DFS-230 with take-off Rockets

The DFS 230 was a German military glider. It was developed in 1933 by the German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight (DFS) under the direction of chief designer Hans Jacobs. In addition to the pilot, the glider could carry nine men, who sat packed closely together on a narrow bench in the center of the fuselage. Access to the cramped interior was provided by a single side door. The passenger seated at the front could operate the glider’s only armament—a machine gun. Designed for offensive operations, the aircraft was intended to land directly at its target; to this end, it was equipped with a braking parachute. This allowed the glider to approach its target in a steep, 80-degree dive and land within 20 meters of the designated touchdown point. It had a payload capacity of up to 1,200 kg.
The glider played a significant role in operations such as the assault on Fort Eben-Emael, the airborne invasion of Crete, the campaigns in North Africa, the rescue of Benito Mussolini, and the attack on Tito’s headquarters. Most notably, on the Eastern Front, it was used to resupply encircled troops—for instance, in the Demyansk and Kholm pockets, at Stalingrad, and in the supply of the defenders of the "Fortress of Budapest." Although production ceased in 1943, the type remained in service until the end of the war; as late as May 1945, it was still being used to deliver supplies to Berlin and Breslau.
In the autumn of 1942, tests were conducted at the Peenemünde testing facility using Borsig Rl 502 rocket boosters, which provided 1,000 kp of thrust for a duration of six seconds. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential for improving takeoff performance in mountainous terrain. However, after two successful tests, accidents occurred, leading to the discontinuation of further trials.

Plastic model kit

• FS-230 NC+SA, with Borsig Rl 502 booster rockets, Peenemünde-West test site, October 1942

Scale 1:72

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included