Anigrand Craftswork ANIG4052 1:144 Junkers Ju-352V-2 Herkules

Junkers Ju-352V-2 Herkules. Includes bonus kits of the Flettner Fl-265, Blohm-und-Voss Bv-141B, Messerschmitt Me-609, Focke-Wulf Fw-226 Flitzer. In 1942, due to the worsening war situation and a critical shortage of metal materials, Reich Air Ministry instructed Junkers to redesign the structure of the Junkers Ju.252 transport airplane. Junkers proposed the Ju.352 Herkules, itself developed in an attempt to replace the Ju.52/3m. The new aircraft was very similar to the Ju.252, which was made from wood and steel tube construction, and was covered in fabric to save on strategic materials. The wooden wings were moved back, a new vertical tail was redesigned, and the semi-circular windows of the Ju.252 were replaced with square windows. Defensive firepow er was provided by one 20mm MG.151/20 cannon mounted in an dorsal turret, while two 13mm MG.131 machine guns could be mounted in the cabin windows. The V-1 prototype made its maiden flight in October 1943, followed quickly by the V2. Ten A-0 pre-production (V3 to V12) and thirty three A-1 full production aircraft were built. KG 200, the Luftwaffe's most secret unit, got most of them to drop agents and fly other special missions until April 1945.