Corgi Showcase Noseart Series CS90366
P-38J Lightning Diecast Model
USAAF 8th FG, 80th FS, "Down Beat", Dick Bong, April 1st 1944
| 1:120 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Lockheed P-38J Lightning | | 3.75" | | 5.25" |
80th FS legend suggest that Dick Bong was flying this machine when he broke Eddie Rickenbacker's 26-kill World War 1 ace record on 12 April 1944. Bong downed three Ki-43 'Oscars' over Hollandia to boost his tally to 28. However, others, including the aircraft's crew chief, Sam Scher, state that it was only ever flown by Bong once, on 1 April 1944. The ace complimented Scher on his maintenance of DOWNBEAT.
During WW2, young airmen separated from home, family, loved ones and a familiar way of life often sought ways of escaping the harsh reality of war by personalising their aircraft with what has become known as nose art. Humour, slogans, nicknames, cartoons, girls; all were used to bring a touch of light relief to their deadly day-to-day existence. The Corgi Showcase range aims to capture some of the superb works of art that adorned aircraft on all sides of the conflict. Each model is displayed alongside a diecast body panel featuring the art in colourful, large-scale detail.
The Corgi "Showcase Collection Noseart Series" presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft paired with a scale reproduction noseart panel. During WW2, young airmen separated from home, family, loved ones and a familiar way of life often sought ways of escaping the harsh reality of war by personalising their aircraft with what has become known as nose art. Humour, slogans, nicknames, cartoons, girls; all were used to bring a touch of light relief to their deadly day-to-day existence. The Corgi Showcase range aims to capture some of the superb works of art that adorned aircraft on all sides of the conflict. Each model is displayed alongside a diecast body panel featuring the art in colourful, large-scale detail.
Corgi "Showcase Collection Noseart Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Diecast metal larger scale noseart panel.
- Realistic panel lines and surface details.
- Pad printed markings that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Poseable stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Moving parts such as propellers, rotors and swing-wings where applicable.
- Descriptive, collectible data card.
Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a high-performance fighter, the P38 was first flown on January 27th, 1939.