Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37609
Westland Wessex HCC.Mk 4 Diecast Model
RAF Queen's Flight, XV733, RAF Hendon, England, 2015 | Limited Edition
1200
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Westland Wessex HCC.Mk 4 | | 11" | | 9.25" |
The Westland Wessex was a turbine-powered helicopter which was a development of the American Sikorsky S58. It was picked up by the RAF from the Royal Navy in the early sixties when they required a general-purpose helicopter capable of carrying troops, conducting ground attacks and acting as an air ambulance. In 1969, two Wessexes were ordered with specific modifications in mind, with the aim of VIP use, specifically with The Queen's Flight. Prince Charles, Princess Anne and The Queen Mother were regular passengers, with Prince Philip even piloting the aircraft over the years. It wasn't until August 1977 that Queen Elizabeth herself finally took her seat on board and took to the skies. Now housed in the RAF museum in Hendon, it continues to draw a crowd.
Designed by Sikorsky as a US Navy anti-submarine military helicopter, the CH-34 Choctaw first flew on March 8, 1954. This prolific aircraft saw action in Vietnam and is one of history's most successful helicopters, flown on every continent with the armed forces of 25 nations. It has served in an anti-submarine role, as VIP transport, for troop and utility transport and as a search and rescue vehicle. Under various designations, Choctaws have been operated by the US Marine Corps, the US Navy, the US Army and the coast guard. The type also served with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as the turbine-engined Wessex. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale CH-34/Wessex helicopters are wonderfully detailed with two sets of rotor blades—one with drooping blades for ground display and another with blades that are curved upwards for in-flight display. The main and tail rotor heads spin and the "green-house" canopy with separately applied photo-etched metal wiper blades is large, allowing for easy viewing of the cockpit interior and crew figures. The sliding cargo door opens effortlessly to reveal additional crew figures and the interior of the cargo-hold. Each release highlights one of many nose mounted engine configurations and lower fuselage details.
© Copyright 2003-2020 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.
