Today I bring you my two favourites models; a Junkers Ju-52 of the Kondor Legion and a Bf-109 "Zacuto" of the 23 Regimento de Caza; both of the Franklin Mint/Armour Collection.
To understand the importance of the Junkers in the history of Spain, it is necesary to study the role this bomber/transport aircraft played during the Spanish Civil War; when the uprising of the nationalist took place, the African Army was still in Morocco and was needed to be moved to the peninsula. However, most of the warships of the spanish navy were in the hands of the Republic, so they immediately blockaded the Strait of Gibraltar, so the african army couldn´t pass to the peninsula.
Its in that moment when Mussolinni and Hitler offered their bombers and transport aircraft to cross the army, making possible that the war continued. In this sense, Hitler said that "Franco should raise a monument to the importance of the Junkers Ju-52", in reference to the role this transport aircraft played allowing the army to cross to the penninsula.
After the war, the Junkers Ju-52 became the main transport aircraft of the new "Ejercito del Aire", being built under licence and serving until 1975, when the last example was retired and sent to the Air Museum in Madrid, where it can be visited.
Just one more thing: what you can see at the back of the pictures is my hometown, Almuñecar, placed at the south of Spain, very close to Morocco and surrounded by the Mediterranean sea.