Corgi AA34404 North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model USAAF 3rd ACG, 3rd FS, Jumpin' Jaques, Jaques Young, Mindoro, Philippines, January 1945

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA34404
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 3rd ACG, 3rd FS, Jumpin' Jaques, Jaques Young, Mindoro, Philippines, January 1945

In September 1941, the Philippine Department Air Force was established, which was later renamed as the Far East Air Force. This force saw its first combat action under this name. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces launched an attack on US bases in the Philippines, destroying most of the aircraft while they were still grounded. The remaining aircraft of the Far East Air Force helped in conducting defensive operations, allowing US and allied forces to retreat to the northern coast of Australia. The Far East Air Force was redesignated as the Fifth Air Force and placed under the command of Major General George Kenney when they reached Australia in 1942. Kenney was General Douglas MacArthur's component commander for all allied air services. Fifth Air Force, under Kenney's leadership, provided aerial support for MacArthur's island hopping campaign.

The P-51 Mustang was designed in response to a requirement from the RAF for a fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. It first flew on October 26th, 1940. This aircraft was versatile as it could escort bombers on long-range missions, engage in dogfights, and destroy enemy 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. The US and Britain both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which significantly improved the performance of the aircraft. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."

Corgi's 1:32 scale P-51 Mustang is a large scale model that comes with many features. All of the control surfaces, the landing gear, and gear doors are moveable, with metal hinges. The upper portion of the engine cowling can be removed, revealing a masterfully crafted V-12 Merlin engine. Beneath the removable covers on each wing, detailed machine guns and ammunition belts are present. The cockpit interior and detailed pilot figure are easily visible with the canopy open or closed.

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range offers highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The 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. The markings and placards are pad printed and won't fade or peel like decals. The extended/retracted landing gear is also interchangeable with rotating wheels. There is a poseable presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight." There are many limited editions with numbered certificates of authenticity and detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures. Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards are also present. Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies, and access panels, and moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces, and swing-wings are present as well.