Corgi P-47D Thunderbolt 353rd FS/354th FG ‘Nose Art Collection - Limited Edition For Sale

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US33811 - ‘ Nose Art Collection’

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Diecast Model

USAAF 345th FG (Fighter Group)

353rd FS (Fighter Squadron)

Major Glenn Eagleston, - With Nose Art Panel

Limited Edition of 2700 Pieces Worldwide

This is Number 1547

1:72 Scale Length Width

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 6" 6.75"

The P-51 pilots of the 353rd needed a lift while they flew P-47's and this distinctive nose art no doubt helped restore some of the morale to the pilots. Once P-51D Mustangs were restored to the unit in 1945, Eagleston began adding to his kill score again.

During WW2, young airmen separated from home, family, loved ones and a familiar way of life often sought ways of escaping the harsh reality of war by personalising their aircraft with what has become known as nose art. Humour, slogans, nicknames, cartoons, girls; all were used to bring a touch of light relief to their deadly day-to-day existence.

The Corgi Nose Art range aims to capture some of the superb works of art that adorned aircraft on all sides of the conflict. Each model includes a diecast body panel featuring the art in colourful, large-scale detail.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

Designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter, the P-47 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, a deadly pursuit aircraft, 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.

Corgi's 1:72 scale P-47 series includes both the "razorback" and "bubble-top" canopy styles, with separate castings for each fuselage. The models in this series are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used. Details of the radial engine and air intake are visible inside the oval engine cowling. The turbo-supercharger exhaust vent and separately applied intercooler exit doors are nicely detailed at the rear of the fuselage. Each release in the series includes different weapons ordnance or external fuel tanks. The four staggered machine gun barrels that protrude from each of the wings' leading edges are constructed of rigid plastic, and there are shell casing vents below each wing.

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.