Messerschmitt Me 410A Hornisse

Luftwaffe 14./KG 2, U5+FE, Rudolf Abrahamczik, 1943

Corgi 1:72 AA29702

The Luftwaffe's long range night intruder campaign towards the end of the Second World War was intended to disrupt Allied air operations, spreading confusion and panic by infiltrating bomber streams, or striking at aircraft whose crews had "switched off" as they approached their base at the end of another long mission. The Messerschmitt Me 410 was ideally suited to this task - fast and heavily armed, these Fernnachtjagd aircraft operated in conjunction with the regular Blitz bomber force, with more specific targets and often operating alone in the dark night skies.

Despite being an extremely capable aircraft in this role, night-intruder Me 410s were hunted mercilessly the second they crossed the English Channel, and no mission ever passed without incident. Britain's air defence network had been fine-tuned to make any incursion over the country a torrid experience for Luftwaffe pilots and the cover of darkness offered little protection. RAF de Havilland Mosquito nightfighters were the perfect nocturnal hunters, taking a heavy toll of Luftwaffe aircraft of all types, including the Messerschmitt Me 410.

The aircraft modelled here wears a camouflage scheme which was perfect for night intruder operations and was flown by one of the Luftwaffe's very best, Rudolf Abrahamczik, a highly decorated bomber pilot with at least 233 combat missions to his name, many of which were in this role.

Messerschmitt Me 410A Hornisse

Designed as a heavy fighter and fast bomber, the Me 410 was first flown on March 14th, 1942. An evolution of the troubled Me 210, the Me 410 featured more powerful Daimler-Benz DB 603 engines and improved aerodynamics, offering better speed and stability. Armed with a mix of forward-firing cannons and remote-controlled defensive machine guns, it was used in bomber-destroyer and reconnaissance roles. Despite its performance, it struggled against nimble Allied fighters like the P-51 Mustang. Produced in limited numbers from 1943 to 1944, the Me 410 was ultimately overshadowed by Germany's increasing reliance on jet and rocket aircraft late in the war.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
• Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
• Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.