July Warbirds (1 Viewer)

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW256 Savoia Marchetti SM.79

The WW2 Italian iconic Torpedo bomber, only 2 available and on our website now

















Five new planes this month and more to come in August 2023 and beyond. We will be breaking through the '500' plane releases in early 2024, which is just 11 years since our first warplane release, so onward and upward to 1000 plane releases. Designing and creating these aircraft is one [of many] things the team at T Gunn enjoys, bringing the aircraft to life and telling the story of the men who flew them with distinction and bravery. As well as our LUFT 46 range and the planes 'what could have been'.

Thank you for reading, the figure release will be out next week and oh wow what a release this will be!

Best wishes The Gunn Team
Thomas Gunn HQ.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

Restocks

WOW081 Mitsubishi G4 Betty, now on our website with only 2 available. This version is the one carrying Admiral Yamamoto when it was shot down, after American intelligence had cracked the Japanese codes and ambushed Yamamoto as he was flying to visit troops in the Pacific theatre.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW470 ARADO E555-1

And now for something completely different, as Monty Python used to say, as this aircraft has the looks and the grace to be part of a Flying Circus.

The Arado E.555 was a long-range strategic bomber proposed by the German Arado company during WWII, in response to the RLM's Amerikabomber project. The E.555 designation was applied to a series of long range jet bomber designs of various sizes, powerplant, crew and weapon load configurations. Fortunately for the Allies no aircraft were developed or constructed and the entire E.555 project was cancelled at the end of 1944.
The aircraft was to be powered using a jet engine which had not completed development as of 1944, the 34.3 kN (7,700 lbf) thrust BMW 018; from two to six of these powerplants in each of the proposed E.555 designs.

Several different E.555 design configurations were proposed and considered; the Arado team's overall goal for the project was an aircraft with high speed, long-range and capable of carrying a four-ton (4,000 kg) bomb load.

With a crew of 3, the E555.1 would have been capable of over 500 MPH or 875km/h and a range of over 3,400 miles or 5400 kilometres. While being a ‘big beast’, with a length of 40ft 6 inches (12.35 metres) and a wingspan of 93ft 2 inches (28.4 metres) and 12 ft 3 inches (3.74 metres] high it still looks like something from a futuristic planet even to this day.

Perhaps the most striking was the E.555-I, the version we are offering to collectors. A six-engine, angular flying wing design with remotely-operated defensive MG turrets.

Our 1/30 is priced at $1400 plus shipping, we only have 3 models available.
The figures and accessories unfortunately are shown for scale comparison purposes and are not included.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW468. Nakajima B6N 1 Model 11

Based at Hyakuri Airfield 1945.

The Japanese name for the Nakajima B6N was Tenzan [Heavenly Mountain], whilst the Allies named the aircraft type the "Jill".

The Nakajima B6N was the Imperial Japanese Navy's standard carrier-borne torpedo bomber during the final years of WW II and the successor to the B5N "Kate". The aircraft first flew in 1941 and there were 1,268 manufactured, however, the long development process meant the aircraft did not enter service until August 1943. Due to its protracted development, a shortage of experienced pilots and the US Navy's achievement of air superiority by the time of its introduction, the B6N was never able to fully demonstrate its combat potential. Originally designed as a carrier-borne aircraft, the loss of the Japanese large carriers and the defence of the Japanese homeland meant the majority of its missions were from land-based airfields.

On 5 November fourteen B6N1s, escorted by four Zero fighters, were sent to attack American shipping anchored off Bougainville. Four B6N1s were lost and no hits on the Americans were scored. Additional attacks on 8 November and 11 November, suffered heavy losses, with only 52 of the original 173 planes from the First Carrier Division making it back to Truk Lagoon in the Philippines on 13th November, among them, just six B6N1 Tenzan's out of the forty that were committed. This was mainly due to the Japanese taking heavy losses when engaged by the US Navy’s F6F Hellcat Fighter.

The B6N1 was extensively used in the Battle of Okinawa, where it was used for Kamikaze missions for the first time.
Our 1/30 is priced at $999 plus shipping and is limited to 4 in number worldwide.

