Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA35301
North American B-25J Mitchell Diecast Model
USAAF 42nd BG, 390th BS Crusaders, "Heavenly Body", Sansapor, New Guinea, 1944 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American B-25J Mitchell | | 8.75" | | 11.25" |
On 20th February 1945 B-25J-25-NC USAAF S/N 44-30748 was delivered to the Army Air Force, however, at that stage in the Second World War, the aircraft was not immediately needed at the battle front, so the Mitchell was flown to South Plains Texas for initial storage (around 1000 Mitchells were stored or still active with the USAAF after WWII). During July 1947, 44-30748 was brought back to flying condition and ferried to Pyote, Texas for further storage. This B-25J did remain in service as the TB-25J multi-engine advanced trainer for military pilots until 1958. Following removal from military inventory in January 1959, it was then purchased by Avery Aviation and based at Greybull, Wyoming. In 1969 it was purchased by Filmways Inc and flown Tallmantz Aviation at Orange County, for the Paramount movie "Catch-22" and was one of 18 B-25 aircraft used in that film. In 1972 it was then purchased by the present owner and underwent extensive restoration with sheer blood, sweat and tears and did not fly again until 1974. Heavenly Body is still flying today and on a regular basis and is flown and maintained by all-volunteer crew. Heavenly Body has been attending and participating at airshows throughout the USA from the mid-1970s to the present day. In April 1992, Heavenly Body was the first B-25 in 50 years to fly from the deck of an aircraft carrier, the USS Ranger in San Diego Bay. That event was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of then, Colonel James Doolittle's flight of 16 B-25 aircraft from the Navy Carrier, USS Hornet (CV-8), on April 18th 1942 to bomb Japan for that country's attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941.
Originally designed as an attack bomber for export to France and the UK, the B-25 Mitchell was first flown on August 19, 1940. Rejected by the countries it was designed for in favor of the new Douglas DB-7, the B-25 later entered service with the Army Air Corps as a medium bomber. Early in its service career, the B-25 became famous for its role in the Doolittle Raid. Nearly 10,000 B-25s were built by North American Aviation, and the aircraft's service spanned four decades. Named for aviation pioneer Billy Mitchell, the B-25 is the only US military aircraft to bear the name of an individual person. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale B-25 series includes many variants, with features such as large greenhouse birdcage nose canopies and different engine cowlings. The most notable feature of this series is the variety of defensive and offensive gun emplacements found in each release, such as different tail gunner configurations, top turret positions and waist gunner positions. Additionally, different side-mounted guns on the sides of the fuselage used for strafing runs, waist gunners and a non-extendable ball turret are also featured on some releases. The bomb doors open to reveal two detailed 1,000 lb bombs and a nicely detailed bomb bay.
© 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.
