Like the USAF C-47, the Junkers Ju 52 tri-motor was first built in the 1930s and remained in service for more than a quarter century. It made its maiden flight in April 1931, and three years later a heavy bomber variant entered service with the German Luftwaffe. The latter version formed the nucleus of the Luftwaffe's early bomber force, which was used with great effect during the Spanish Civil War.

By 1939, the Ju 52 was obsolete as a bomber, but because of its durability, simplicity of design, and handling characteristics, it continued to serve throughout WW II as a versatile workhorse for the German transport fleet. Adolf Hitler even used a Ju 52 as his private transport. Ju 52s delivered the attacking forces and their supplies during the German invasion of Norway, Denmark, France, and the Low Countries in 1940. Later on, approximately 500 Ju 52s participated in the historic airborne assault on the island of Crete in May 1941 and later supplied Rommel's panzerwaffe operating in North Africa.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a German Junkers Ju-52 was attached to 4U+NH 2/Kampfgeschwader zur besonderen Verwendung 1, which participated in Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury), the invasion of Crete during May 1941. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 16-inches
Length: 10-1/4-inches

Release Date: June 2016

Historical Account: "Unternehmen Merkur" - Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury) was the code name given to the German invasion of Crete, in May 1941. The use of paratroopers would be central to the success of the operation to take this Greek island and extensive use was made of the venerable old Junkers Ju-52 transport aircraft. Much loved by the troops it carried, the Ju-52 was vulnerable to attack from both ground and air and although Crete eventually fell to German forces, it was to prove a costly operation in terms of casualties. Ju-52 4U+NH operated during the attack on Crete, delivering German paratroopers to one of four strategic targets on the island. Despite coming under significant defensive fire, the aircraft survived the invasion of Crete and went on to serve in North Africa.

As one of the most reliable passenger airliners of the 1930s, the Junkers Ju-52 obviously attracted the attentions of Luftwaffe commanders, as they prepared for the coming conflict in Europe. Easy to fly, maintain and manufacture, the 'Iron Annie' saw extensive service with the Luftwaffe, with huge numbers of troops and their supplies transported by these graceful aircraft. Unfortunately, the Ju-52 was totally incapable of defending itself against Allied air attack and operations taking place without the protection of a fighter escort were tantamount to suicide. Despite the destruction of many aircraft, examples of the Ju-52 can still be seen flying to this day and even though they are now over eighty years old, they are just as reliable as ever.