Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA34710
GAF Canberra B.Mk 20 Diecast Model
RAAF No.2 Sqn, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam, 1969 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| GAF Canberra B.Mk 20 | | 11" | | 11.25" |
During the Vietnam War, eight Royal Australian Air Force Canberras from No.2 Squadron operated under a memorandum of understanding between the RAAF and the USAF, operating from Phan Rang Air Base in central South Vietnam, attached for the duration to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force. These aircraft would provide crucial additional strike support for US units and were requested because of the aircraft's endurance, bombing accuracy and their ability to operate below the notoriously low cloud bases which often affected this region, if required.
The first RAAF Canberra arrived at Phan Rang on 16th April 1967 having made the two hour transit flight from its base at Butterworth in Malaysia and the eight allocated aircraft would go on to serve with distinction during a four year period operating in support of the Vietnam War. With both RAAF air and ground crews operating at maximum efficiency, the Australian Canberras posted an impressive serviceability rate of 97%, but perhaps even more impressive than this, despite only flying 6% of the USAF 35th TFW's operational sorties during the conflict, they managed to inflict 16% of the damage inflicted.
By the time No.2 Squadron returned to Australia in 1971, they had become the final operational Canberra unit in the RAAF, but returned with a proud record of both serviceability and operational effectiveness throughout their deployment.
Designed s a successor to the de Havilland Mosquito, the English Electric Canberra was first flown on May 13, 1949. Like the Mosquito, this high-altitude, high-speed bomber had no defensive armament. Instead, it was designed with room only for a large bomb load and two powerful jet engines, and with a state-of-the-art aerodynamic shape and the speed to avoid airborne conflict altogether. Its design was so adaptable that its role was expanded to include tactical bombing and reconnaissance. It set a world altitude record in 1957 and served for an astonishing 57 years, retiring in 2006. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Canberra is one of the largest of any jet models available in this scale, similar in size to a WWII heavy bomber. The massive wing with its long integrated engine nacelles features turbofan and exhaust details at the rear. The robust landing gear with actuator and is easy to install and locks into place for ground display. The nose has a transparent bomb-aimers window, a large bubble fighter-style canopy and a pilot figure. The series includes both early and late variants with a heavily offset tear drop canopy featured on the later variant.
© Copyright 2003-2024 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.