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

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW467 Grumman F4F 3 Wildcat

VMF 224 MF 1 Guadalcanal 1942
Pilot. Robert Edward Galer (24 October 1913 – 27 June 2005)

The Grumman F4F 3 Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that entered service in 1940 with the US Navy. The Wildcat was the only effective fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific Theatre during the early part of WW II. However, many US Naval aviators complained as the Wildcat was generally outperformed by the Mitsubishi Zero, its major opponent in the early part of the Pacific Theatre but held its own partly because, with relatively heavy armour and self-sealing fuel tanks, the Grumman airframe could survive far more damage than its lightweight, unarmoured Japanese rival. Many U.S. Navy fighter pilots were saved by the Wildcat's ZB homing device, which allowed them to find their carriers in poor visibility, provided they could get within the 30 mi (48 km) range of the homing beacon. However, the Zed Baker was wildly inconsistent in practice, especially during the Battle of Midway, when an entire squadron of Wildcats crashed in the sea after failing to locate their carriers.

In all, 7,860 Wildcats were built. During the course of the war, Navy and Marine F4Fs and FMs flew 15,553 combat sorties (14,027 of these from aircraft carriers), destroying a claimed figure of 1,327 enemy aircraft at a cost of 178 aerial losses, 24 to ground/shipboard fire, and 49 to operational causes, an overall claimed kill-to-loss ratio of 6.9:1.

The aircraft we are offering to collectors was flown by Brigadier General Robert Edward Galer, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in aerial combat during the Battle of Guadalcanal. He went on to command Marine Aircraft Group 12 during the Korean War and retired a few years later in 1957.

After WW2 Galer was also awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service in Korea. On August 5[SUP]th[/SUP] 1952, he was shot down behind enemy lines by anti-aircraft fire while leading a flight of 31 warplanes against targets near the North Korean port city of Wonsan. He later admitted he "did a dumb thing": After completing the mission, "I went back to take a picture. And this anti-aircraft gun, he nailed me." He was rescued by a HO3S-1 helicopter flown by 1st Lieutenant E. J. McCutcheon.

For exceptionally meritorious service in combat, he was advanced to Brigadier General upon his retirement on 31 July 1957.

Our 1/30 scale model is priced at $695 plus shipping and is limited to 5 in number worldwide.
The K&C figures and TG accessories are not included and are shown for scale comparison purposes only.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW466 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engined, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft which first flew in 1938. The Warhawk was used by most Allied forces during World War II, and remained in frontline service until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter of World War II, after the P-51 and P-47 by November 1944, when production of the P-40 ceased, 13,738 had been built.

Our Warbird is one flown by NZ Ace Geoff Fisken, below is his story:

In September 1939, at the outbreak of WW2 Fisken volunteered for the RNZAF, but was initially barred from enlisting. At the time in New Zealand, farming was a reserved occupation as it was considered vital for the war effort, and therefore it was not until early 1940 that Fisken was able to enlist, after convincing his employer to release him for service. Following this Fisken was accepted as a pilot and undertook training before graduating as a Sgt Pilot in 1941.

In February 1941, Fisken was posted to Singapore, where he eventually joined 67 Sqn RAF Which was primarily made up of New Zealanders at the time and was in the process of forming at Kallang with 243 Sqn. The Japanese attacked Allied territories in Asia and the Pacific on 8 December 1941. Initially No. 243 Squadron concentrated on the unsuccessful defence of HMS Prince of Wales & Repulse. Fisken was flying one of two Buffaloes to arrive at the sinkings first, describing the scene as "a grey metal bow sticking out of the sea, surrounded by an oil slick and many bodies".
As the Japanese advanced down the Malay Peninsula, Singapore came under an increasing number of bombing raids, and 243 Squadron was tasked with defending the city.

