Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA34410
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 352nd FG, 328th FS, #44-14906 Cripes A' Mighty, George Preddy, Asche Airfield, Belgium, December 25th 1944 | |
| 1:32 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51D Mustang | | 12" | | 14" |
PLEASE NOTE: This item is not currently in stock and has a planned arrival date of October 2026.- Orders may not ship until complete. If you wish to receive in-stock items prior to pre-ordered items, you must place separate orders.
- Arrival dates are subject to change. Consider them to be estimates as manufacturers frequently revise them.
- Credit Cards are not billed until time of shipment. PayPal payment (not recommended) is required at time of order.
George Preddy had already established himself as one of the most successful American fighter aces in the European Theatre when he returned from a period of rest to take command of the 328th Fighter Squadron. His latest Mustang, "Cripes A'Mighty", was distinctively presented to reflect his status as an elite pilot. On 23rd December 1944, Preddy flew his squadron to the advanced Allied airfield Y-29 at Ache in Belgium, providing crucial air cover during the Ardennes Offensive.
Christmas Day 1944 would mark Preddy's final mission. Leading his unit against Luftwaffe fighters, he claimed two more Messerschmitt Bf 109Gs in a savage dogfight, though his squadron became scattered in the chaos. Vectored towards another German formation near Liege, Preddy spotted a lone Focke-Wulf flying dangerously low near Allied lines. As he pursued at treetop height, American anti-aircraft batteries unleashed everything they had at the enemy fighter. Flying so close behind his target, Preddy's Mustang was caught in the devastating crossfire. At just 25 years old, the top-scoring P-51 Mustang ace of the European Theatre was killed in a tragic friendly fire incident. His commanding officer, John C. Meyer, remembered him as "the greatest fighter pilot to have ever squinted through a gunsight, the complete fighter pilot." For our tomorrow, he gave his today.
Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence." © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:32 scale P-51 Mustang is a large scale model loaded with features. All of the control surfaces, the landing gear and gear doors are moveable with metal hinges. The upper portion of the engine cowling is removable, revealing a masterfully rendered V-12 Merlin engine. Beneath the removable covers on each wing are detailed machine guns and ammo belts. The cockpit interior and detailed pilot figure are easily viewed with the canopy open or closed.
© Copyright 2003-2026 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.
