Corgi 1/72 AA34312 Focke-Wulf FW 190 A5 - Maj Josef Priller GK, JG26, Lille, France 1943

Limited Edition No. 798 - Released 2008

Josef "Pips" Priller joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 and on October 1, 1939, was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 51. He gained his first victories on May 28, 1940 over Dunkirk in aerial combat with RAF fighters. On October 17, Oberleutnant Priller claimed his 20th victory and claimed at least fourteen victories in the Battle of Britain. On November 20, 1940, Priller was transferred as Staffelkapitän to 1./JG 26 and claimed several victories between June 16 and July 11, 1941, shooting down 19 RAF aircraft, including 17 Spitfire fighters, to bring his victory total to 39. Hauptmann Priller became Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 26 on December 6, 1941. He recorded his 60th victory on March 27, 1942 and his 70th victory on May 5.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A

Designed by Kurt Tank, the Fw-190A was first flown on June 1st, 1939. This small, yet ferociously-powered aircraft was fast and maneuverable and packed a fierce armament package earning it the nickname "Butcher Bird". The wide landing gear, excellent visibility and high-altitude paddle-bladed propeller endeared it to pilots familiar with the shortcomings of its predecessor - the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Some of the Luftwaffe's most famous fighter aces flew the Fw 190. Many variants were produced during the war, with the most notable being the inline-engine equipped and longer-nosed 190D, known as the "Dora."