On 16 December, Fisken claimed a victory over a Zero. A fortnight later, on 29 December, he claimed two unidentified Japanese bombers. On 12 January 1942, Fisken claimed a Japanese fighter followed by a Zero two days later on 14 January, being lucky to land after being caught in the explosion of the Japanese plane. On 17 January, he shot down or assisted in the destruction of, three Betty bombers, and four days later brought down another fighter.
By this time, 243 Squadron had lost the majority of its pilots and virtually all its aircraft. As a result, it was merged with Australian 453 Sqn, which continued to operate alongside 488 RNZAF. Fisken claimed another fighter on 1 February. Five days later, he was "bounced" by two Japanese fighters. He nevertheless shot one down but only narrowly escaped the other, being injured in the arm and leg by a cannon shell before the dogfight ended. He was very forunate to be evacuated to New Zealand shortly before Singapore fell to the Japanese.

As a result of his performance in Singapore, Fisken received a commission and was promoted to the rank of pilot officer. In April 1943, he joined No. 14 Squadron at Wigram. Later the squadron was posted to the new Hebrides, before moving to the front line at Guadacanal on 11 June 1943. The following day Fisken destroyed two more Zeroes. On 4 July, flying the colourful P-40 "Wairarapa Wildcat" he had his last victories, destroying a further two Zekes and a Betty. "Wairarapa Wildcat" also had success in the hands of other pilots. NZ3072 was scrapped after the war, but NZ3009 was restored and painted to represent NZ3072 "Wairarapa Wildcat".

In September 1943 Fisken was awarded the DFC, however, he found himself increasingly troubled by the injuries he had received in Singapore, and was medically discharged from the RNZAF in December 1943.

Fisken’s is believed to be 11 confirmed kills and he is considered to be the highest-scoring Commonwealth Ace in the Pacific theatre. Our 1/30 scale model is priced at $695 plus postage, we have 4 available. We don't on on making any more Fisken Warhawks, if you want one then now is the time to grab one.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

WOW469. Dakota III

David Samuel Anthony Lord. VC DFC (18 October 1913 – 19 September 1944)

No information needed on the DC 3, its one of the worlds iconic aircraft since its inception, however it pilots are probably not so well know. Therefore in this release we pay tribute to a heroic officer, David Lord a 30 year old flight lieutenant serving with No. 271 Squadron, RAF during WW2 who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions over Arnhem.

The full citation for Lord's VC appeared in a supplement to The London Gazette on November 9[SUP]th[/SUP] 1945.
Air Ministry, 13 November 1945.
The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:—
Flight Lieutenant David Samuel Anthony LORD, D.F.C. (49149), R.A.F., 271 Sqn. (deceased).
Flight Lieutenant Lord was pilot and captain of a Dakota aircraft detailed to drop supplies at Arnhem on the afternoon of 19 September 1944. Our airborne troops had been surrounded and were being pressed into a small area defended by a large number of anti-aircraft guns. Air crews were warned that intense opposition would be met over the dropping zone. To ensure accuracy they were ordered to fly at 900 feet when dropping their containers.

While flying at 1,500 feet near Arnhem the starboard wing of Flight Lieutenant Lord's aircraft was twice hit by anti-aircraft fire. The starboard engine was set on fire. He would have been justified in leaving the main stream of supply aircraft and continuing at the same height or even abandoning his aircraft. But on learning that his crew were uninjured and that the dropping zone would be reached in three minutes he said he would complete his mission, as the troops were in dire need of supplies.

By now the starboard engine was burning furiously. Flight Lieutenant Lord came down to 900 feet, where he was singled out for the concentrated fire of all the anti-aircraft guns. On reaching the dropping zone he kept the aircraft on a straight, and level course while supplies were dropped. At the end of the run, he was told that two containers remained.

Although he must have known that the collapse of the starboard wing could not be long delayed, Flight Lieutenant Lord circled, rejoined the stream of aircraft and made a second run to drop the remaining supplies. These manoeuvres took eight minutes in all, the aircraft being continuously under heavy anti-aircraft fire.

His task completed, Flight Lieutenant Lord ordered his crew to abandon the Dakota, making no attempt himself to leave the aircraft, which was down to 500 feet. A few seconds later, the starboard wing collapsed and the aircraft fell in flames. There was only one survivor, who was flung out while assisting other members of the crew to put on their parachutes.

