Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA35308
North American B-25D Mitchell Diecast Model
USAAF 345th BG, 498th BS Air Apaches, "Crabb 2nd", Dobodura, New Guinea, 1943 | Limited Edition
1740
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American B-25D Mitchell | | 8.75" | | 11.25" |
The 345th Medium Bombardment Group, "The Air Apaches" were widely known in the Southwest Pacific theatre. Their brightly painted Falcon or Parrot (498th Sqdn), Bat (500th Sqdn) and Panther (498th Sqdn), Bat (499th Sqdn), Bat (500th Sqdn) and Panther (501st Sqdn) Mitchell B-25 twin engine bombers flew at low level, often at tree-top height. Converted to gun nosed B-25's, with up to 12 forward firing fifty caliber machine guns they were well respected and feared by the Japanese. Used in conjunction with the heavy firepower were parafrag bombs, bombs using parachutes to allow the bomber to move away to a safe distance before denotation. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, the 345th entered combat on June 30, 1943 from New Guinea. Missions flown were; Bombing/strafing airfields and installations, attacking shipping, supporting ground forces, dropping supplies and flying courier and reconnaissance missions. Crabb 2nd is a B-25D-1 of the 498th BS/345th BG out of Dobudura, New Guinea in December 1943. This plane features a stylized parrot on the nose, with white striped tails and the name (painted as a crab) on the right side.
Originally designed as an attack bomber for export to France and the UK, the B-25 Mitchell was first flown on August 19, 1940. Rejected by the countries it was designed for in favor of the new Douglas DB-7, the B-25 later entered service with the Army Air Corps as a medium bomber. Early in its service career, the B-25 became famous for its role in the Doolittle Raid. Nearly 10,000 B-25s were built by North American Aviation, and the aircraft's service spanned four decades. Named for aviation pioneer Billy Mitchell, the B-25 is the only US military aircraft to bear the name of an individual person. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale B-25 series includes many variants, with features such as large greenhouse birdcage nose canopies and different engine cowlings. The most notable feature of this series is the variety of defensive and offensive gun emplacements found in each release, such as different tail gunner configurations, top turret positions and waist gunner positions. Additionally, different side-mounted guns on the sides of the fuselage used for strafing runs, waist gunners and a non-extendable ball turret are also featured on some releases. The bomb doors open to reveal two detailed 1,000 lb bombs and a nicely detailed bomb bay.
© 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.
