Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37301
de Havilland Vampire FB.Mk 5 Diecast Model
RAF No.603 & No.612 Sqns, EGL Millington, 1950s | Limited Edition
2150
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| de Havilland Vampire FB.Mk 5 | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
No. 603 re-formed as a unit of the Auxiliary Air Force on May 10, 1946, and began recruiting personnel to man a Spitfire squadron during June at Turnhouse. Receiving its first Spitfire in October, it flew this type until conversion to Vampires in May 1951. No. 612 Squadron also re-formed Spitfires in November 1946 at Aberdeen/Dyce and also converted to Vampires in June 1951. Both squadrons flew these until the Royal Auxiliary Air Force disbanded on March 10, 1957. Both Squadrons were commanded by Wing Commander E.G.L. Millington, whose personal aircraft wore his initials on the nose. A by-election in 1945 while the war was still underway made him the youngest, and most reluctant, Member of Parliament, and the only elected representative of the left-wing Commonwealth Party. His life has led him from Essex to the Dordogne via Bomber Command, to the House of Commons, to a third career teaching in inner London and to a happy retirement in France, where he resides today.
Designed for the RAF as an experimental jet fighter, the de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was first flown on September 20, 1943. The Vampire was the second jet fighter to serve in the RAF, but it was introduced too late to see combat during WWII. It did, however, serve in front line squadrons until 1955, and it was used as a trainer for more than a decade afterwards. This important aircraft is notable for its many achievements; it was the first RAF fighter to exceed 500 mph, the first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic, and the first jet to take off from and land on an aircraft carrier. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Vampires feature panel line detail that is exceptionally fine for a diecast metal model. Turbojet intakes are veined and individually painted with separately applied exhaust nozzle detailing at the rear. Four cannon and shell-casing ejection ports are located beneath the nose. The tail booms and elevators of this model are plastic, a feature designed to correct the model's center of gravity for proper ground display. The series includes a single-seat fighter-bomber and a two-seat trainer, with larger nose and canopy as well as redesigned twin rudders and larger elevators.
© Copyright 2003-2013 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 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
