Corgi Showcase Noseart Series CS90426
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 356th FG, 361st FS, "Jersey Jerk", Don Strait, RAF Martlesham Heath, 1945 |
| 1:110 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51D Mustang | | 3.5" | | 4" |
Squadron colors were not adopted by the 356th FG until December 1944, when colored rudders (yellow for the 359th FS, red for the 360th FS and blue for the 361st) were introduced, followed by colored spinners from February 1945. Not equipped with P-51s until November 1944, the same day that Don Strait assumed command of the 361st FS, the 356th FG was the 'hard luck' group of the Eighth, with a higher loss-to-kill ratio than any other fighter unit, claiming 201 aerial and 75.5 ground victories for the loss of 122 aircraft. Strait's 13.5 victories with the 361st FS, 356th Fighter Group, made him the top ace of this group, achieving all but three of his kills in Mustangs, largely in the final months of the war. He led the squadron again on November 26, 1944, when it flew an escort mission over the heavily defended Ruhr. After linking up with the B-17s just east of Holland, the pilots were advised of 40 bandits approaching from the south. As Strait's sixteen Mustangs arrived in the Osnabruck area, they spotted the 40 Bf 109s at 25,000 feet. They dropped tanks and attacked. Then Strait spotted about another 150 German fighters at various altitudes, preparing to attack the bombers. After two more victories on December 5, Strait found more air combat on Christmas Day. In action again against Bf 109s, he had a nasty moment when his first victim left oil and engine coolant all over his windscreen. Skidding away, Strait almost rammed his foe. He continued shooting down German planes in 1945 : an Fw-190 on Jan. 14, another Fw-190 on Feb. 14, and three Fiesler Storch light observation planes on Feb. 20. His 13.5 aerial victories led the 356th Fighter Group. After the war he rejoined the NJ Air National Guard, and served on active duty during the Korean War, the Fighter Group. After the war he rejoined the NJ Air National Guard, and served on active duty during the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam.
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.
The Corgi "Showcase Collection Noseart Series" range 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 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
