Franklin Mint B11B301 1:48 Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4 V083 W.Nr.170083 Pulkzerstörer 50mm Cannon 1945
We are currently away on holiday until Friday, 2 October. Orders can still be placed as normal. Dispatch resumes on Monday, 5 October.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
An imposing and particularly unusual 1:48 scale diecast representation of Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4 V083, Werknummer 170083, one of only two experimental Me 262 jet fighters converted to carry a massive 50 mm cannon for use against Allied bomber formations. Released within the Franklin Mint Armour Collection under model code B11B301, also catalogued as 98154, this substantial collector model represents one of the most extraordinary experimental developments of the world's first operational jet fighter.
By the closing months of the Second World War, the Luftwaffe faced increasingly large formations of heavily armed Allied bombers. One proposed solution was the development of a specialised Me 262 capable of destroying a heavy bomber with only a small number of accurately placed cannon rounds. The resulting aircraft became known as the Me 262A-1a/U4, or Pulkzerstörer, meaning formation destroyer.
Only two Me 262 airframes were converted to the U4 configuration, Werknummer 111899 and Werknummer 170083. The latter aircraft, represented by this Franklin Mint release, carried the test identification V083 and was fitted with an enormous 50 mm Mauser MK 214 cannon firing through an extensively modified nose.
Installation of such a large weapon required considerable alteration to the standard Me 262. The conventional four 30 mm MK 108 cannon installation was removed and the forward fuselage redesigned around the long cannon barrel, while the nose landing gear arrangement also required modification to provide sufficient internal clearance.
The result gave V083 one of the most distinctive appearances of any Me 262 variant. The 50 mm cannon projected prominently from the nose of the otherwise sleek jet fighter, producing an aircraft specifically intended to attack tightly grouped formations of Allied heavy bombers from beyond the effective range of their defensive machine guns.
Franklin Mint and some surviving collector catalogues associate B11B301 with Major Wilhelm “Willi” Herget and Jagdverband 44. Historical accounts indicate that this attribution combines the histories of the two Me 262A-1a/U4 prototypes. Herget carried out operational trials with the other prototype, Werknummer 111899/V899, while the aircraft represented here is Werknummer 170083/V083.
V083 was captured by American forces in Germany at the end of the war before being selected for evaluation. After capture it was given the name “Wilma Jeanne” and was later renamed “Happy Hunter II”. The aircraft was ultimately lost during a transfer flight from Melun to Cherbourg in July 1945 when its pilot was forced to abandon the aircraft.
The standard Messerschmitt Me 262 was powered by two Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines and represented a dramatic advance in fighter performance. Although its operational impact was restricted by fuel shortages, engine reliability, Allied attacks and Germany's deteriorating military position, its speed demonstrated the enormous potential of jet-powered combat aircraft.
This retired Franklin Mint Armour Collection release has considerable display presence in 1:48 scale. Heavyweight diecast construction is combined with a detailed cockpit, authentic late-war camouflage and V083 markings, twin jet-engine nacelles, detailed undercarriage and the exceptionally prominent 50 mm cannon installation which distinguishes the experimental U4 from conventional Me 262 fighters.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Franklin Mint
Series: Armour Collection / Precision Models
Scale: 1:48
Model Code/MPN: B11B301
Alternative Reference: 98154
Aircraft: Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4
Aircraft Nickname: Schwalbe
Experimental Role: Pulkzerstörer / Bomber Destroyer
Werknummer: 170083
Test Markings: V083
Operator: Luftwaffe
Country: Germany
Conflict: Second World War
Year/Date: 1945
Role: Experimental jet bomber interceptor
Primary Armament: 50 mm Mauser MK 214 cannon
Number Converted: Two Me 262A-1a/U4 prototypes
Post-War History: Captured by US forces and subsequently named Wilma Jeanne and Happy Hunter II
Status: Retired collector model
Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with detailed plastic sub-components
Special Features: Experimental elongated cannon nose, prominent 50 mm Mauser MK 214 installation, authentic V083 markings, late-war camouflage, detailed cockpit, twin Jumo 004 engine nacelles and detailed landing gear
Dimensions
Length: Approximately 8.5" or 21.6 cm
Width (Wingspan): Approximately 10.5" or 26.7 cm
Model Condition - Very Good (7/10)
- The model is in very good condition overall.
- A different coloured grey compound is present on the underside of one engine, although there does not appear to have been a repair made in this area.
