Code: CG-US31108 Quantity in Basket: none Status: In Stock Price: $49.99
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Corgi Aviation Archive Legends Series US31108 B-17F Flying Fortress Diecast Model USAAF 91st BG, 324th BS, "Memphis Belle" 1:144 Scale     Length     Width Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress     6.25"     8.75" Memphis Belle was delivered on 15th July 1942 and assigned to Lt. Robert K. Morgan of the 324th BS, 91st BG. Named after Morgan's fiancee Margaret Polk, she was to become the most famous of all Flying Fortresses. Fate stepped in when Academy-Award winning film director William Wyler came to England in late 1942. He wanted to make a film which would show the kind of war the 8th Air Force was fighting and what it hoped to achieve. Wyler had decided to build his story around one aircraft and one crew completing their combat tour of 25 missions, a feat that was already steeped in folklore due to its rarity. With no staging and no script there was always the chance that the Memphis Belle wouldn't make it, but in dramatic and morale-boosting style the mission was completed and the aircraft was flown home to raise money in the Sixth War Bond Drive and tour US training bases. The final mission was an attack on the U-Boat yards at Kiel on the 19th May 1943, piloted by Lt. C. L. Anderson. During her seven months of combat she had aborted three times for mechanical reasons but otherwise had completed every mission. In 1972 a committee led by Frank Donofrio began a crusade to save the B-17 and fifteen years later the restored aircraft was on permanent display at a specially built museum. Corgi Aviation Archive Legends Series The Corgi "Legends" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. Corgi "Legends" 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. Permanently extended landing gear with rotating wheels. Presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight". Detailed pilot and crew member figures. Authentic ordnance loads complete with placards. [See more Corgi Aviation Archive Legends Series products] Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a multi-engined long-range bomber, the B17 was first flown on July 28th, 1935 as the Boeing Model 299. Used extensively in Europe and the Middle East, the B17 was operational in every theatre involving US forces during WWII with almost 13,000 aircraft eventually being produced. [See more Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress products]