ICM 1/48 48275 Do 217K-2 with Gliding Bombs Fritz-X, WWII German Bomber Kit
Special version of the Do 217K-2 bomber as a carrier of Fritz-X guided bombs Accurate reproduction of the Do 217K series bomber geometry with extended wingspan Kit includes two Fritz-X bombs and their racks Colour schemes and decals for three marking variants Markings Available Do 217K-2, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Summer 1943 Do 217K-2, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Autumn 1943 Do 217K-2, Major Bernhard Jope’s aircraft, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Autumn 1943 Model Information Scale: 1:48 Number of Parts: 233 Length: 366 mm Width: 524 mm Includes detailed assembly instructions Highly detailed sprues with high accuracy made from quality plastic
The Do 217K-2 was developed as a version of the Do 217K-1 bomber designed to carry the Ruhrstahl SD 1400 X guided bomb, also known as Fritz-X. The key modification was an extended wingspan of nearly 25 meters—necessary to handle the significantly increased combat load, as a single guided bomb weighed 1570 kg. To preserve flight range, an additional 1160- litre fuel tank was installed in the forward bomb bay. Two special racks for the Fritz-X bombs were mounted under the wings between the fuselage and engines. The German company Ruhrstahl A.G. developed the bomb, designed by engineer Max Kramer. It was an armour-piercing glide bomb for attacking armoured naval targets, with flight control from the aircraft via radio waves. The carrier bomber had to fly at an altitude of at least 4 km. The Fritz-X carried 360 kg of explosives and could penetrate 130–150 mm of armour—sufficient to destroy even battleships. The most famous use of the Do 217K-2 bomber (crew commander Major Bernhard Jope) and the Fritz-X bomb was the sinking of the Italian battleship Roma on September 9, 1943.