Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33804
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Diecast Model
USAAF 325th FG, 317th FS Checkertails, "11", Herschel Green, Celone, Italy, 1944 | Limited Edition
2900
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Republic P-47D Thunderbolt | | 6" | | 6.75" |
The Mediterranean based 325th Fighter Group was the only P-47 group within the strategic Fifteenth Air Force. A major force within was the outstanding and popular fighter leader, Herschel 'Herky' Green, who was not only the ranking P-47 ace in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations (MTO) but also the AAF's top scoring pilot-in-theatre. Green commanded the 317th FS from March through September 1944. This particular aircraft was his personal mount and like all his aircraft was numbered 11 and lacked embellishment other than 'ace' on the nose. The inspiration for this design was a Vargas calendar cowgirl, a very popular 'model' for aircraft nose art during the war. Periodically he was obliged to fly other aircraft if his was under repair and in one such P-47, 'Star of Altoona', he downed six aircraft on 30th January 1944. His final tally stood at 18 destroyed, 1 probable and 6 damaged.
Designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter, the P-47 was first flown on May 6th, 1941. Later models featured a "bubble-top" canopy rather than the sharply peaked "razorback" fuselage which resulted in poor visibility for the aircraft's pilot. The P-47, a deadly pursuit aircraft, featured 8 x 12.7mm machine guns; all mounted in the wings. Even with the complicated turbosupercharger system, the sturdy airframe and tough radial engine, the P-47 ("Jug" or "Juggernaut" as it was nicknamed) could absorb damage and still return home. Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale P-47 series includes both the "razorback" and "bubble-top" canopy styles, with separate castings for each fuselage. The models in this series are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used. Details of the radial engine and air intake are visible inside the oval engine cowling. The turbo-supercharger exhaust vent and separately applied intercooler exit doors are nicely detailed at the rear of the fuselage. Each release in the series includes different weapons ordnance or external fuel tanks. The four staggered machine gun barrels that protrude from each of the wings' leading edges are constructed of rigid plastic, and there are shell casing vents below each wing.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
