Code: CG-AA35301 Quantity in Basket: none Status: In Stock FREE Shipping* Price: $99.99
	Quantity:
Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA35301 B-25J Mitchell Diecast Model USAAF 42nd BG, 390th BS Crusaders, "Heavenly Body", Sansapor, New Guinea, 1944 1:72 Scale     Length     Width North American B-25J Mitchell     8.75"     11.25" On 20th February 1945 B-25J-25-NC USAAF S/N 44-30748 was delivered to the Army Air Force, however, at that stage in the Second World War, the aircraft was not immediately needed at the battle front, so the Mitchell was flown to South Plains Texas for initial storage (around 1000 Mitchells were stored or still active with the USAAF after WWII). During July 1947, 44-30748 was brought back to flying condition and ferried to Pyote, Texas for further storage. This B-25J did remain in service as the TB-25J multi-engine advanced trainer for military pilots until 1958. Following removal from military inventory in January 1959, it was then purchased by Avery Aviation and based at Greybull, Wyoming. In 1969 it was purchased by Filmways Inc and flown Tallmantz Aviation at Orange County, for the Paramount movie "Catch-22" and was one of 18 B-25 aircraft used in that film. In 1972 it was then purchased by the present owner and underwent extensive restoration with sheer blood, sweat and tears and did not fly again until 1974. Heavenly Body is still flying today and on a regular basis and is flown and maintained by all-volunteer crew. Heavenly Body has been attending and participating at airshows throughout the USA from the mid-1970s to the present day. In April 1992, Heavenly Body was the first B-25 in 50 years to fly from the deck of an aircraft carrier, the USS Ranger in San Diego Bay. That event was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of then, Colonel James Doolittle's flight of 16 B-25 aircraft from the Navy Carrier, USS Hornet (CV-8), on April 18th 1942 to bomb Japan for that country's attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941. Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series 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. [See more Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series products] North American B-25J Mitchell Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a twin-engine attack bomber, the B25 was first flown in August, 1940. On April 18th, 1942, a flight of 16 B25s led by Lt.Col.Jimmy Doolittle flew 800 miles from the USS Hornet to attack high-profile Japanese targets including Tokyo. [See more North American B-25J Mitchell products]