Corgi Showcase Noseart Series CS90414
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Diecast Model
USAAF 96th BG, 339th BS, "Oh Hard Luck", RAF Snetterton Heath, England, 1944
| 1:300 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress | | 3" | | 4.25" |
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both the other competitors and more than met the Air Corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract due to the prototype's crash, the Air Corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that they ordered 13 B-17s. The B-17 Flying Fortress went on to enter full-scale production and was considered the first truly mass-produced large aircraft, eventually evolving through numerous design advancements.
The B-17 was primarily employed by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial, civilian and military targets. The United States Eighth Air Force based in England and the Fifteenth Air Force based in Italy complemented the RAF Bomber Command's nighttime area bombing in Operation Pointblank, to help secure air superiority over the cities, factories and battlefields of Western Europe in preparation for Operation Overlord. The B-17 also participated, to a lesser extent, in the War in the Pacific, where it conducted raids against Japanese shipping.
Designed to meet the USAAC requirement for a multi-engine long-range bomber, the B-17 was first flown on July 28th, 1935. During a lifelong improvement program, the B-17 received upgrades such as additional guns, raising the total number from seven to 13. These improvements helped the 15-ton aircraft earn its nickname "Flying Fortress." Noted for its ability to absorb heavy battle damage, complete its mission and return home safely, the B-17 operated in every WWII theatre involving US Forces. It accounted for over 290,000 sorties against ground installations and dropped over 640,000 tons of bombs.© Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.
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.
© Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.
