Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA34811
Vickers Wellington Mk I Diecast Model
RAF No.75 (New Zealand) Sqn, R1162 Y for Yorker, RAF Fetwell, England, 1941 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Vickers Wellington Mk I | | 10.25" | | 14.25" |
As Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, The Vickers Wellington twin engined medium bomber was the most advanced aircraft of its type in the RAF and would be called upon to shoulder a heavy burden in early bombing operations. Within 24 hours of war being declared, RAF Wellington bombers were sent to attack German shipping moored near the mouth of the river Elbe, although the actual bombing of the harbour was not permitted, for fear of injuring civilians.
The Wellington was manufactured using the Barnes Wallis designed geodetic lattice construction method, first used on the R-100 Airship, which resulted in an incredibly strong, yet relatively light airframe - it also made the aircraft highly adaptable, which helped to make the Wellington Britain's most heavily produced bomber of WWII. Often referred to as the Wimpy, this nickname was connected to the popular Popeye cartoons of the day and the rather portly Hamburger eating 'J. Wellington Wimpy'.
The Wellington bomber proved to be an incredibly important aircraft in the history of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Determined to modernise their force, they undertook a hugely expensive programme to build three new airfields and equip them with modern aircraft - 30 Vickers Wellington Mk.IC bombers ordered in 1938. Crews would be sent to England for training, before flying their aircraft back to New Zealand and their newly constructed bases. As the crews neared the end of their training, it became clear that war in Europe was inevitable and the New Zealand government gifted the aircraft and their crews to the RAF, in order to help in the war effort. The New Zealand Squadron was renamed No.75(NZ) Squadron in early 1940, becoming the first RAF Commonwealth Squadron of the Second World War. It was unusual for Bomber Command aircraft to carry nose artwork, but the distinctive bomb dropping soda syphon carried by R1162 'Y for Yorker' has to be considered as amongst the most creative.
Designed to meet a British Air Ministry specification for a two-engine bomber, the Wellington was first flown on June 15th, 1936. Used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, the Wellington defended itself with machine guns: two in the front turret, four in the rear turret and an additional two in beam positions. Later in the war, the Wellington served as maritime patrol, anti-submarine. Equipped with radar and used as an Early Warning and Control aircraft, it operated at an altitude of some 4,000 ft over the North Sea, controlling Mosquito fighters intercepting He 111 bombers. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Wellington series is most notable for its replication of the "geodesic" type construction, similar to the construction method used to build airships. This construction method is replicated on the simulated fabric stretched wings and tail surfaces, and is clearly visible through the windows on the fuselage. Releases with configurable bomb load subassemblies have open bombay doors that expose an internal bomb load. The robust metal landing gear are quick and easy to install for ground display. Each release features a 90 degree rotating gunner's turret, and some include an array of delicate photo etched metal antennas.
© Copyright 2003-2020 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.
