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Code: CG-US39914

Status: Sold out - Discontinued
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Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US39914
Diecast Model
USAAF 325th FG Checkertails, Warren Penny and Robert Barkey, Italy, 1944, 2-Piece Set

Limited Edition
1200
Pieces Worldwide

1:72 Scale     Length     Width
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt     6"     6.75"
North American P-51B Mustang     5.25"     6.25"

The Checkertail Clan was one of the most famous Fighter Groups to serve in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Entering combat on April 17, 1943 flying P-40s, the 325th FG later re-equipped with P-47s and ended the war flying P-51s. They flew their first missions, from North Africa, while part of the 12th Army Air Force. In November 1943, they became part of the 306th Fighter Wing, and moved to Italy with the newly formed 15th AAF, for the remainder of the war. Three squadrons, the 317th, 318th, and 319th formed the 325th.

The second P-47D supplied to 1Lt Penny during his copmbat tour with the Checkertails was unusual in being only one of a handful of natural metal finish Thunderbolts flown by the 325th FG prior to its transition to P-51 Mustangs.

Having flown 47 combat missions, and claimed four aerial victories, Capt Bob Barkey was issued with this P-51B, name in honour of his wife, in May 1944. Standing at almost 6ft 4in tall, Barkey was nearly transferred to a bomber unit when the 325th FG transitioned from the roomy P-47 to the snug P-51. According to his son, he fought to stay in fighters since he was desperate to claim that all-important fifth aerial kill that would give him Ace status. His crew chief, S/Sgt Schneider, duly tore the seat adjustor out of Barkey's Mustang and welded the seat to the floor as far back as it would go. This strictly unauthorised modification clearly did the trick, as Barkey completed a further six missions with the 325th FG and claimed his fifth kill, prior to returning home.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

Designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter, the P-47 was first flown on May 6th, 1941. Later models featured a "bubble-top" canopy rather than the sharply peaked "razorback" fuselage which resulted in poor visibility for the aircraft's pilot. The P-47, a deadly pursuit aircraft, featured 8 x 12.7mm machine guns; all mounted in the wings. Even with the complicated turbosupercharger system, the sturdy airframe and tough radial engine, the P-47 ("Jug" or "Juggernaut" as it was nicknamed) could absorb damage and still return home. Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph.

North American P-51B Mustang

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."