Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA27708
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 356th FG, 361st FS, #44-15152 Jersey Jerk, Don Strait, RAF Martlesham Heath, 1945

1:72 Scale		Length		Width
North American P-51D Mustang		5.25"		6.25"

1. Orders may not ship until complete. If you wish to receive in-stock items prior to pre-ordered items, you must place separate orders.
2. Arrival dates are subject to change. Consider them to be estimates as manufacturers frequently revise them.
3. Credit Cards are not billed until time of shipment. PayPal payment (not recommended) is required at time of order.

As far as distinctively presented Mustangs of the Second World War are concerned, few were as colourful as the machines flown by the 356th Fighter Group of the US Army Air Force. Flying out of RAF Martlesham Heath in Suffolk, just a short flight from Britain's North Sea coast, the group were colloquially referred to as the "Martlesham Playboys" or, perhaps more understandably, the "Blue Diamonds".

After completing his flight training in the US, Donald J Strait arrived in England to fly the P-47 Thunderbolt in autumn 1943. A native of Verona, New Jersey, he proudly took the name of his home state into combat with the Luftwaffe in the skies above Europe, naming his aircraft "Jersey Jerk". Achieving three aerial victories whilst flying the Thunderbolt, Strait enjoyed his most prolific period of combat success once his unit converted to the North American P-51D Mustang at the end of 1944.

Wearing the distinctive markings of the 356th Fighter Group, Captain Strait and his "Jersey Jerk" scored a further 10.5 confirmed aerial victories in the final months of the Second World War, including a productive day on 20th February 1945 when he dispatched three Fieseler Storch Luftwaffe observation aircraft in the same mission. With a total of 13.5 aerial victories, Donald Strait ended the war as the most successful ace pilot in the 356th Fighter Group

North American P-51D Mustang

© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi's 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.

© 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.