The Do 217E-5 was an advanced version of the Do 17Z bomber specifically designed to deliver one of history's first operationally used stand-off missiles, the Henschel Hs 293, which was developed for use against Allied shipping. The Hs 293 was actually a radio controlled glide bomb. It was used in the first successful attack by a guided missile on August 25, 1943 when it struck the sloop HMS Bideford, causing little damage as its warhead failed to detonate. Two days later, however, 18 Do 217E-5s carrying Hs 293s sank HMS Egret and badly damaged HMCS Athabaskan in the Bay of Biscay resulting in the temporary suspension of anti-U-Boat patrols there. Over two dozen Allied ships were hit over the next year including at least nine that were sunk in actions off Anzio, Salerno and southern France. Although designed as an anti-shipping weapon, the Hs 293 was also used in Normandy in early 1944 to attack bridges over the River See and River Selume.

While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned model including the fuselage with detailed glazed nose, canopy and dorsal turret; the wings with authentic engine cowls; the twin tail assembly and, in particular, the tiny but beautifully rendered Hs 293 missiles (and fuel tanks) under the wings!

Although 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.

NOTE: While we currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.