Corgi AA35706.(C) Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a Luftwaffe White 8 Major Walter 'Nowi' Nowotney, Kommando Nowotny, Achmer/Germany, 1944

(C) Indicates this product is guaranteed to have a limited edition certificate.

On September 26, 1944, Walter Nowotny was appointed CO of Kommando Nowotny, the worlds first jet fighter unit, based at Achmer and Hesepe. Kommando Nowotny became operational on the 3rd of October and claimed their first kill, a B-24, on October 7th. Nowotny began the practise of using prop-driven conventional fighters as cover against the roaming Allied fighters during the takeoffs and landings of the Me 262. The Me 262 was especially vulnerable as the turbojets relatively low thrust resulted in slow acceleration. It took some time fo the jet to get up to speed. But once there, no Allied aircraft could touch it.