Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA27608
Hawker Hurricane Mk I Diecast Model
RAF No.87 Sqn, P2798, Ian Gleed, RAF Colerne, England, 1941

1:72 Scale		Length		Width
Hawker Hurricane Mk I		5.25"		6.75"

Having already gained his pilot's licence as a civilian, Ian Richard Gleed successfully applied for an RAF commission in 1936 and on completion of his training, was posted to No.46 Squadron at Kenley, to fly Gloster Gauntlet fighters. Later transferring to No.266 Squadron as a Flight Commander, Gleed was fortunate to survive an incident in early 1940 when the Spitfire in which he was flying broke up in mid-air and whilst he was able to get out of the aircraft safely, the incident did result in him requiring a period of hospitalisation. On his return to flying duties, Gleed was posted to No.87 Squadron, who were flying Hawker Hurricane fighters and quickly sent to France as part of the Royal Air Force component of the British Expeditionary Force. He would immediately make his mark on the fighting, not only showing great courage in the face of the enemy, but also taking a heavy toll of Luftwaffe aircraft in the process. It is thought that Flt. Lt. Gleed achieved "Ace" status quicker than any other RAF pilot in WWII, taking just two days to dispatch 2 Bf 110s, a Bf 109 and two Do17 bombers, with several other aircraft either shared or claimed "probables" during the same period. Despite this, the inexorable advance of the Germans could not be stopped and the Hurricanes of No.87 Squadron would soon be forced to return to England.Once back in Britain, No.87 Squadron were initially stationed at Church Fenton in Yorkshire, but soon made the move south to Exeter. Unusually, the Squadron refused the opportunity to trade their Hurricanes for new Spitfires, as it was reported that Gleed and fellow pilot Roland Beamont were easily able to out-manoeuvre Spitfires during mock dogfight trials. Seeing service throughout the Battle of Britain, once the Luftwaffe's raids moved to night bombing attacks, No.87 Squadron were given the task of providing nightfighter protection for Bristol and whilst this force was still very much in its infancy, Gleed was able to add a further two Luftwaffe aircraft to his growing victory tally.Perhaps one of the most famous Hurricanes of the entire Battle of Britain period, Ian Gleed's Hurricane P2798 was the subject of several famous wartime photographs, ones which show the aircraft in several different presentations. Featuring a distinctive red spinner and unusual red painted area on the engine cowling behind the spinner, the aircraft also sports unique "Figaro the Cat" artwork on the starboard side of the fuselage, under the cockpit - he appears to be enthusiastically destroying a swastika. Once transferred to night operations, the standard day camouflage of this aircraft was almost completely overpainted in black, except for the rudder and Gleed's personal markings, which retained the camouflage sections on which they were originally painted, including the area under "Figaro" the cat.

Hawker Hurricane Mk I

© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi's 1:72 scale Hurricanes are beautifully recreated, with simulated fabric stretched over the wings, rudder, elevators and empennage stringers. On some releases, the top engine cowing is removable, revealing details of the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Each release highlights a fighter or attack variant with tank busting cannons mounted under each wing for ground attack, or internal mounted machine guns inside the wing for air to air combat–complete with vents to eject spent shell casings. The pinned landing gear quickly locks into place for ground display.

© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

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.