- The undercarriage doors are relatively loose and have some glue residue around them. It is difficult to confirm whether this is from manufacture or a previous repair.
- Two scratch marks are present behind the screw point towards the tail section.
- The model remains screwed into the display base, keeping it secure.
- Despite the noted imperfections, the model still displays very well overall.
Box condition - Excellent (8/10)
- The box is in excellent condition for its age, with some light wear present to the edges.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading Criteria
Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.
Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.
Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.
If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.
Holiday dispatch update
We are currently away on holiday until Friday, 2 October. Orders can still be placed as normal. Dispatch resumes on Monday, 5 October. Please see below for further general information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Dispatch & Tracking
Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed. We do not dispatch orders on the same day.
If you would like us to hold your order for a later dispatch date, please add a note in the cart before proceeding to checkout, or contact us directly as soon as possible.
Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel on our 'Track Your Order' page.
UK Delivery
-
Tracked 48 — £4.20: Usually 2–3 working days. Available on orders under £100.
-
Tracked 24 — £5.20: Aims for the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £100 or more.
-
Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50: Guaranteed by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £200 or more.
International Delivery
We ship worldwide from the UK using tracked services, with parcels insured up to the full order value.
-
Europe: Usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.
-
Rest of the world: Usually 6–7 business days after dispatch.
Add your models to the cart and enter your address to see available services and prices. Postage is combined by weight when you purchase multiple models.
If you place separate orders before they have been dispatched, we will combine them where they can be packed safely together and refund any excess postage paid. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the orders.
Import Duties & Taxes
For supported destinations, duties and taxes are shown and collected at checkout. These orders are sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due on delivery.
Duty-paid delivery is available where shown at checkout for the United States, Norway, Switzerland and selected European destinations. See our Shipping Policy for the full destination list.
If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, your order is sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). You may need to pay import charges or carrier handling fees before delivery.
We wrap each model box in bubble wrap and use paper void fill inside a sturdy, double-walled shipping box. We may reuse boxes and bubble wrap where suitable, while ensuring your order is protected during transit.
Returns
You can return an item within 30 days of delivery, provided it is in the same condition as when you received it.
Returns are free for UK customers. Customers outside the UK are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe each item carefully so you can buy with confidence.
We inspect returned items before issuing a refund. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.
To start a return, email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under About & Help in the top menu.
Choose options
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
An imposing and particularly unusual 1:48 scale diecast representation of Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4 V083, Werknummer 170083, one of only two experimental Me 262 jet fighters converted to carry a massive 50 mm cannon for use against Allied bomber formations. Released within the Franklin Mint Armour Collection under model code B11B301, also catalogued as 98154, this substantial collector model represents one of the most extraordinary experimental developments of the world's first operational jet fighter.
By the closing months of the Second World War, the Luftwaffe faced increasingly large formations of heavily armed Allied bombers. One proposed solution was the development of a specialised Me 262 capable of destroying a heavy bomber with only a small number of accurately placed cannon rounds. The resulting aircraft became known as the Me 262A-1a/U4, or Pulkzerstörer, meaning formation destroyer.
Only two Me 262 airframes were converted to the U4 configuration, Werknummer 111899 and Werknummer 170083. The latter aircraft, represented by this Franklin Mint release, carried the test identification V083 and was fitted with an enormous 50 mm Mauser MK 214 cannon firing through an extensively modified nose.
Installation of such a large weapon required considerable alteration to the standard Me 262. The conventional four 30 mm MK 108 cannon installation was removed and the forward fuselage redesigned around the long cannon barrel, while the nose landing gear arrangement also required modification to provide sufficient internal clearance.
The result gave V083 one of the most distinctive appearances of any Me 262 variant. The 50 mm cannon projected prominently from the nose of the otherwise sleek jet fighter, producing an aircraft specifically intended to attack tightly grouped formations of Allied heavy bombers from beyond the effective range of their defensive machine guns.
Franklin Mint and some surviving collector catalogues associate B11B301 with Major Wilhelm “Willi” Herget and Jagdverband 44. Historical accounts indicate that this attribution combines the histories of the two Me 262A-1a/U4 prototypes. Herget carried out operational trials with the other prototype, Werknummer 111899/V899, while the aircraft represented here is Werknummer 170083/V083.
