One of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War was the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka dive-bomber. Responsible for providing aerial support for advancing Wehrmacht forces in both the east and west during the early stages of the War, the Stuka was regarded by many as an integral part of the Blitzkrieg that, when taken in conjunction with armor, motorized forces and artillery, were responsible for overrunning much of Europe.
Recognizing its importance to collectors and historians alike, Panzerkampf decided to pay tribute to the Stuka with an array of 1:72 scale replicas, all of which are expected before the year is out. Thus far, four versions are in the hopper, and we’re certain that more are in the offing as is customary with this manufacturer. Interestingly, Panzerkampf has included them within their Panzerkampf range as opposed to their budget-minded Legion line because they are new toolings created from scratch as opposed to previously released builds that may have been developed by other entities. That said, here’s a pictorial of what we know thus far.
Rumor has it that the Company has been looking at expanding their WWII aircraft range by offering a Henschel Hs 129 “Panzerknacker” ground attack aircraft. The Henschel Hs 129 saw combat in Tunisia and on the Eastern Front.
A key requirement of the original specification was that the aircraft be powered by engines that were not in demand for other designs. Prototypes with low-power German Argus As 410 engines of 465 PS (459 hp; 342 kW) failed acceptance test, a more powerful replacement was found with the French Gnome-Rhone 14M engine of 700 PS (690 hp; 515 kW).
The design was relatively effective when it was first introduced, and saw service on the Eastern Front in a variety of front-line roles. As the war continued and anti-tank support became the main goal, the aircraft was continually up-gunned, eventually mounting a 75 mm anti-tank gun. Only a small number of these B-3 models were produced, late in the war. Production ceased in September 1944.
The Hs 129 would be a good choice for this fledgling aircraft manufacturer since there have been relatively few examples produced to date by just a handful of lesser known companies that have utilized the same mold over and over again. Bear in mind that as the industry matures and more manufacturers enter the fray, choices such as this help to ensure that the manufacturer is charting a path of profitability by selecting subjects few companies have addressed to-date. Given the number of aircraft that took part in the War and the wide appeal of WWII-era machines of war, there are still plenty of warplanes still crying out for replicas to be made. Twin-engined aircraft such as the Russian Pe 2 dive-bomber, Japanese Betty bomber and Grumman F9F Tigercat spring to mind and would make for obvious choices, provided, of course, sales were strong for their initial offerings and they build a loyal following. In any event, its refreshing to see them explore their options by introducing historically accurate models at truly affordable prices.