January 2023 Warbirds (1 Viewer)

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW438 Junkers Ju 188

Well we have made plenty of Junkers 88's and a Junkers 388 so we thought it was about time we made the very attractive Junkers 188!

The Junkers Ju 188 was a Luftwaffe high-performance medium bomber built during WW2, the planned follow-up to the Ju.88 with better performance and payload. It was produced in limited numbers of approximately 1200 machines, due both to the presence of improved versions of the Ju 88, as well as the increasingly effective Allied strategic bombing campaign against German industry and the resulting focus on fighter production.

By 1942, it was becoming clear that Junkers' candidate for the important Bomber B program, the Ju 288, was not going to be ready anytime soon and that the Ju 88 was increasingly at the mercy of rapidly improving RAF and US fighters. The RLM finally decided that even the small gains in performance in the Ju 88B were worth considering and asked Junkers for an improved aircraft as the Ju 188.The first three production Ju 188 E-1 machines were delivered with BMW engines in February 1943, followed by another seven in March and eight in April. A conversion testing unit was formed up in May and after testing were attached to an operational unit, with the first mission, an attack by three Ju 188E-1s on a factory in Lincoln, taking place on 18 August 1943. By the end of the year, 283 Ju 188s had been delivered (including Ju 188Fs) and two new factories were added to the production effort.

Our 1/32 scale hand carved Mahogany model is available as a limited edition of 3 models, she is priced at $1200 plus shipping and represents a bird flown by Kampfgeschwader 26 (KG 26).
Löwengeschwader' (Lions Wing) was formed in 1939 and had a wide and varied operations during WW2. Serving in theatres from Poland, through the Battle of Britain, the Med and the North Sea. On 20 February 1945 they flew their last combat mission. In May 1945 it began to rescue encircled German soldiers from the Courland pocket as the Russians closed in. The Gruppe's last operation, on 9 May 1945, was approved by the Allies. They surrendered to Allied forces at Gardermoen and Trondhiem, Norway on 9 May 1945.

This JU188 is in it's final markings under German ‘ownership, the aircraft was captured by the British at the end of the war at Lubeck. The aircraft then spent some time at Duxford, along the way it received RAF Roundels. It was proposed to be used by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm station at Gosport for torpedo dropping trials, but this did not take place and the aircraft was scrapped in November 1947.

This model comes loaded down with 2 torpedoes and a very nicely detailed interior. The figures and other accessories in the photos are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.



















That's all for this month guys, thank you for your support and please feel free to contact us should you so wish to at welcome@gunnclub.co.uk. All these machines can be ordered via our website and you also have the option to pay over 6 months if needed.

Best wishes The Gunn Team

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW437 RAF Wessex 28 Sqn Hong Kong

Our third Wessex this month is represented by an RAF helicopter operating out of the then crown colony that was Hong Kong. HK helicopters were unique in that they carried white band markings on their Wessex helicopters, this made for a very striking appearance.
This 1/30 scale model is limited to two in number worldwide and priced at $1400 plus postage.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW436 RAF Wessex 84 Sqn

Our second Wessex this month comes in the markings of an RAF bird operating out of Akrotiri in Cyprus. Once again limited to two in number, this 1/30 scale model is priced at $1400 plus shipping.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW435 RN Wessex HMS Hermes

The Wessex was a British built version of the American H-34 Choctaw, the main difference being the replacement of the piston engine powerplant with a turboshaft arrangement. Developed for the anti submarine role with the RN, it quickly became apparent to the RAF that the Wessex would be a suitable troop carrier and a replacement for its Bristol Belvederes, currently filling that role. The Wessex entered service in 1961 and served with the Royal Navy and RAF for nearly 40 years before being replaced. The Wessex saw combat service in the Indonesian confrontation, the Falklands war in 1982 and was a common sight over Northern Ireland during the recent troubles.

Our 1/30 scale version comes in a striking Royal Navy colour scheme and depicts a machine as she would have appeared aboard the carrier HMS Hermes in 1970. Limited to 2 in number and priced at $1400 plus postage.

The K&C figures and TG accessories are not included and are shown for scale comparison purposes only.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW434 Desert Typhoon

A total of three Typhoons were dispatched to the Middle East for trials and performed very well but it was deemed that their need would be better spent in the European campaign, where there was a shortage of ground attack aircraft.
These Typhoons served with Australian 451 Sqn and one of these machines is replicated here in 1/30 scale.

We have two models available priced at $699 plus postage.

The figures and display mats are shown for scale comparison purposes and are not included with our model.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW433 Hawker Typhoon 'Tony Zweigbergk'

This third Typhoon from Thomas Gunn comes in a striking late war RAF colour scheme with the unusual addition of teeth markings and blue paint to the engine cowling. This particular aircraft was flown by Squadron Leader Tony Zweigbergk a member of 245 Squadron and shows the aircraft as it would have appeared in 1945.

Limited edition of 2 x 1/30 scale models worldwide priced at $699 plus postage. Figurs and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW432 Hawker Typhoon 182 Squadron

RAF 182 squadron was formed in August 1942 at RAF Martlesham Heath, equipped with Hurricanes and then replaced with Typhoon Mk 1A. The Typhoon was fast and powerful but lacked the high altitude capabilities of the Hurricane and the Spitfire, so it’s role was changed to low level interceptor and then fighter bomber. In October 1942 the squadron was fully equipped with Typhoons 1A’s and XM M was one of the first Typhoons modified to carry 500llb bombs. They became fully operational in January 1943 and followed by training to support the Army while continuing its intruder operations in mid 1943. While in June 1943 the squadron joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force, taking on a mobile tactical role.

