Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA39503
Short Stirling B.Mk III Diecast Model
RAF No.218 Sqn, EF452, 1943

1:72 Scale		Length		Width
Short Stirling B.Mk III		14.5"		16.5"

The first of Britain's three WWII heavy bombers, the Short Stirling was also the least successful of the trio. Its short wingspan hampered its ability to fly at higher altitudes, thus making it more vulnerable to enemy flak, as well as the danger of bombs from higher flying Lancaster's and Halifax's hitting the aircraft from above. By 1943 only a limited number of squadrons still operated the type, including 218 Squadron. It was on a raid to Turin in Italy that Flight Sergeant Arthur Aaron was awarded Great Britain's highest honour, the Victoria Cross. While on the raid the Stirling was hit by enemy fire. This damaged the windscreen, the front and rear turrets were put out of action, the elevator control was damaged and three of the engines were hit. The navigator was killed and Flt. Sgt Aaron was also badly injured. Levelling the aircraft out at 3,000ft the bomb aimer took over flying duties as the crippled aircraft struggled towards Allied bases in North Africa. After receiving some medical attention Aaron assisted the bomb aimer in flying the aircraft, writing directions with his left hand he managed to help the bomb aimer perform a successful belly landing at Bone airfield. He passed away nine hours later.

Short Stirling B.Mk III

© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi's 1:72 scale Stirling is a large model in this scale, cleverly constructed in diecast metal with plastic components used in areas such as turrets and engines for maximum scale detail. The fuselage features transparent side mounted windows and the large cockpit canopy provides for easy viewing of crew figures. Each of the nose, dorsal and aft turrets can rotate and includes elevating machine guns. The central and internal wing bomb-bay compartments are constructed as subassemblies for quick and easy configuration. The model can be display on its gear, or quickly configured for display on its heavily constructed all-metal display stand.

© Copyright 2003-2019 The Flying Mule, Inc.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

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.