Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA27704
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 359th FG, 370th FS, #44-14733 Daddy's Girl, Ray Wetmore, RAF East Wretham, England, March 1945 | Limited Edition
1100
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51D Mustang | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
As one of the most distinctive P-51D Mustangs of the European theatre, 'Daddy's Girl' was the mount of Captain Ray 'X-ray eyes' Wetmore, who became one of the leading USAAF Mustang aces of the war. His nickname comes from his uncanny reputation for spotting enemy aircraft well before any of his Squadron mates could pick them out and usually dispatching one or two of them. The Mustangs of the 359th Fighter Group had their noses painted in a light apple green colour, which was reputedly sourced from British paint stocks and has proved a notoriously difficult shade for historians to corroborate and modellers to replicate. Named after his daughter Diane, 'Daddy's Girl' had her most successful day on 14th January 1945, when Wetmore destroyed four Focke Wulf Fw 190s and shared in the destruction of a fifth, during the same mission. His final victory came against one of the elusive Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket fighters on 15th March 1945, taking his final aerial victory tally to 21.25 enemy aircraft. By V.E Day, the 21-year-old Wetmore had attained the rank of Major.
Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence." © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.
© Copyright 2003-2019 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.
