Corgi Diecast Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Memphis Belle”

Description: Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA31104 Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Diecast Model USAAF 91st BG, 324th BS, "Memphis Belle", RAF Bassingbourn, England, 1942 1:144 Scale Length Width Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress. 6.25" 8.75" Please note - box worn with age Model mint condition- Check out the photos Memphis Belle was delivered on 15th July 1942 and assigned to Lt. Robert K. Morgan of the 324th BS, 91st BG. Named after Morgan's fiancee Margaret Polk, she was to become the most famous of all Flying Fortresses. Fate stepped in when Academy-Award winning film director William Wyler came to England in late 1942. He wanted to make a film which would show the kind of war the 8th Air Force was fighting and what it hoped to achieve. Wyler had decided to build his story around one aircraft and one crew completing their combat tour of 25 missions, a feat that was already steeped in folklore due to its rarity. With no staging and no script there was always the chance that the Memphis Belle wouldn't make it, but in dramatic and morale-boosting style the mission was completed and the aircraft was flown home to raise money in the Sixth War Bond Drive and tour US training bases. The final mission was an attack on the U-Boat yards at Kiel on the 19th May 1943, piloted by Lt. C. L. Anderson. During her seven months of combat she had aborted three times for mechanical reasons but otherwise had completed every mission. In 1972 a committee led by Frank Donofrio began a crusade to save the B-17 and fifteen years later the restored aircraft was on permanent display at a specially built museum. Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress 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. 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. 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.

Price: 54.45 GBP

Location: Leatherhead

End Time: 2025-01-25T15:20:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 40.39 GBP