Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA38409
Bristol Blenheim Mk IV Diecast Model
RAF, R3843, Operation Leg, August 19th 1941 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Bristol Blenheim Mk IV | | 7.25" | | 9.25" |
At a time when Britain and her Commonwealth were enduring their 'Darkest Hour', the nation were in need of inspirational heroes and perhaps nobody answered this call more famously than Douglas Bader. Losing both his legs as a result of a pre-war flying accident, Bader's determination to re-join the RAF saw him playing a significant role in leading Fighter Command's defiant resistance against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and later taking part in fighter sweeps over Northern France, as the RAF went on the offensive. It was during one of these operations on 9th August 1941 that Bader's Spitfire collided with another aircraft, severing the tail and sending him spinning towards the ground. Although managing to exit the aircraft and parachute to safety, one of his prosthetic legs had remained stuck in the cockpit and crashed to earth with the stricken Spitfire. Clearly a huge propaganda coup for the Germans, they contacted the RAF with news of Bader's capture and to offer safe passage to an aircraft bringing a replacement leg for their illustrious guest. Not wanting to allow the Germans an even greater propaganda victory, the RAF planned to parachute drop a new leg, not by accepting the safe passage option, but as part of a full 'Circus' bombing raid. On 19th August 1941, six Blenheim Mk.IVs supported by a large force of Spitfires launched an attack against the power station at Gosnay, with Blenheim R3843 also carrying a rather unusual payload, Douglas Bader's new leg. The wooden box containing the prosthetic limb was unceremoniously bundled out of the Blenheim over the target area, before all six bombers turned for home, their bombs unreleased, due to heavy cloud cover over the target area and the fear of inaccurate bombing causing civilian casualties. The protecting Spitfires did not fare so well, with eight aircraft lost during the operation.
Designed in response to a challenge by media mogul Lord Rothermere, who wanted the British to recapture the title of "fastest European civilian aircraft," the Bristol Blenheim first flew as "Britain First" on April 12, 1935. Faster than any fighter then in service with the RAF, the aircraft captured the attention of the Air Ministry, which issued a specification for a bomber version. The Blenheim was used extensively during the early part of WWII and was later adapted as a night fighter. It was one of the first British aircraft to use flaps, retractable landing gear and variable pitch propellers. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Blenheim series highlights its many roles as a light bomber, a night-fighter and a ground attack aircraft. The most notable difference between the Blenheim's variants was the Mk IV's longer asymmetric nose, with the area in front of the pilot "scooped out," which provided maximum visibility. Night fighter releases of this model feature a special gun pack under the fuselage armed with four machine guns. The 360 degree rotating dorsal mounted gunner's station includes a nicely detailed pivoting Lewis machine gun. The robust metal landing gear is quick and easy to install for ground display.
© 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 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
