Corgi Aviation Archive Series Die-cast Model

Heinkel He 111 – German Luftwaffe, Eastern Front, "Operation Barbarossa", 1941, World War II

1:72 Scale.  Length: 9".  Wingspan: 12.25"


Limited Edition of 1200 models worldwide

If the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the most famous Luftwaffe fighter aircraft of World War II, then its direct bomber equivalent had to be the Heinkel He-111, an aircraft which can trace its origins back to the early 1930s and its development as a supposed civilian airliner due to the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. Once Germany was no longer concerned with the pretense of trying to appease the other European powers, the Heinkel showed itself to be a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ and, thanks to its large fully glazed ‘greenhouse’ nose, would become one of the most famous aircraft of WWII.

Possessing a greater range than other Luftwaffe strike aircraft, the Heinkel He-111 would see heavy use during Operation Barbarossa and the air battles which raged over the Eastern Front from 1942 onwards, but not always in its primary role. Due to the rapidly deteriorating situation for the Germans, Heinkel He-111 bombers were also used for casualty evacuation and re-supply duties, where they would supplement the efforts of the lumbering Junkers Ju-52 Trimotors. This particular Heinkel has added rather effective whitewash blotches over its standard camouflage, something that would have looked rather effective against the frozen Russian tundra seen from above. While attempting a low level bombing attack against targets in the Kaluga area, south of Moscow, this bomber was hit by accurate Soviet anti-aircraft fire and was forced to crash land, thankfully for the crew, safely behind German lines. Although the Soviet High Command had a strong mistrust of the Germans, they did not necessarily want to do anything militarily that would provoke them into an attack.


Corgi is a leading manufacturer of high quality, pre-built, diecast model airplanes. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to details, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are made with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Heinkel He 111 features: