FABBRI Edition

Series – Air Combat Collection

by ITALERI

AG-P-007 (AG007) – MESSERSCHMITT Me 262 JG 7 “Nowotny”

I. Gruppe, 2.Staffel “Black 3”

Die-cast

Scale – 1/100

Condition – stock, in sealed original blisterpack

20% discount (adjusted price $7.99) will apply if purchased along with any other aircraft model from my inventory (same or higher value).  Price adjustment will be processed before your credit card will be charged.

Additional savings on S&H with a combine shipment, on average additional model will add only $1-2 to the S&H per model.

Based on the tactical markings presented on the model it can be say that the plane was belongs to JG 7 “Nowotny” and was flown by Gruppen Adjudant of I.Gruppe with plane belongs to 2.Staffel

Fabbri is international publishing company that among many other line of products in recent years sales different collectibles along with its magazines.  Models that are distributed under Fabbri name in fact produced by different model makers depend on the collection theme.

Models were distributed in some European countries, New Zealand and in Japan.

On some markets models were distributed under DeAgostini brand name.  Fabbri didn’t export their models beyond countries where they have their own distribution system.

These models were exported from Europe where they were purchased from independent dealer. 

Air Combat Collection

“The collection covers all the most important warplanes of World War 2, the Cold War and the present day. …  1:100 scale die-cast model warplane or helicopter. All the models are intricately detailed with accurate and historically correct camouflage and markings”

It appears that models from ‘Air Combat Collection’ made of famous C.D.C. Armour Collection tooling and presented in the liveries that were available in their original collection.

The main difference is on C.D.C. branded models weapons were attached to the model while Fabbri models have weapons packed along with a model in a blisterpack and need to be attached.  And of cause packaging, instead of display case it is a blisterpack. 

Please note that C.D.C. models retailed around $30.00 and now retails up to $40.00

After C.D.C. was purchased by Franklin Mint 1/100 Collection was produced in limited quantity and now by my best knowledge is discontinued.  I believe these models were price in a range of $25.00.

The Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7)“Nowotny”  was a Luftwaffe fighter wing of WW II and the first operational jet fighter wing in the world.

The wing was created in late 1944 and equipped with Messerschmitt Me 262 the first world operational jet fighter and fought until the end of WW II.  The unit was formed based on Kommando Nowotny a Luftwaffe fighter Gruppe formed on Septemeber 26, 1944 for testing and establishing tactics for the Me 262.  The Gruppe was created and commanded by famous German Ace Walter Nowotny and was named after him.  Originally it consisted of 3 Staffeln and a Stab flight.  It become operational on October 3, same year with about 40 Me 262-A1.  Operating of an experimental unit, flying a new plane that required totally new tacktics proved to be a difficult and dangerous task.  Despite that all pilots were experienced and battle hardned the unit suffered with a heavy loses by mid October it calimed 22 enemy planes but lost 26 Me 262s.  On October 8, 1944 Walter Nowotny was killed. and on November 19, 1944 the unit war reorganized to III./JG 7.  In fact at the time it was the only operation Gruppe of the JG 7. 

JG 7 suffered from constant supply shortage of new aircrafts, fuel, spare parts.   Also during a six weeks period the unit lost 10 Me-262 due to accidents.  At that time usually no more than 4-6 aircrafts participated in a sortie.  

By the end of February proved to be an effective unit and claimed around 45 4-engine bombers and 15 fighters.  During March JG 7 became able to deliver larger scale attacks against Allies heavy bomber streams.  On March 18, 1945 JG 7 had their biggest attack.  37 of their Me 262 engaged a force of 1,221 American bombers and 632 fighters escort.  JG 7 shot down 12 bombers and 1 fighter with the lost of 3 Me 262.  There no confirmed information about total victories of JG 7 due to the lost of Luftwaffe records at the end of the war.  They say that at least 136 kills were claimed and research indicates that as many as over 400 Allied aircraft maybe shot down. 

Me 262 proved to be a deadly opponent but at the last stage of the war its success rate can’t effect Allied air offensive.   It was delivered to late to make any impact on the course of the war.  In addition at this phase of the war Germans couldn’t supply with fuel even those planes that were available.