Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA34801
Vickers Wellington Mk I Diecast Model
RAF No.9 Sqn |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Vickers Wellington Mk I | | 10.25" | | 14.25" |
The first RAF unit to be equipped with the Wellington was No.99 Squadron based at Mildenhall which received its first aircraft on 10th October 1938. By the start of the war in September 1939 there were ten squadrons in total that were equipped with Wellington bombers and No.9 Squadron based at Honington was the fourth to receive them from these ten first getting them in January 1939. Of this ten, eight (including No.9 Squadron) Wellington Squadrons comprised the total strength of No.3 Group, Bomber Command. Wellingtons conducted the first large-scale operational sorties of the war on behalf of the RAF. On 4th September 1939, 14 Wellingtons from Nos.9 and 149 Squadrons attacked enemy warships off Brunsbuttel in an abortive raid in which most aircraft failed to find their target. Those that did were to see that their bombs were mostly ineffective against the shipping they attacked. This Wellington was piloted by Sgt. Frank Petts and was decorated in the standard dark earth and dark green upper surfaces with the night undersides for the night time bombing missions they were largely involved in following a disasterous final day bombing mission on 18th Decmber 1939 which saw 12 of 24 Wellingtons destroyed. No more unescorted daylight raids were undertook till the end of the war and night bombing techniques were developed in which the Wellington featured strongly.
Designed to meet a British Air Ministry specification for a two-engine bomber, the Wellington was first flown on June 15th, 1936. Used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, the Wellington defended itself with machine guns: two in the front turret, four in the rear turret and an additional two in beam positions. Later in the war, the Wellington served as maritime patrol, anti-submarine. Equipped with radar and used as an Early Warning and Control aircraft, it operated at an altitude of some 4,000 ft over the North Sea, controlling Mosquito fighters intercepting He 111 bombers. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Wellington series is most notable for its replication of the "geodesic" type construction, similar to the construction method used to build airships. This construction method is replicated on the simulated fabric stretched wings and tail surfaces, and is clearly visible through the windows on the fuselage. Releases with configurable bomb load subassemblies have open bombay doors that expose an internal bomb load. The robust metal landing gear are quick and easy to install for ground display. Each release features a 90 degree rotating gunner's turret, and some include an array of delicate photo etched metal antennas.
© Copyright 2003-2013 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.
