Oxford Diecast Henschel 126 Gaub/Schroder AFU Recon Group Poland 1939 (1:72)

Henschel 126 Gaub/Schroder AFU Recon Group Poland 1939 The Henschel Hs 126 was a German two-seat biplane observation and close support aircraft designed by Henschel Flugzeugwerke AG and manufactured by Weser Flugzeugbau GmbH. It was the standard reconnaissance aircraft of the Luftwaffe at the start of World War II. The Hs 126 was developed in response to a Luftwaffe requirement for a new reconnaissance aircraft to replace the outdated Heinkel He 45 and He 46. The first prototype flew in June 1936, and the aircraft entered production in 1937. It was a highly manoeuvrable aircraft with good visibility, making it well-suited for its reconnaissance role. It was also armed with two forward-firing machine guns and a movable rear-facing machine gun for self-defence. It was used extensively by the Luftwaffe during the early stages of World War II. It was used to support the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, and it played a major role in the Blitzkrieg campaigns in Western Europe and the Balkans in 1940. The Hs 126 was also used in the North African campaign and on the Eastern Front. As the war progressed, the Hs 126 became increasingly vulnerable to Allied fighter aircraft. It was gradually replaced by more modern aircraft, such as the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch and the Henschel Hs 129. However, the Hs 126 remained in service throughout the war, and it was still being used in some theatres in 1945. The Hs 126 was produced in a number of variants, including the A-1 reconnaissance aircraft (as our model AC120), the B-1 light bomber, and the C-1 ground attack aircraft. A total of 1,169 Hs 126s were produced during the war. - 1:72 Scale

Oxford Diecast Scammell Mechanical Horse Van Trailer LNER (TT)

Scammell Mechanical Horse Van Trailer LNER (TT) Includes: - Diecast model - Display stand - TT Scale  Vehicle information: Oxford railway enthusiasts have already been treated to this model in 1:76 scale and here it is in the smaller scale in exactly the same detail. The concept for  the Scammell Mechanical Horse was devised in the early 1930s by Napier & Son. The tractor unit and detachable back was a replacement for horse-drawn vehicles and Scammell Lorries Ltd so liked the idea they purchased the 3-wheeled design and following some refinements, this strong and sturdy vehicle became the favoured transport for pulling loads of  several tons.  A firm favourite with railway companies because of its manoeuvrability, it was a familiar sight in railway yards in particular, including LNER. Here we see it as one of their Express Parcel Service vans, decorated in a rich dark blue with black chassis and roof and the model features a red band along the skirt of the trailer. The interesting artwork on the trailer is a scene from the Lanark Steel Works. The 1930s vintage vehicle is registered EGT 886. 

Oxford Diecast Junkers Ju-87 Stuka Stab III/StG 77 (1:72)

Junkers JU-87 Stuka Includes: - Diecast model - Canopy detailing - Printed detail - Prop and engine exhausts - Display stand - 1:72 Scale Aircraft information and history: Although usually associated with the Wehrmachts feared Lightning War attacks at the beginning of WWII, the Ju87B Stuka was also a highly effective maritime strike bomber. Capable of performing precision dive bombing attacks against any Allied vessel, the Stuka took a heavy toll of shipping in the English Channel, North Africa and in the Mediterranean. The Stuka also saw service with the air forces of Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, as well as remaining in Luftwaffe service throughout WWII. The attack dive of the Stuka was so severe, that quite a number of automatic features had to be incorporated into the manoeuvre. At an altitude of approximately 15,000 ft., the pilot would locate his target through a bombsight window, which was located in the floor of the cockpit. His engine and propeller had automatic controls, to optimise the aircraft when in a dive, and an automatic trimmer would make the aircraft tail heavy, as the pilot initiated the dive. He would move the dive lever to the rear, which would limit the kick of the control column and quickly begin a defined sequence of actions, which if done correctly, would see his ordnance detonate on his intended target. He quickly set the trim tabs, reduced the throttle and closed the engine coolant flaps. The aircraft would automatically become tail heavy and pitch over in a 180-degree roll, placing the aircraft in a steep nose-down dive at the same time, dive breaks were automatically deployed, to reduce the speed of the dive, to a constant 360 mph. This was the point of no return as the attack sequence had begun. As the strain on the body of the pilot increased, he still had much work to do. The angle of his dive could be checked by looking at a series of red lines on the side of his cockpit window and lining them up against the horizon 60, 75, or 80 degree angle of attack. He would then look forward through the fixed gun sight, to line up his attack, before releasing his heavy main bomb - the optimum release height was indicated to the pilot, by a light flicking on in his altimeter. The bomb was carried on a large U-shaped cradle, which would swing down on release, throwing the bomb safely clear of the large propeller and on to the target. As all this action was taking place, the pilot would have certainly had at least a couple of reassuring glances at the red pins protruding up from the top of the wings, which informed him that the automatic dive recovery system was engaged, should he fall victim to a g-induced black-out. All this would have been taking place in just a matter of a few, frantic seconds! Once the bombs had left the aircraft, it automatically began its dive recovery sequence. This was the point at which the maximum g loading on the crew would be felt and forces in excess of six times the force of gravity were regularly experienced, which could result in vision impairment at the very least. Once recovered and the nose of the aircraft was above the horizon, the dive breaks were automatically retracted, the throttle was opened and the propeller was set to climb the pilot then quickly had to manually open the coolant flaps, to prevent the engine from overheating and then resume flying the aircraft. This was the point that the Stuka was at its most vulnerable, flying at low level, at relatively slow speed and in hostile territory. His rear gunner may still be blacked out and indeed the pilot might still be feeling a little light headed, but every anti-aircraft gun, rifle and enemy fighter in the vicinity would be taking pot-shots at them, from every angle.