers Ju 87B Stuka of II/StG 77, Luftwaffe, Major Alfons Orthofer, Breslau, Germany, 1939. Limited Edition of 1,400 models

Length 6.25 inches Wingspan 7.5 inches

PLEASE NOTE: Model has been on display and has a couple of minor paint imperfections, as per the photos. All complete but certificate is creased.

Stuka Ju 87B-1, S2+AC was piloted by Major Alfons Orthofer of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77. It was specially decorated with the rather menacing sharksmouth for an article in ‘Signal’ magazine whilst based at Breslau Germany in 1939. St.G 77 saw action in both Western Blitzkreig operations (Poland and France/Low Countries). Possibly its most notable sortie was against Fort Fl?malle on May 13th 1940. St.G 77 was actually one of the first units ordered into enemy territory and landed at Bierset airfield whilst it was still being bombarded by Fort Fl?malle. The Gruppenkommandeur very quickly led an attack that silenced the fort and demonstrated the pinpoint accuracy and destructive power that could be achieved by the Stukas. The Stukawaffe flew a total of 300 sorties against French positions that day, with St.G 77 alone flying 201 individual missions.

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 twin 37mm cannons and 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.