By continuing his mission in a damaged and burning aircraft, descending to drop the supplies accurately, returning to the dropping zone a second time and, finally, remaining at the controls to give his crew a chance of escape, Flight Lieutenant Lord displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice.

The C47 Skytrain [and C53 Skytrooper] were military versions of the DC3 airliner. The DC3 first flew in 1935 and was ordered by America’s airlines. With the outbreak of war, these aircraft were diverted to the Allied Air Forces, followed by 10,000 military variants constructed before production ceased in 1946. Japan and the Soviet Union also built over 2000 unlicensed copies.

The RAF received over 1900 Dakotas, with the first arriving in India in 1942. Dakotas served in every theatre of the war, notably in Burma, during the D-Day landings and the airborne assault on Arnhem in 1944.

The last active aircraft left the service in 1970. The Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough operated a former Royal Canadian Air Force example (ZA947) from 1971 until 1993 when it joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Although not so obvious from the photos this model comes with a full cockpit interior (like all of our models). and we only have two 1/32 scale RAF Dakota's available, priced at $1400 plus shipping. The figures/accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.
This model measures approximately 63cm long by 91cm wide.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

​

Dear All

Welcome to our July 2023 Warbirds with some unique additions to the line-up across WW2 and beyond.
All Thomas Gunn Warbirds are limited editions, hand carved from Mahogany and take up to 12 months from concept to release.
Each Thomas Gunn aircraft comes with a full cockpit interior and has its own stand and can be displayed in 'flying' mode or 'parked up' on an airfield.

Thank you to all involved in the research.

 

[lancer]

Gorgeous releases. Love the Wildcat, my all-time favorite USN fighter, even in USMC markings.:wink2: -- Al

 

[tmanthegreat]

Fantastic releases this month! I’m really digging the Arado E.555 bomber! I built the Revell 1/72 scale kit decades ago and the plane graces the cover of Herwig and Rode’s excellent reference book, “Luftwaffe Secret Projects - Strategic Bombers 1935-1945”

It’s a shame the E.555s have apparently all sold out already. Hopefully more will be made in the coming months as I’d definitely like to get one!

 

[Barkmann]

Fantastic releases this month! I’m really digging the Arado E.555 bomber! I built the Revell 1/72 scale kit decades ago and the plane graces the cover of Herwig and Rode’s excellent reference book, “Luftwaffe Secret Projects - Strategic Bombers 1935-1945”

It’s a shame the E.555s have apparently all sold out already. Hopefully more will be made in the coming months as I’d definitely like to get one!

There will be more, i would suggest people contact T Gunn and express interest, get your name on the list, for two reasons, firstly you can always ask for a specific 'paint job' [if possible] and secondly, it would be a real downer to miss out and be dissappointed twice. I have done this, but with a Beaufighter, missed out on the first nightfighter version, will always be one of the ones that got away, but now i get another chance.

 

[tmanthegreat]

There will be more, i would suggest people contact T Gunn and express interest, get your name on the list, for two reasons, firstly you can always ask for a specific 'paint job' [if possible] and secondly, it would be a real downer to miss out and be dissappointed twice. I have done this, but with a Beaufighter, missed out on the first nightfighter version, will always be one of the ones that got away, but now i get another chance.

Barkmann, that is exactly what I’ve done. I reached out to Tom over the weekend after seeing the model was available in a Facebook post (though I should have checked TGM’s website before then). While he confirmed they had sold out, he did say he was likely to order more of the type and said I could even choose the scheme. There could also be a chance one of the current orders falls through. It’s a cool model for sure and while (obviously) pricey, it’s definitely a plane I want to add to my collection!

 

[Horus]

I think that's a great idea for TG to identify when possible the individual pilots and give a short bio about them and their service in the name of Freedom that was so costly to these men and their families and yet pass unnoticed by the general public of today who take the freedom they have today and negate it in the name of ..well, you all get the drift !

 

[MLH13]

Another spectacular showing of warbird's, TG!

Mark

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Another impressive line-up.