During the early to mid-stages of the Second World War, the Stuka (short for "sturzkampfflugzeug" or dive-bomber) struck terror in the hearts and minds of soldiers and civilians alike. The Stuka was a rugged machine, designed to swoop down and destroy its target using 500-lb bombs or tear into them using 37mm flak guns mounted underneath the wings.

Flying at 4,600 meters (15,000 ft), the pilot of a Stuka located his target through a bombsight window in the cockpit floor. After opening the dive brakes and slowing his throttle, he then rolled the aircraft 180 degrees, automatically nosing the aircraft into a dive. Red tabs protruded from the upper surfaces of the wing as a visual indicator to the pilot that in case of a g induced black-out, the automatic dive recovery system would be activated.

The Stuka dived at a 60 - 90 degree angle, accelerating to 600 km/h (350 mph). When the aircraft was reasonably close to the target, a light on the contact altimeter came on to indicate the bomb-release point, usually at a minimum height of 450 m (1,500 ft). The pilot released the bomb by depressing a knob on the control column to release weapons and to initiate the automatic pull-out mechanism. A clutch located under the fuselage would swing the bomb out of the way of the propeller, and the aircraft would automatically begin a 6g pullout.

Once the nose was above the horizon, dive brakes were retracted, the throttle was opened, and the propeller was set to climb. The pilot regained control and resumed normal flight. The remaining bombs under the wings were used for other targets.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a Junkers Ju 87G-1 "Kanonenvogel" dive-bomber was attached to 10.(Pz)/Schlachtgeschwader 1, then deployed to Dubno, Ukraine, during June 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 7-inches
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches

Release Date: June 2016

Historical Account: "Death from Above" - Schlachtgeschwader 1 (SchlG 1, since 1943 rather SG 1) was a German ground-attack wing during World War II. The first formation was on January 13th, 1942, from the II.(Schl)/Lehrgeschwader 2, initially with two Gruppen each made of four Staffeln. The second formation was on On October 18th, 1943, by renaming the existing Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 (StG 1). The new unit's name became abbreviated simply SG 1.

SchlG 1 gradually withdrew from Russia to become fully stationed in Kiev in October 1943. On October 18th, 1943, the Stab (staff) was disbanded and the personnel used to form the staffs of IV/SG 9, NSGr 3, and NSGr 7. Both Gruppen moved to other formations: the I/SchlG 1 was renamed the II/SG 77, except for the 1st Staffel which was disbanded and incorporated into the other Staffeln, and the II/SchlG 1 was renamed the II/SG 2, with 5th Staffel becoming 8th Staffel and the others retaining their numbers.

At the same time the independent Staffeln also became renamed: the 4.(Pz)/SchlG 1 was renamed to the 10.(Pz)/SG 9, and the 8.(Pz)/SchlG 1 was renamed 11.(Pz)/SG 9.