Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US31107
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Diecast Model
USCG, 1945 | Limited Edition
2310
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:144 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress | | 6.25" | | 8.75" |
B-17G-110-VE 44-85828 was one of the very last of the 12,731 Flying Fortresses built by Boeing between 1935 and 1945. Constructed in Burbank, CA, it was delivered to the USAAF in July 1945 and subsequently supplied to the US Navy. Issued with BuNo 77254, the aircraft was modified for USCG surveillance work and flown from stations in California and Alaska until 1959. Handed back to the USAF, it became the very last B-17 to be retired from US military service on October 14 that year. Sold into civilian ownership the following year, the aircraft was converted into a "borate bomber" for the aerial firefighting mission. Based in Wyoming and Montana with Aero Flite as tanker B-30 for the next 16 years, 44-85828 was eventually replaced by a C-54 tanker in May 1978 and retired to the Pima Museum in Tucson, AZ. It has been on static display in 390th Bomb Group colors for the past 28 years. Designed to meet a US Army Air Corps requirement for a multi-engined bomber to replace the B-10, the B-17 first flew on July 18, 1935. Best known for its role in the US Army Air Forces' daylight strategic bombing campaign during World War II, the B-17 could fly high and had a long range, and was capable of defending itself from enemy fighters. It was also tough, withstanding extensive battle damage, and was capable of carrying a 6,000 lb bombload. The B-17 became one of the symbols of Allied air power, equipping 32 overseas combat groups and dropping a total of 580,631 metric tons of bombs on European targets. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. Corgi's 1:144 scale B-17 series includes the early war B-17E and late war B-17F and B-17G variants. The cockpit canopy, ball turrets and rear gunner's canopy feature transparent windows, a feature uncommon in smaller scales. All machine gun stations include a sturdy all-metal machine gun that won't bend or break. These models are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic, a common quality of most of Corgi's 1:144 series aircraft. The tail and wing with integrated engine nacelles are solid diecast metal. Radial engine detail is present inside the engine nacelles behind the thinly stamped all-metal propellers. © 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 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. |
