Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37705
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Diecast Model
RFC No.56 Sqn, James McCudden, Balzieux, France, February 1918 | Limited Edition
1100
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a | | 5.25" | | 6.75" |
James McCudden joined the RFC in 1913 and rose through the ranks, from Air Mechanic to Major, to become the British Empire's most decorated pilot of WWI. He amassed a total of fifty seven victories and was awarded the VC for "conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance and a high devotion to duty". In mid-1917 Captain McCudden was appointed Flight Commander of 56 Sqn flying SE5As. McCudden scored thirty two victories in SE5A, B4891 which he flew from December 1917 until March 1918 when he left 56 Sqn. He fitted the aircraft with the spinner from a LVG C.V which he had shot down and it was claimed it increased the top speed of the aircraft by 3mph. On 9th July 1918 McCudden was tragically killed when a new SE5a he was flying, stalled shortly after takeoff and crashed. He was just 23 years old.
Designed by H.P.Folland as an easy-to-fly fighter, The Royal Aircraft Factory's S.E.5a bi-plane was first flown in 1917. Together with the Sopwith Camel, the S.E.5 was instrumental in regaining allied air superiority. Both friend and foe recognized the S.E.5 as a formidable fighting machine. It was fast, extremely strong and easy to fly, and was the aircraft of many WWI aces. Later model S.E.5a's had Wolseley Viper 200 hp engines, which ended the engine problems of earlier designs. A Vickers gun was fired through the air screw with synchronizing gear, and a Lewis could be fired over the top wing or directly upwards. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:48 scale S.E.5a models are a part of their popular WWI series. These models are beautifully detailed, with fine gauge wire used to represent bracing wires between the simulated fabric stretched wings. The cylinder heads of the V-8 Hispano-Suiza engine rise through the cowling and feature separately applied long exhaust pipes on both sides of the fuselage. A finely detailed photo-etched metal gun sight and a telescopic "Aldis" gun sight are mounted in front of a detailed pilot figure. The Lewis machine gun, with its Foster mount, is wonderfully detailed on the top wing. A two or four bladed propeller is mounted in front of the radiator shutters, and there is a gun port for the second, internal gun. The model rests on rolling rubber tires that accurately simulate the gray color that vulcanized natural rubber takes on after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
© 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 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
