Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA32209

North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model

USAF 18th Bomber Group- 12th Fighter Bomber Squadron

Lieutenant James Glessner, Korea, November 1950, (F-51D)

Limited Edition of 3400 Pieces Worldwide

This is number 2139

1:72 Scale Length Width

North American P-51D Mustang 5.25" 6.25"

This model is in near Mint condition and has been displayed only

Please check out the photos

After WWII it appeared that the North American P-51D's days in front line use were limited because of the advent of the jet age. The conflict in Korea brought the aircraft out of reserve and back into action, but as the F-51D. When the P for pursuit prefix was dropped in favor of the F for fighter prefix, hundreds of Mustangs were so renamed. However, it was as a fighter-bomber that the F-51 was to make a name for itself. It wasn't the skies over Europe, but the ground of the Korean peninsula that saw the most activity for the F-51. Too small to house the kind of airfields needed by jets, the Mustang was able to take off, drop its ordnance on an enemy only a few miles away and return for more. Often times Mustangs were flying four of five or more sorties a day.

North American P-51D Mustang

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."

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.

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.