Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series 48104 Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Diecast Model USAF MATS | Limited Edition 4000 Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:144 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter | | 9.25" | | 11.75" |
The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) was a major command of the United States Air Force from 1948–1965. Established on 1 June 1948 by the Department of Defense, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service (NATS) and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command (ATC) into a single, joint, unified command. Its mission was to provide an air transportation system for military personnel and equipment between United States military bases worldwide.
Designed as a long-range airliner for premier services across the Atlantic and the Pacific, the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was first flown on July 8, 1947. This luxurious post-war double-decker propeller airliner had a spiral staircase leading to a lower-level lounge and state-of-the-art pressurization, but it was expensive to maintain and operate. Just 56 of the type were built as airliners-the remaining saw service as C-97 military transports or KC-97 tankers. Stratocruisers continued to fly commercially until the 1960s, when the introduction of the Boeing 707 and the de Havilland Comet made them obsolete. © Copyright 2003-2026 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 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.