Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA38410
Bristol Blenheim Mk IV Diecast Model
RAF No.68 Sqn, Z5722 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Bristol Blenheim Mk IV | | 7.25" | | 9.25" |
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IVF G-BPIV, Z5722 / WM-Z Spirit of "Britain First", Duxford Airfield, 28th May 1993, restored as a Mk.IVF Nightfighter, the personal aircraft of the Commanding Officer, RAF No.68 Squadron, Wing Commander Max Aitken DSO, DFC, CZMC With the restoration team behind the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim having to suffer the devastation of seeing their magnificent aircraft crashing at an Airshow in June 1987, only four weeks after making its first flight, you might think they would have struggled to find the resolve to start all over again. Thankfully, they were in no mood to accept defeat and almost immediately started a campaign to fund a second restoration, whilst at the same time scouring the world for the parts they would need. Using the wealth of experience they had gained during the initial restoration, this second project would be completed in around half the time and see a beautiful new Blenheim ready to make its first post restoration flight at Duxford in May 1993.
Looking very different to the first aircraft, Blenheim G-BPIV was built as an all-black Mk.IVF nightfighter, with the serial Z5722 and wearing the codes WM-Z. This scheme was selected in honour of Wing Commander the Hon Max Aitken DSO, DFC, CZMC, as his personal aircraft during his time as the Commanding Officer of No.68 Squadron at RAF High Ercall during 1941. The aircraft also carried the name Spirit of "Britain First" on its port side fuselage, in direct reference to the name carried by the first Blenheim ever to fly.
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 2003-2024 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 2003-2024 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.
