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Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA36308
Fairey Swordfish Mk I Diecast Model
RNFAA No.825 NAS,
Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde - VC February 1942
Limited Edition of 1500 Pieces Worldwide
Unfortunately certificate is missing
1:72 Scale Length Width
Fairey Swordfish Mk I 6" 7.75"
In excellent condition having been displayed only- Torpedo missing - fired I guess!
On February 12, 1942, six Swordfish from 825 Sqn departed Manston at 12:30 hrs on operation "Fuller" led by Lt. Cdr. Eugene Esmonde DSO. Their targets were the German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, which had departed Brest en-route to the English Channel to destroy allied convoys in the Atlantic. Against all odds, they managed to complete their attack, but without major damage to their target. All six aircraft were destroyed and of the 18 air crew, only 5 survived the operation. Lt. Cdr. Esmonde was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Four DSO's and one Conspicuous Gallantry Medal were awarded to survivors of the first flight.
Fairey Swordfish Mk I
This spotter-reconnaissance aircraft, built by the Fairey Aviation Company for the British Royal Navy, was first flown on February 22nd, 1934. Nicknamed "Stringbag" after a housewife's string shopping bag, the Swordfish could carry an unlikely combination of loads. It could lift off a carrier deck with a standard torpedo, although this made it vulnerable to fighter attack. Its low speed and stable stance made it easy to line up for a torpedo attack, as it did against the German Bismark and on the Italian naval base at Taranto, where 21 Swordfish destroyed three battleships, a cruiser, two destroyers and other warships.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Swordfish series demonstrates this aircraft's versatility. Each release highlights its roles as a spotter-reconnaissance aircraft and a torpedo-bomber. One of the most impressive features of this model is its replicated folding wings, a feature uncommon in 1:72 scale. The wings are both pinned and keyed to insure proper alignment when fully deployed. Fine gauge wire is used to recreate the structurally significant bracing wires found between the wings and on the horizontal stabilizer. The open cockpit allows for easy viewing of the three-man crew, correctly poised for action with pivoting machine gun at the rear.
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.
