Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US33315
Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Diecast Model
USAAF 91st BG, 324th BS, "Memphis Belle", RAF Bassingbourn, England, 1942 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress | | 12.25" | | 17.25" |
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.
Designed to meet a US Army Air Corps requirement for a multi-engined bomber to replace the B-10, the B-17 first flew on July 18, 1935. Best known for its role in the US Army Air Forces' daylight strategic bombing campaign during World War II, the B-17 could fly high and had a long range, and was capable of defending itself from enemy fighters. It was also tough, withstanding extensive battle damage, and was capable of carrying a 6,000 lb bombload. The B-17 became one of the symbols of Allied air power, equipping 32 overseas combat groups and dropping a total of 580,631 metric tons of bombs on European targets. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale B-17 series includes the early war B-17E and late war B-17F and B-17G variants. Corgi's WWII heavy bombers are some of the most sought after diecast models available in 1:72 scale. True to the "Flying Fortress" name, the model is bristling with M2 Browning .50 caliber machine guns, including those found on the rotating top and bottom ball turrets. Detail of the massive Wright R-1820-97 "Cyclone" engines can be spied inside the cowlings while supercharger detail is clearly visible on the underside of each engine nacelle. The wings feature deployable flaps and simulated die-icing boots on the leading edges while the bomb-bay doors are hinged to reveal an ordnance load of eight 500 lb bombs. The mold comprises a large number of diecast components including the fuselage, wings and empennage and includes a heavily constructed all metal display-stand to support this massive aircraft for in-flight display.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range 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.
- Interchangeable 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 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
