Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US35207
Curtiss P-40E Warhawk Diecast Model
RAAF No.3 Sqn, Robert Gibbes, North Africa, 1943, w/Nose Art Panel (Kittyhawk IA) | Limited Edition
2010
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Curtiss P-40E Warhawk | | 5.5" | | 6.25" |
One of Australia's leading aces in World War II, the diminutive Bobby Gibbes rose from pilot officer to command No.3 Sq., RAAF, flying 274 sorties and scoring ten and two shared victories during almost two years of service in North Africa. He flew "ET953," marked with his personal letter "V", while CO of the unit, claiming a Bf109 destroyed and a second damaged with it. Subsequently serving with Nos. 250 and 5 Squadrons, "ET953" was written off while still with the latter unit when it stalled on takeoff after its pilot tried to avoid a gun post at Neffatia on March 2, 1943.
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 Nose Art range aims to capture some of the superb works of art that adorned aircraft on all sides of the conflict. Each model includes a diecast body panel featuring the art in colourful, large-scale detail.
Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a pursuit aircraft, the P-40 Warhawk was first flown on October 14th, 1938. This aircraft was tough, virtually trouble-free and saw continual improvements to arms, armor and engines. The P-40 served in numerous combat areas; often outclassed by its adversaries in speed, maneuverability and rate of climb, it earned a reputation for extreme ruggedness. Its strong construction, heavy firepower, and ability to dive enabled it to compete with enemy fighters, and it was a formidable ground-attack aircraft. P-40s were also flown by the famed Flying Tigers against the Japanese in China. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale P-40 Warhawk series includes a wide selection of E and F variants. The landing gear and gear doors on each model are constructed as complete subassemblies for quick installation, with detail of the wing's construction visible inside the wheel wells on most models (see photos). Releases may also feature a center mounted fuel tank or bomb below the fuselage and a delicate photo-etched metal target sight in front of the canopy (see photos). The E variant includes a carburetor scoop on top of the engine cowling and pairs of exhaust nozzles on either side. The F variant is correctly modeled with an upgraded engine that features a slightly-forward radiator scoop, absent carburetor scoop and different exhaust stacks.
© 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 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
