Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37207
Handley Page Halifax B.MK II Diecast Model
RAF Coastal Command No.502 Sqn, RAF Stornoway, Scotland, October 1944 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Handley Page Halifax B.MK II | | 12" | | 17.25" |
On the night of 3rd-4th October 1944, Halifax GRII, HR686 of 502 Sqn, based at Stornoway, and piloted by Canadians Flt Lt Patrick McManus and F/O Lawrence Lyttle, set off on its 100th operational sortie, a night anti-shipping patrol in the waters between Denmark and Norway. German nightfighters in the area forced the Halifax to operate at around 200 ft to discourage attacks. However on this occasion HR686 encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire and was hit and badly damaged by an armed steamer, the "Amisia". From the moment the aircraft was hit until it crashed into the sea McManus and Lyttle remained at their posts and managed to ditch in relatively flat attitude so the aircraft stayed afloat long enough for the crew to get out. Pat McManus was outstanding in his efforts, keeping the surviving crew together in the water as the dingy had been destroyed. He tied himself to a floating wheel from the aircraft and then using the straps from their Mae Wests managed to get the other survivors to tie themselves to him. Sadly three of the nine man crew were missing and a 4th was later lost. The surviving crew members were eventually picked up by the ship that shot them down and they became POWs. Both McManus and Lyttle were awarded the DFC for their brave actions.
Designed to meet an Air Ministry specification for a twin-engined "world-wide use" medium bomber, the Handley Page Halifax first flew on September 24, 1939. This aircraft was one of the first British bomber designs to use four engines. During WWII, it flew 82,773 operations for the RAF Bomber Command, dropping 224,207 tons of bombs. It also served as a glider tug and in special operations missions such as parachute drops of arms and agents over occupied Europe. Under the RAF Coastal Command, the aircraft served in reconnaissance and meteorological roles, and in anti-submarine warfare. After the war, Halifaxes went on to serve as freighters for British airlines. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Halifax includes a complete set of crew—there is a pilot and navigator in the cockpit and gunners occupying the dorsal and rear rotating turrets. The bomb-bay doors can be configured in the open position, revealing a full load of bombs. The series includes the early Mk.II, featuring a rotating nose turret, early style dorsal mounted turret and "D" shaped vertical stabilizers, and the Mk.III, featuring an upgraded dorsal turret and a single gun mounted to a transparent nose window. Each release includes landing gear that is easy to install for ground display and an all-metal stand for in-flight display.
© 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 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
