Corgi Flying Mule Collection US33820
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Diecast Model
USAAF 4th FG, 336th FS, Donnie Boy, Don Gentile, RAF Debden, England, 1944

1:72 Scale		Length		Width
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt		6"		6.75"

Dominic Gentile began his fighter pilot career in the RAF, where he was a member of the No. 133 Eagle Squadron, an elite flying force consisting entirely of American born pilots. It was in the cockpit of a Supermarine Spitfire that Gentile made his first mark as a great pilot, earning the British Distinguished Flying Cross after shooting down two German aircraft within 10 minutes of each other.

The following month, Gentile and his fellow Eagle Squadron pilots were transitioned from RAF duty to the US Air Force 336th Fighter Squadron, Fourth Fighter Group, a unit that went on to become one of the most successful air combat units of WWII. The 336th continued to fly Spitfires (Gentile's USAAF Spitfire is also available as a Flying Mule edition) until the P-47 Thunderbolt came on the scene in 1943. Used to the lighter, more maneuverable Spitfire, Gentile was not pleased with his new plane, but he christened it "Donnie Boy" and went on to score 4.33 victories in its cockpit, two of which occurred during a famous low-altitude dogfight in which he out-maneuvered an Fw-190. During that battle, Gentile shot down two Fw-190s but ran out of ammunition and was forced to out-fly a pursuing Fw-190 until it, too exhausted its ammunition. The incident was a remarkable example of Gentile's skill in the cockpit-not many pilots could fly a tight-turning dogfight in a P-47 against a pursuing Fw-190 and come away the winner.

While serving in the 336th, Gentile and fellow ace Duane Beeson began a friendly rivalry nicknamed "The Ace Race" (Beeson's P-47 is also available from Corgi). Both men were so dedicated to their goal of scoring the highest number of German kills that they exchanged leave time for the opportunity to fly. The record was ultimately captured by Gentile when he broke Rickenbacker's record of 26 kills on April 5, 1944, at the age of 23.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

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Corgi's 1:72 scale P-47 series includes both the "razorback" and "bubble-top" canopy styles, with separate castings for each fuselage. The models in this series are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used. Details of the radial engine and air intake are visible inside the oval engine cowling. The turbo-supercharger exhaust vent and separately applied intercooler exit doors are nicely detailed at the rear of the fuselage. Each release in the series includes different weapons ordnance or external fuel tanks. The four staggered machine gun barrels that protrude from each of the wings' leading edges are constructed of rigid plastic, and there are shell casing vents below each wing.

© Copyright 2003-2020 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi Flying Mule Collection

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.