Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA32616 Avro Lancaster B.Mk I Diecast Model RAF No.617 (Dambusters) Sqn, Johnny Fauquier, Farge, Germany, U-Boat Pens Raid, March 1945, w/Grand Slam bomb Limited Edition | 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Avro Lancaster B.Mk I | | 11.75" | | 17" |
On 27th March 1945, 617 Sqn bombed the U-Boat Pens at Farge, Germany. These pens were one of the largest concrete structures on earth at the time and of the 20 Lancasters used on the raid, 14 were equipped with the huge, 22,000lb Grand Slam Bombs - the highest number ever used on a single mission. 2 Grand Slams found their target and detonated rendering the pens unusable. No aircraft were lost. The raid was led by Group Captain Johnny Fauquier, a Canadian who assumed command of 617 Sqn in December 1944. He flew PD119, YZ-J, which was possibly the most distinctive of 617 Sqn, B1 (Special) Lancasters. While the aircraft wore a daylight camouflage, its port rear rudder was damaged, probably by Flak on the 21st March, and with no replacements readily available one was "borrowed" from another plane which wore a black night camouflage scheme. It remained this way until the end of the war. Designed as an improvement of the Manchester—used primarily as a night bomber—the British Avro Lancaster was first flown on January 9th, 1941. With four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, a top speed of 287 mph and a range of 1,660 miles, the Lancaster’s seven-man crew could deliver a knockout punch. This aircraft carried the largest bomb of any in the war and was armed with eight defensive machine guns: two in the nose, two in a top turret and four in a quad assembly tail turret. For dam-busting strikes, the Lancaster dropped “bouncing bombs,” which skipped on the surface before impact. © Copyright 2003-2009 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale Lancaster series includes many variants, all of which are constructed using a large number of diecast metal components. All crew positions are occupied—there is a pilot and navigator in the cockpit, a bombardier lying prone behind the perspex nose cupola and gunners occupying the rotating turrets. The overall presentation of this model has led to its popularity, from the accurate recreation of the Lancaster’s distinctive airframe to the simulated fabric control surfaces with photo-etched metal aileron trim linkages and twin oval rudders. A heavily constructed all-metal display stand is included to support this massive aircraft for in-flight display. © Copyright 2003-2009 The Flying Mule, Inc. The Corgi "Aviation Archive" 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.
- Optional 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 pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as airbrakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2009 The Flying Mule, Inc. |