Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US37102
North American P-51B Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 4th FG, 336th FS, #43-6913 Shangri-La, Don Gentile, RAF Debden, England, March 1944 | Limited Edition
1750
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51B Mustang | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
Don Gentile had claimed 21.8 aerial and six ground strafing kills by April 1944. This tally prompted Gen. Eisenhower to sub him a "one-man air force." Trained in Canada after being rejected by the USAAC, Gentile claimed his first kill with the RAF in Spitfires. He then scored two in USAAF spitfires and four in P-47s, before converting onto the P-51st claiming an additional 15.5 up to April 13, 1944. The majority of his claims came in this aircraft, which became one of the best-known P-51s of the Eighth Air Force in WII. It was written off at the end of Gentile's last mission n April 13, 1944. He clipped the ground at Debden while eating up the airfield for the attending press, who had gathered to welcome him back from his final sortie. The aircraft broke its back in the resulting crash-landing. Gentile as subsequently killed in a post-war flying accident.
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 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.
© Copyright 2003-2019 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.
