The Junkers Ju 86 like many Germán bombers started off as an airliner and was first tested operationally in the Spanish Civil War, where it was used with some success but was considered inferior to the Heinkel He.111 also making its wartime debut there. At the start of WW2, the bomber was used in the Polish campaign but with the advent of more advanced bombers, was relegated to transport squadrons and flying schools.
However, with the emergency crisis at Stalingrad developing in 1942, all available reserve transport/bomber aircraft were recalled to the front line in an attempt to resupply the 6th Army.
Some fifty-eight Junkers 86s were used during this operation and our aircraft represents one used on the Russian front during this period.
The Junkers 86 probably saw its most successful use in the form of a high-altitude bomber and reconnaissance aircraft (the P-1 and P-2) with forty being converted for this role.
For this role the wingspan was significantly increased by over 25ft to ensure the high altitudes required could be achieved.
These aircraft operated with impunity over the United Kingdom and carried out several nuisance raids on the coast of England.
Our early war variant 1/30 scale Junkers Ju 86 bomber measures 75cm wide and is 60cm long. Limited number of 4 models are available, these are priced at $1400 plus postage.
The TG/K&C figures and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.
Keep your 'eyes to the sky', as there are some exciting warbird releases over the next few months. The Thomas Gunn runway has been particularly busy and there will be releases from 6 different nations in 2023. That's it for now guys, the winner of our golf competition will be announced next week, apologies for the delay but it's been rather busy here at Thomas Gunn HQ.
Best wishes The Gunn Team
WOW460 Nakajima Ki 49 'Helen'
The Ki-49 was designed to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-21 Sally, which entered service with the Japanese air force in 1938. Learning from service trials of the Ki-21, the Army realized that however advanced it may have been at its introduction, its new Mitsubishi bomber would in due course be unable to operate without fighter escorts. The Japanese Army stipulated that its replacement should have the speed and defensive weaponry to enable it to operate independently.
The prototype first flew in August 1939 and the development programme continued through three prototypes and seven pre-production aircraft. Seven more prototypes were built and completed the aircraft's test program. Eventually, in March 1941 the Donryu went into production as the Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Model 1.
Becoming operational in Autumn 1941, the Ki-49 first saw service in China. After the outbreak of the Pacific War, it was also active in the New Guinea region and in raids on Australia. Like the prototype, these early versions were armed with five 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns and one 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon. Combat experience in China and New Guinea showed the Donryu to be underpowered, with bomb capacity and speed suffering as a result. Thus, in the spring of 1942 an up-engined version was produced, fitted with more powerful Ha-109 engines and this became the production Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Model 2 or Ki-49-IIa. The Model 2 also introduced improved armour and self-sealing fuel tanks and was followed by the Ki-49-IIb with improved armament.
Despite these improvements, losses continued, as the quantity and quality of fighter opposition rose. In the face of its increasing vulnerability to opposing fighter aircraft while performing its intended role, the Ki-49 was used in other roles towards the end of the Pacific War, including anti-submarine warfare patrols, troop transport and as a Kamikaze. After 819 aircraft had been completed, production ended in December 1944.
We have five Ki-49 1/30 scale models available priced at $1250 plus postage. The camouflage pattern on this model was definitely a labour of love and not likely to be repeated by the factory - I can still hear them swearing under their breath as they beavered away! This model measures 64cm wide and is 53cm long, so quite a large bird for your collection. The K&C figures and TG accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.
WOW459 Reggiane 2005
The Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario (Archer) was an Italian monoplane fighter/fighter-bomber produced for the Regia Aeronautica during the later years of World War II. Along with the Macchi C.202/C.205 and Fiat G.55, the Reggiane Re.2005 was one of the three Serie 5 Italian fighters. The lines of the fuselage were aerodynamically efficient, and the design was intended to exploit the famous Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. The only drawback was a structural weakness in the rear section of the fuselage.
The fighter took part in the defence of Naples, Rome, and Sicily, with the survivors battling above the crumbling ruins of Berlin, in German insignia.
British ace and military observer, Group Captain Duncan Smith, DSO DFC, said, "The Re.2005 was altogether a superb, potent aeroplane."
The first pilot to use the Re. 2005 in action was Maggiore Vittorio Minguzzi, commander of the 22nd Gruppo. The unit was based at Napoli-Capodichino airfield for the defence of the city.
Minguzzi received the prototype of the Re.2005 (MM.494) after flight test evaluations in Guidonia and made the first flight with this aircraft on 7 March 1943.
He and the more capable pilots of the Gruppo flew this prototype until March 23 and all had a very favorable and enthusiastic impression of the aircraft.
Minguzzi then went to Napoli-Capodichino where he joined the 362nd Squadriglia. This unit, commanded by Captain Germano La Ferla, was the first to be equipped with the Re.2005.
