Corgi Flying Mule Collection US37103
North American P-51C Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 332nd FG, 302nd FS Tuskegee Airmen, "INA the Macon Belle", Buddy Archer, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944 | Limited Edition
1500
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51C Mustang | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
Born in New York, Lee "Buddy" Archer was driven to join the Army Reserves in an effort to stem the Nazi tide in Europe. During his flight training at Tuskegee, Alabama, he was horrified by the racism he encountered in the southern states, and he vowed to campaign against this after he had first helped defeat the Germans. Awarded his wings on July 28, 1943, and made a second lieutenant, Archer was posted to the 332nd FG's 302nd FS in the MTO. The only all-black group in the entire USAAF, the 332nd was based at various locations in southern Italy during Archer's tour of duty. The racist attitude prevalent in American society at the time was also alive in the armed forces, and it raised its ugly head following Archer's three kill haul on October 12. The USAAF did not want a black ace, and with Archer having earlier claimed single victories on July 18 and 20, they now had one. Alarmed by this turn of events, the Army Air Force retrospectively credited his wingman with share of his first claim on July 18! Despite protests from the wingman, ho denied he played any part in this victory, the kill officially remained hared. Archer never flew in combat again, being hastily transferred out of the frontline. Despite being cheated of his ace status by the Army Air Force, Archer realized that the best way to stamp out racism in the armed forces was to remain in uniform, so he continued to serve both with the USAAF and the fully independent USAF postwar. Retiring from the Air Force in August 1970 as a lieutenant colonel, he eventually rose to the position of chairman of America's largest African-American-owned food-processing company, before taking full retirement.
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 2003-2025 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 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Flying Mule Collection" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Models in this range are produced in limited quantities with individually numbered certificates as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series. They are highly collectible and have become very desirable among Corgi Aviation Archive collectors.
Corgi "Flying Mule Collection" 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".
- Numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Commissioned box artwork.
- Detailed 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 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
