Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA34403
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 78th FG, #44-72218 "Big Beautiful Doll", John Landers, RAF Duxford, England, 1945 | Limited Edition
3000
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:32 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51D Mustang | | 12" | | 14" |
The Mustang modelled is 44-72218, the 192nd of a batch of three thousand P-51Ds ordered on 7th June 1944, 24 hours after D-Day, June 6th 1944. With callsign 472218, it was coded WZ-I while flown in the European Theatre of Operations and carried the nose art of 'Big Beautiful Doll'. It was flown by Colonel John Landers, Officer Commanding of the 78th Fighter Group, who flew a series of P-38s and P-51s, all of which were named 'Big Beautiful Doll'. From the 38th FS of the 55th FG he was promoted to command the 357th FG before moving to Duxford to take command of the 78th. After the war Landers commanded the 361st FG. He scored 14.5 victories, 8.5 with the Eighth Air Force.
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 1:32 scale P-51 Mustang is a large scale model loaded with features. All of the control surfaces, the landing gear and gear doors are moveable with metal hinges. The upper portion of the engine cowling is removable, revealing a masterfully rendered V-12 Merlin engine. Beneath the removable covers on each wing are detailed machine guns and ammo belts. The cockpit interior and detailed pilot figure are easily viewed with the canopy open or closed.
© 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.
