Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AN32224
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 78th FG, #44-72218 "Big Beautiful Doll", John Landers, Corgi 50th Anniversary Edition | Limited Edition
2006
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American P-51D Mustang | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
Celebrating 50 years of diecast model production, Corgi produced 2006 pieces of this limited edition model. This model includes a presentation display plinth, hand-painted resin pilot figure and replica pilot's notes for the aircraft. This model features permanently extended landing gear and the pilot's seat is empty. This model does not come with a display stand and is intended for "ground display" only.
The Mustang modelled is 44-72218, the 192nd of a batch of 3000 P-51Ds ordered on 7th June 1944, 24 hours after D-Day, June 6th 1944. With call sign 472218, it was coded WZ-I while flown in the European Theatre of Operations and carried the nose art of Big Beautiful Doll. It was flown by Colonel John Landers, Officer Commanding of the 78th Fighter Group, who flew a series of P-38s and P-51s all of which were named Big Beautiful Doll. Landers finished the war with 14.5 victories, plus 0 ground victories.
Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence." © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.
© Copyright 2003-2013 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.
