Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA38906
Fokker D.VII Diecast Model
Luftstreitkrafte Jasta 65, 4649/18 Seven Swabians, Wilhelm Scheutzel | |
| 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Fokker D.VII | | 5.75" | | 7.25" |
Although the air war had turned inexorably in favour of the Allies by the late summer of 1918, the Luftstreitkrafte were still able to introduce an aircraft which is generally considered to be the finest fighter of the Great War, the Fokker D.VII. German pilots had a saying that this new fighter could make a mediocre pilot good and a good pilot into an ace, but unfortunately this was to prove a case of too little, too late.
Fokker D.VII 4649/18 has to be considered one of the most flamboyantly decorated fighters of the Great War - adorning both sides of the aircraft's fuselage, an elaborate scene featuring the 'Seven Swabians' from a famous Brothers Grimm German Fairy Tale must have made for an unusual sight. Brandishing an oversized spear which required all seven of the Swabians to carry, the story tells the farcical tale of this hapless group and their futile attempts to achieve greatness through performing great deeds.
Showing an incredible level of artistic talent, the artwork was slightly different on both sides of the aircraft, however, despite all this decorative effort, this particular fighter was to achieve no more than two aerial victories during its short service career.
Designed by Reinhold Platz to participate in Germany's first single-seat fighter competition, the D.VII prototype (V.11) was first flown in December 1917. Constructed of fabric-covered wire-braced welded steel tubing and powered by an innovative 160 horsepower engine, the D.VII's greatest strength was its maneuverability at high altitudes. D.VII aircrews were equipped with two synchronized 7.92mm machine guns, with which they achieved some remarkable kill-to-loss ratios. By the end of WWI, the Fokker D.VII was regarded as the best German fighter in service, so good, in fact, that one of the Allies' Armistice terms was that all Fokker D.VII's be surrendered. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:48 scale Fokker D.VII has select parts constructed in diecast metal, including the lower wing and fuselage, bulkhead ribs and engine access panels. The top wing and rear control surfaces are made of plastic, which allows for greater detail on the ailerons, rudder and elevators. The cylinder heads of the inline six-cylinder BMW IIIa engine feature a separately applied exhaust pipe, and the undercarriage has fine gauge wire between the landing gear and simulated vulcanized natural rolling rubber tires. Additional details include a beautifully simulated wood propeller, delicate photo etched radiator grill and a detailed pilot figure sitting behind twin Spandau machine guns.
© Copyright 2003-2020 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.
