Revell Junkers Ju 290A-4

Ju 290A-4 W.Nr. 110165 was originally assigned to 5 FAGr on long-range reconnaissance flights supporting U-boat operations in the Atlantic. As the Allies pushed into France many 5 FAGr aircraft were transferred to KG 200, the Luftwaffe's special operations unit. KG 200 assigned it codes A3+HB, but apparently it only wore the codes PJ+PS. This was one of the aircraft assigned to evacuate Nazi VIPs to Barcelona during the closing days of the war. As events transpired her pilot, Staffelkapitän Heinz Braun, instead flew the aircraft to Munich on 08MAY45 from Königgrätz loaded with wounded and female Luftwaffe personnel to escape the Soviets.

USAAF Colonel Harold E. Watson was the C.O. of “Watson's Whizzers”, a unit tasked with salvaging interesting Luftwaffe aircraft and transporting them back to the United States for evaluation. Although the unit arranged shipboard transport for most of their prizes, Col. Watson became enamored with the giant Ju 290 and decided to fly it back to America himself. The airfield at Orly, France was used for training before the planned trans-Atlantic flight and to install American communications and navigation equipment. The aircraft also acquired large “Alles Kaputt” lettering on the port side of the nose. On 28JUL45 Colonel Watson and his crew departed Orly for the United States. The route was Orly – Azores – Bermuda – Wright Field, Ohio. The flight set a speed record for the Atlantic crossing, shaving a full hour off the time.

The model depicts Ju 290A-4 W.Nr. 110165 at the time of her surrender in Luftwaffe markings.

Construction and modifications here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=33459&action=edit&calypsoify=1

Ju 290 photos and history here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=33247&action=edit&calypsoify=1

12 additional images. Click to enlarge.