V083 was captured by American forces in Germany at the end of the war before being selected for evaluation. After capture it was given the name “Wilma Jeanne” and was later renamed “Happy Hunter II”. The aircraft was ultimately lost during a transfer flight from Melun to Cherbourg in July 1945 when its pilot was forced to abandon the aircraft.
The standard Messerschmitt Me 262 was powered by two Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines and represented a dramatic advance in fighter performance. Although its operational impact was restricted by fuel shortages, engine reliability, Allied attacks and Germany's deteriorating military position, its speed demonstrated the enormous potential of jet-powered combat aircraft.
This retired Franklin Mint Armour Collection release has considerable display presence in 1:48 scale. Heavyweight diecast construction is combined with a detailed cockpit, authentic late-war camouflage and V083 markings, twin jet-engine nacelles, detailed undercarriage and the exceptionally prominent 50 mm cannon installation which distinguishes the experimental U4 from conventional Me 262 fighters.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Franklin Mint
Series: Armour Collection / Precision Models
Scale: 1:48
Model Code/MPN: B11B301
Alternative Reference: 98154
Aircraft: Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4
Aircraft Nickname: Schwalbe
Experimental Role: Pulkzerstörer / Bomber Destroyer
Werknummer: 170083
Test Markings: V083
Operator: Luftwaffe
Country: Germany
Conflict: Second World War
Year/Date: 1945
Role: Experimental jet bomber interceptor
Primary Armament: 50 mm Mauser MK 214 cannon
Number Converted: Two Me 262A-1a/U4 prototypes
Post-War History: Captured by US forces and subsequently named Wilma Jeanne and Happy Hunter II
Status: Retired collector model
Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with detailed plastic sub-components
Special Features: Experimental elongated cannon nose, prominent 50 mm Mauser MK 214 installation, authentic V083 markings, late-war camouflage, detailed cockpit, twin Jumo 004 engine nacelles and detailed landing gear
Dimensions
Length: Approximately 8.5" or 21.6 cm
Width (Wingspan): Approximately 10.5" or 26.7 cm
Model Condition - Very Good (7/10)
- The model is in very good condition overall.
- A different coloured grey compound is present on the underside of one engine, although there does not appear to have been a repair made in this area.
- The undercarriage doors are relatively loose and have some glue residue around them. It is difficult to confirm whether this is from manufacture or a previous repair.
- Two scratch marks are present behind the screw point towards the tail section.
- The model remains screwed into the display base, keeping it secure.
- Despite the noted imperfections, the model still displays very well overall.
Box condition - Excellent (8/10)
- The box is in excellent condition for its age, with some light wear present to the edges.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading Criteria
Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.
Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.
Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.
If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.
Holiday dispatch update
We are currently away on holiday until Friday, 2 October. Orders can still be placed as normal. Dispatch resumes on Monday, 5 October. Please see below for further general information.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Dispatch & Tracking
Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed. We do not dispatch orders on the same day.
If you would like us to hold your order for a later dispatch date, please add a note in the cart before proceeding to checkout, or contact us directly as soon as possible.
Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel on our 'Track Your Order' page.
UK Delivery
-
Tracked 48 — £4.20: Usually 2–3 working days. Available on orders under £100.
-
Tracked 24 — £5.20: Aims for the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £100 or more.
-
Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50: Guaranteed by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £200 or more.
International Delivery
We ship worldwide from the UK using tracked services, with parcels insured up to the full order value.
-
Europe: Usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.
-
Rest of the world: Usually 6–7 business days after dispatch.
Add your models to the cart and enter your address to see available services and prices. Postage is combined by weight when you purchase multiple models.
If you place separate orders before they have been dispatched, we will combine them where they can be packed safely together and refund any excess postage paid. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the orders.
Import Duties & Taxes
For supported destinations, duties and taxes are shown and collected at checkout. These orders are sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due on delivery.
Duty-paid delivery is available where shown at checkout for the United States, Norway, Switzerland and selected European destinations. See our Shipping Policy for the full destination list.
If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, your order is sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). You may need to pay import charges or carrier handling fees before delivery.
We wrap each model box in bubble wrap and use paper void fill inside a sturdy, double-walled shipping box. We may reuse boxes and bubble wrap where suitable, while ensuring your order is protected during transit.
Returns
You can return an item within 30 days of delivery, provided it is in the same condition as when you received it.
Returns are free for UK customers. Customers outside the UK are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe each item carefully so you can buy with confidence.
We inspect returned items before issuing a refund. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.
To start a return, email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under About & Help in the top menu.
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