Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA36613
Lockheed P-38J Lightning Diecast Model
USAAF 367th FG, 393rd FS, #44-23590 Scrapiron IV, Laurence Blumer, France, 1944 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Lockheed P-38J Lightning | | 6.25" | | 8.75" |
The 367th Fighter Group arrived in England in April 1944, and having trained on single engine fighters, they were expecting to find Mustangs waiting for them at RAF Stoney Cross – the twin engine P-38 Lightning proved to be something of a surprise. Following a period of re-training, the 367th were sent into battle and immediately began to make their mark. Laurence 'Scrappy' Blumer and his P-38 Lightning 'Scrapiron IV' earned the title 'the fastest ace in a day' and the award of a Distinguished Service Cross, for combat actions he was involved in, on 25th August 1944. Joining an already savage dogfight, Blumer shot down two FW190 fighters on his first pass and a further three within the next fifteen minutes, before the enemy fighters ran for cover. During this engagement, the Luftwaffe lost 25 aircraft destroyed, one probably destroyed and a further 17 suffering damage – by any standards, a mauling by pilots of the Fork-tailed devil.
Until the arrival of the P-51 Mustang, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was the primary long-range fighter of the USAAF and despite its size and unique appearance, it proved to be an exceptional fighting aircraft. For any fighter pilot embarking on a long-range patrol over enemy occupied territory, the two engines of the P-38 must have afforded them a high degree of reassurance, as opposed to the pilot of a single engine fighter. The Lightning could fly quite comfortably on one engine, which effectively doubled your chances of coming home safely. Luftwaffe pilots described the Lightning as the 'Fork tailed devil' and quickly learned to respect this extremely effective fighter, classing it as an adversary to be respected. The Lightning was distinctive for its very quiet operation, resulting from the engine exhausts being muffled by the twin turbo superchargers.
Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a high-performance fighter, the P-38 Lightning was first flown on January 27th, 1939. The easily recognizable P-38 had twin-booms, twin turbo-supercharged engines, a central pod for the pilot, contra-rotating propellers and tricycle landing gear. Its roles included dive bombing, level bombing, ground strafing and photo reconnaissance. When equipped with drop tanks it was also flown as a long-range escort fighter. The Lightning's armament was clustered in the nose of the plane, which gave the pilot a direct line of site to the target and also gave the weapons a "buzz saw" effect that was useful for strafing. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale P-38s have separately applied turbocharger detail and accurate twin engine radiator scoops mounted on the booms. The large canopy provides a clear view of the pilot figure and radio equipment located in the rear bay. Most releases include landing gear complete with tires that have a textured tread pattern, and gear doors that are easy to install for ground display. Some of the most remarkable releases in this series are fighter bombers with four machine gun barrels surrounding a center-mounted 20mm cannon barrel.
© Copyright 2003-2019 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.