Minguzzi first used the Sagittario on 24 March, when Naples was attacked and on 2 April claimed a four-engine B-24 Liberator bomber over the island of Ischia. This claim is not verified against the applicable losses of USAAF. Italian ace Vittorio Minguzzi was so impressed with this aircraft after its trials and combat debut on April 2, 1943. He wrote the following
"The aircraft is in ideal flying condition at an altitude of 7000 to 7500 m (23,000 to 24,600 ft) and can perform repeated attacks on American heavy bombers in all positions and from all directions... Therefore, I can say that the speed and handling qualities are excellent even at 7,000 m (23,000 ft) and that, compared to the Macchi 202, the Sagittario made two attacks in the time required by the Macchi C.202 for a single pass."
This statement provides a realistic comparison between the two aircraft: at theoretical speed, the Macchi C.202 was only 30 km/h (19 mph) slower, but the Re.2005 with the DB-605 engine and a larger wing provided a substantial improvement in high-altitude performance (the difference was less marked at medium to low altitudes, as the comparison with the C.205V showed).
During April, the 362nd Squadriglia received three more Re.2005 of the 0 series, but the number of Re.2005 in the 22nd Gruppo never exceeded eight.
The first confirmed aerial victories came on 28 April, when four Re.2005s of the 22nd Gruppo set out (with a C.202 and a Dewoitine D.520) from Capodichino to intercept a formation of 30 B-24 Liberators, escorted by 30 fighters heading for Naples. The Re.2005 were flown by Maggiore Minguzzi, Capitano La Ferla, Lieutenant Giulio Torresi and Sergente Donati.
The 22nd Gruppo claimed one B-24 (from Minguzzi) and four probable ones (one was later confirmed by an observer on the ground and credited to Donati). Ten more were claimed as damages shared by the entire Group.
More aircraft arrived at 362nd Squadriglia and in the following weeks, this unit showed much more power than the C.202 units, claiming several bombers for the loss of a pair of Re.2005s. By 25 June 1943, the pilots of Reggiane Re.2005 claimed a total of seven B-24s and many others damaged, but the claimed losses rarely matched the actual losses.
On 2 July 1943, the 362nd was sent to Sicily to deal with the impending invasion and engaged in combat with Spitfires, claiming five shot down from 11–14 July (two were confirmed kills: one reconnaissance Spitfire and one shot down in a strafing attack on Comiso).
A number of other fighters joined the 362A, but when one was damaged in a heavy fall on 21 August 1943, some concerns arose. On 25 August, MM.092356 (Lieutenant Dario Signorini's) was lost during another dive and therefore further flights were suspended. It was found that at speeds above 660 km/h (410 mph) TAS, each maneuver could adversely affect flight control in the tail and then cause damage to the fuselage by flapping .
Re.2005 pilots were prohibited from reaching very high speeds (VNE 800 km/h (500 mph)), but by then, operations were declining as the Armistice went into effect. In July 1943, the Cmdr. of Prato reached a speed of 980 km/h (610 mph) in a dive without loss of control and without flapping end.
The licence produced 1050 Tifone, DB 605 engines were limited to 2650 rpm instead of the usual 2800 rpm with a corresponding drop in power from 1100 to 1007 kW (1475 to 1350 hp). The MM.494 prototype equipped with a DB 605 had a recorded speed of 678 km/h (421 mph) when flying fully equipped, but this speed was achieved by levelling the aircraft after a dive.
The official top speed was 628.5 km/h (390.5 mph) at an altitude of 6,950 m (22,800 ft). The Re.2005 had good handling in combat and, according to General Minguzzi, who flew both the Re.2005 and the Spitfire, the Re. 2005 was even better than the Spitfire in tight corners and handling.
Our 1/30 scale Reggiane is one flown in the defence of Rome and is limited to 5 in number worldwide, priced at $695 plus postage. The K&C/TG figures and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.
Return to WW1 in limited numbers, this time in a very colourful Halberstadt in an intricate lozenge pattern. The CL.11 entered service in August 1917, and proved extremely successful, its excellent maneuverability, rate of climb and excellent field of fire for its armament allowed it to match opposing single-seat fighters. It proved to be well suited to close support, which became the primary role of the CL-type aircraft, the units operating them being re-designated Schlachtstaffeln (Battle flights).Ground support by the Schlachtstaffeln proved very effective, being used both in support of German attacks and to disrupt enemy attacks.
An early example of the successful use of CL-type aircraft in the ground attack role was during the 30th November 1917 German counterattack, during the Battle of Cambrai, where they were a major factor in the German performance. The success of the German tactics at Cambrai, including the use of close air support, resulted in the Germans assembling large numbers of CL-types in support of the Spring Offensive in March 1918, with 38 Schlachtstaffeln (equipped with the CL.II, CL.IV and the Hannover CL.11 available, of which 27 were deployed against the British forces during the initial attack Operation Michael.
The CL.II continued in service until the end of the War.
Painting [and designing the 'camo'] the actual aircraft must have taken time and patience. I know because making the Thomas Gunn one was a labour of love and ours is only1/30 scale!
Our 1/30 scale is limited to 3 in number and is priced $695 plus postage. The figures and accessories are shown for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.
Dear All
Welcome to our June 2023 Warbirds which is a little late, but well worth the wait with some unique additions to the line-up across WW1 and WW2.
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 Dr Mark Dyer for his input and a big thank you also to Marco Ugolini with his research on the Reggiane Re.2005.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
