Corgi AA32516 Ju 87R-2 Stuka – Capitano Raul Zucconi, 208a Squadriglia, 101 Gruppo, Regia Aeronautica

In 1940 the Regia Aeronautica of Italy, negotiated the purchase of JU87 ‘Stukas’ from its Axis ally Germany to replace its own SM85 divebombers that had been declared unsuitable for combat operations. During July 1940, 15 Italian pilots arrived for intensive training on the JU87 at the Luftwaffe ‘Stuka’ training school in Graz, Austria with a similar number arriving the following month. The first batch of JU87s supplied were from existing Luftwaffe units so Italian emblems and insignia were painted over the original German markings. To further personalise their aircraft the ‘Stuka’ was re-named ‘Picchiatello’ by the Italian crews. Initially equipping 96 Gruppo based in Sicily, the Regia Aeronautica was the first air arm to use the JU87 in the Mediterranean Theatre. 101 Gruppo was originally based in Tirana, Albania and used their JU87s during the Balkans campaign before the unit transferred to Sicily. The JU87R-2 modelled is from 208a Squadriglia, 101 Gruppo as flown by Capitano Raul Zucconi while based at Sicily in June 1941, from where operations were carried out against targets in Malta and on Allied shipping.