CORGI AA99126 Diecast Model USAAF 8th Army Air Force, 3-Piece Set

CORGI AA99126 Diecast Model USAAF 8th Army Air Force, 3-Piece Set

The Mighty Eighth was the largest air armada in the history of warfare. The heroic actions of the airmen who flew in this group during World War II preserved freedom throughout the world and changed the course of history. This 3-piece set celebrates this legendary group of men and machines and includes the B-17F named 'Miss Minookie', which flew with the 8th from 1942 until February 21st, 1944, when it was shot down by fighters over Luechtreigen, Germany. Accompanying it are examples of the two celebrated fighters, the P-47D Thunderbolt 'Rozzie Geth II/Miss Fire' of Captain Frederick Christensen, which flew with 62nd FS/56th FG based at Boxted in July 1944, and the P-51D Mustang of the 375th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group based at several airfields around the UK. The squadron received Mustangs while based in Bottisham, Cambridgeshire in May 1944 before moving to Little Walden in Essex.

The Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress was designed to meet a US Army Air Corps requirement for a multi-engined bomber to replace the B-10. It was first flown on July 18, 1935, and became 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.

The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt was designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter. It was first flown on May 6th, 1941. Later models featured a "bubble-top" canopy rather than the sharply peaked "razorback" fuselage which resulted in poor visibility for the aircraft's pilot. The P-47 was a deadly pursuit aircraft and featured 8 x 12.7mm machine guns, all mounted in the wings. Even with the complicated turbosupercharger system, the sturdy airframe, and tough radial engine, the P-47 ("Jug" or "Juggernaut" as it was nicknamed) could absorb damage and still return home. Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph.

The North American P-51D Mustang was designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. It 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."