Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA31914
Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Diecast Model
RAF No.249 Sqn, BR323, George Beurling, RAF Takali, Malta, July 1942

1:72 Scale		Length		Width
Supermarine Spitfire Mk V		5"		6.25"

Between June 1940 and December 1942, Malta became one of the most bombed places on Earth. The battle for this tiny island proved to be one of the most decisive turning points of World War II. Malta, like Britain, was ill-prepared for war and when the first Italian bombers arrived over the island on June 11, 1940, had just a handful of loaned and modified Royal Navy Gloster Gladiator biplanes with which to defend the island. The first few Hurricanes arrived shortly after, although as soon as the Luftwaffe appeared over the island in January 1941, these fighter planes, which had done such sterling work during the Battle of Britain were shown to be massively inferior both in terms of numbers and performance to the German Messerschmitt 106Fs & Gs. Compounding the problems were the lack of spares and maintenance equipment, which meant that Malta's aircraft rarely operated at maximum performance anyway. By the end of January, the island had just 28 Hurricanes remaining from the 340 that had been delivered since the siege began. Many had been destroyed on the ground; the island's three airfields were bombed and strafed repeatedly. In March 1942, Takali airfield became the most bombed Allied airfirld in the history of warfare: 302 tons of bombs were dropped in a 24 hour period, more than had destroyed Coventry in November 1940. As elsewhere, Malta's fighter pilots were drawn from around the world: Britain, Canada, USA, Rhodesia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Many men made their reputations in the frantic struggle over Malta's skies, but perhaps none more than Canadian George "Screwball" Beurling. Arguably the most naturally gifted Allied fighter pilot of the war, Beurling shot down no less than 26 confirmed enemy aircraft between July and October 1942. No other Allied pilot could claim more victories in such a short time. BR323/S was flown predominantly by Beurling, it was initially damaged in two sorties he made on 6th July and grounded until the 10th and was then written off two days later after suffering further damage whilst being flown by another pilot.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk V

© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi's 1:72 scale Spitfire series includes many versions of this famous aircraft, from Mk I to the Griffon-engined variants with five bladed propellers. The characteristic under-wing mounted pitot tube and offset radiator and oil cooler ducts are mounted below the solid metal wings with a variety of machine guns and cannons. The all metal horizontal stabilizers and rudder feature simulated fabric stretched control surfaces. On some releases, the top engine cowing is removable to reveal engine detail engine and exhaust detail. The model is constructed almost entirely of solid diecast metal and feels surprisingly heavy in this scale.

© Copyright 2003-2019 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

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.