Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US31312 Lockheed AC-130A Gunship Diecast Model USAF 919th SOW, 711th SOS, "First Lady", Duke Field, FL | Limited Edition 1000 Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:144 Scale | | Length | | Width |
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| Lockheed AC-130A Gunship | | 8.25" | | 11" |
PLEASE NOTE: This item has a planned release date of September 2010 and is only available for PRE-ORDER at this time.- Orders are not shipped until complete. If you wish to receive in-stock items prior to pre-ordered items, you must place separate orders.
- Release dates are subject to change. Consider them to be estimates as manufacturers frequently revise them.
- Credit Cards are not billed until time of shipment. Check or PayPal payment (not recommended) is required at time of order.
One of the first seven AC-130A aircraft deployed to Vietnam was AF Serial No. 53-3129, named First Lady in November 1970. In addition to being the first AC-130, this aircraft was a conversion of the first production C-130. On 25 March 1971, it took an anti-aircraft artillery hit in the nose over the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos. The 37 mm shell destroyed everything below the crew deck. In 1975, after the conclusion of US involvement in the Vietnam war, it was transferred to the Air Force Reserve, where it served with the 711th Special Operations Squadron of the 919th Special Operations Wing. In 1980 the aircraft was upgraded from the original three-bladed propellers to the quieter four-bladed propellers and was eventually retired in late 1995. The retirement also marked an end to the Air Force Reserve Command flying the AC-130A. The aircraft now sits on display in the final Air Force Reserve Command configuration with grey paint, black markings, the four-bladed Hamilton Sunstrand 54H60-91 props at the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida USA. Designed to function as a troop, medical evacuation and cargo transport aircraft, the C-130 Hercules was first flown on August 23rd, 1954. Built by Lockheed and capable of over 40,000 lbs of payload, this four-engine turboprop aircraft is quite possibly the most versatile tactical transport in existence. Its modern roles include airlift and airdrop, electronic surveillance, search and rescue, space-capsule recovery, helicopter refueling and aerial attack. Capable of takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways, the C-130 has even landed and taken off from a carrier deck without benefit of arresting gear or catapults. © Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc. Corgi's 1:144 scale C-130 is constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used. The model's wide fuselage and carefully rendered nose section is solid, and pad-printed windows and doors provide a seamless touch that does not interrupt the lines of the aircraft. The solid metal wing features external fuel tanks and thinly stamped metal propellers. This series includes many versions, from gunship to search and rescue, scientific research support and aerial refueling to maritime patrol. The series includes almost all variants, from the early three-bladed propeller "A" to the current "J" variant with upgraded engines and six-bladed propellers. © Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc. 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, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc. |