There were many incidents when the Typhoon was fired on and shot down by Allied flak and also reports of attacks by RAF fighters, as it was very often confused with the FW190, ironically the aircraft which rapidly increased the Typhoons introduction as the FW190 outperformed the then current, RAF Spitfire and Hurricane. Therefore identification markings were added to the Typhoon for potentially easier identification. This Typhoon sports the short lived white nose scheme and 'D-Day' style black and white stripes underneath the wings in order to avoid friendly flak fire.

Limited edition of 2 x 1/30 scale models worldwide and priced at $699 plus postage.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW431 Hawker Typhoon 'Jiri Manak'

At the time of its introduction in 1941, the Typhoon ‘Tiffie’ was the first 400mph fighter in the RAF. Initially designed, first drawn up in 1937, as a replacement for the Hurricane in the medium to high interceptor role. The Typhoon development process was not plain sailing, at one point the RAF cancelled the development, but with a pressing demand it was reinstated as it was the only aircraft capable of intercepting the FW190 at low altitude. It was used with notable success to intercept the Luftwaffe low level 'tip and run' raids plaguing southern England. Pilots from 486 NZ Sqn claiming 20 fighter bombers and 3 bombers between October 1942 and July 1943 in their Typhoons whilst intercepting these types of raids.

The ‘Tiffie’ found it’s true calling with the introduction of 4 x Hispano wing cannons and addition underwing ordinance, such as rockets and bombs, now the Typhoon became one of the RAF's most effective ground attack aircraft. In the summer of 1944 during 'Overlord' and the Normandy breakout the Typhoon came into its own. Feared by the Germans, Robert Rogge recalled seeing Typhoon fighters overhead as he fought in the Canadian Army in Normandy:
The Tiffies were big planes for single-seaters and the under-slung radiators gave them a bulldog look.... When the rocket smoke squirted out, it looked like the plane had been hit. Then the fiery red rockets shot ahead, trailing white smoke to their targets. Nothing could stand up to a Tiffie rocket, not even a Tiger tank.
The Germans feared and hated the Tiffies. They had helped make the hell of Falaise. Everything they attacked was reduced to a fearsome shambles.

During the Western European campaign the amount of tanks and other armoured vehicles claimed by Typhoon pilots has been questioned, however their effect over the battlefield is best described below by Horst Weber, an SS panzergrenadier serving with Kampfgruppe Knaust south of Arnhem in the later stages of Market Garden.Weber. He recalled that, during a battle with British 43rd Wessex Division on September 23[SUP]rd[/SUP] 1944,
"We had four Tiger tanks and three Panther tanks. We were convinced that we would gain another victory here, that we would smash the enemy forces. But then Typhoons dropped these rockets on our tanks and shot all seven to bits. And we cried... We would see two black dots in the sky and that always meant rockets. Then the rockets would hit the tanks which would burn. The soldiers would come out all burnt and screaming with pain."
With the end of the war in Europe the Typhoon’s specialised role was finished and it quickly disappeared from service.

Our First Typhoon was flown by S/L. Jiri Manak a Czech serving in the RAF. He was Commanding Officer in 198 Squadron RAF Manston, Kent before being shot down and captured by the Germans.
Manak's score was two Me109’s shot down, two Fw109’s damaged, one locomotive destroyed, nine locomotives damaged, one barge destroyed, three barges set on fire, and further boats, wagons, aerodromes etc damaged. He survived the war and died in Prague on December 29[SUP]th[/SUP] 1992.

Decorations and Honours: Distinguished Flying Cross, four times Czechoslovak War Cross of 1939, three times Medal for Gallantry and the French Croix de Guerre avec palme bronze.
There is a Prague Street named in his honour.

Limited edition of 2 x 1/30 scale models available priced at $699 each plus postage.
The figures and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

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Dear all, as we have now completed the majority of our figure orders for January we now move onto our first aircraft newsletter for 2023 featuring some new and exciting additions to the TG inventory. As most of these aircraft are only available in limited numbers they present an opportunity for the collector to acquire a unique piece not often available elsewhere. If you look at the way the paint 'sits' on our Mahogany models you can see that it is a quality item and coupled with the detailed interior makes these very desirable items for the serious collector.

Once again a big thank you to Mark Dyer and others who prefer not to be mentioned with their help in the research and production of these models.

All our aircraft now come with their own stands and can be displayed in flying mode if required.
This month is a little different in that rather than release five of one aircraft in the same markings, we are offering more aircraft variants but in smaller numbers.

 

[MLH13]

Another brilliant showing of aircraft, TG! The Hawker Typhoon 'Jiri Manak' is tugging at my wallet. {sm4}

Mark

 

[warbirdfan]

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Dear all, as we have now completed the majority of our figure orders for January we now move onto our first aircraft newsletter for 2023 featuring some new and exciting additions to the TG inventory. As most of these aircraft are only available in limited numbers they present an opportunity for the collector to acquire a unique piece not often available elsewhere. If you look at the way the paint 'sits' on our Mahogany models you can see that it is a quality item and coupled with the detailed interior makes these very desirable items for the serious collector.

Once again a big thank you to Mark Dyer and others who prefer not to be mentioned with their help in the research and production of these models.

All our aircraft now come with their own stands and can be displayed in flying mode if required.
This month is a little different in that rather than release five of one aircraft in the same markings, we are offering more aircraft variants but in smaller numbers.

When will the Emily be released, which could be seen in the pictures from the factory a few weeks ago?

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

When will the Emily be released, which could be seen in the pictures from the factory a few weeks ago?

Not for a while, gives you time to save up though if you are considering it! We only have 2 available please note and 1 has sold already. Talking of flying boats, we also have more Sunderland's and Catalina's in the works.