.We\'re offering here a beautifully detailed \'Aerial Invasion\'set including1/700 scalemodels ofan Airspeed Horsa assault gliderand a GEAR DOWNShort Stirling Mk.IV glider tug that have just come out of the 3D printer! The Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War but, with the arrival of the Lancaster and Halifax, it had been relegated to second-line duties by 1943.As planning for the invasion of the continent progressed at about the same time, a need arose for a powerful aircraft capable of towing heavy transport gliders like the Airspeed Horsa and General Aircraft Hamilcar. A new specification created the Stirling Mk.IV variant which eliminated the nose and dorsal turrets, and focused instead on towing gliders and dropping paratroops. In all, 604 Stirling Mk.IVs were produced including 143 Mk.III bomber conversions. These were used at the Battle of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. Interestingly, on 6 June 1944, some of the Stirlings were also used in \'Operation Glimmer\', the precision-laying of \'window\' which produced radar images of a decoy invasion fleet on German radar! Undoubtedly though, the Stirling\'s most memorable role was towing the huge Airspeed Horsa assault gliders with their essential cargos of troops and equipment to the battle zones in Normandy on that fateful day 71 years ago. Capable of carrying over 28 troops each, 320 Horsas were used in the first lift with a further 296 being used in the second lift.
Both the Stirling and the Horsa were previously produced as 1/700 resin cast models by WEM decades ago (the Stirling was a model of the bomber variant and it certainly didn\'t have the landing gear extended!). Unfortunately, these are now long out of production and are almost impossible to find today. We believe that the 3D printed models offeredhere exceed the detail of those very fine WEM models but we\'ve posted high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself (note the cell phone is included for additional scale scale only and is NOT included!).While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned models including the detailed canopies, wings, and tail assemblies, the Stirling\'s engines complete with tiny spinners and especially, its massive landing gear including two tiny tail wheels! BOTH of these are BIG aircraft - the Stirling model has a wingspan of 1-11/16\" and the fuselage is 1-1/2\" long while the Horsa\'s wingspan is 1-1/2\" and fuselage length is 1-5/32\".
While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent in it.
This outstanding Stirling/Horsa tandem model should be a welcome addition to any WW2 wargamer\'s or 1/700 modeler\'s collection, particularly those interested in RAF airborne operations or anyone wishing to create an airborne invasion force air base diorama. Please take a look at the other 1/700 scale aircraft models that we have on sale as well. We\'re always happy to combine shipping for multiple purchases to save whenever possible. Please don\'t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions whatsoever.
