History
The Dornier 335 was a german heavy fighter with a unique push/pull twin engine design. Because the two engines were inline with each other the design created less drag than conventional twin engined fighter aircraft, and therefore had significantly better performance. The Germans were desperate to see the design enter service, but a lack of engine production caused by allied bombing prevented more than a handful from entering service prior to the end of the war.
A Dornier 335 was engaged in combat in April 1945 by a flight of Hawker Tempests, but despite their speed the Do-335 was able to escape contact.
About This Model:
This model is painted in the scheme of VG-PH, which was captured when the factory at which it had been assembled, but never flown, was overrun by allied forces. The aircraft was test flown from Munich to Cherbourg and escorted by two P-51's. The Do 335 arrived 45 minutes before the P-51, demonstrating its considerable speed. The aircraft was shipped back to the continental US for testing along with other captured German designs as part of Operation Sea Horse.
The aircraft was evaluated by the US Navy at Pateaux River MD, and was donated afterwards to the Smithsonian Institute's Air and Space Collection. In 1974 it was shipped back to the factory in which it was made in Oberpfaffenhofen German and restored by Dornier employees. It was on display in Germany for several years before being returned to the Smithsonian's collection of aircraft. It can be seen along other late-war German aircraft at the Smithsonian's Dulles Airport Annex.
Features :
Factory painted in authentic paint scheme, and pre-applied decals, covered with clear coat.
Functional flaps
Factory installed pushrod guide tubes.
All hardware included (screws, rods, fuel tanks etc...)
Epoxy resin fiberglass fuselage and cowl, built up wings, covered with special covering which pain adheres to, and finished with a flat paint scheme, decals pre-applied and clear coated!
Hardware package and illustrated instruction manual included
Spinner NOT included.
