{"title":"Military Aircraft \u003e Combat Aircraft","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"corgi-148-english-electric-lightning-f6-xr770-raf-binbrook-5-sqn-diecast-model","title":"Corgi - 1:48 English Electric Lightning F6 XR770 RAF Binbrook 5 Sqn - Limited Edition Diecast Model","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most exciting RAF aeroplanes in aviation history, the English Electric Lightning F.6 makes a wonderful 1:48 scale die-cast model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis modern masterpiece is replicated in high detail, with removable engine and intake covers and even a crew ladder. The undercarriage is also removable and the box includes a stand so you can proudly display your model at the centre of your aviation collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis die-cast model has a limited-edition run of only 1,200 units.\u003c\/strong\u003e​​​​​​​\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccupying a prominent position in the history of Britain’s aviation industry, for young men hoping to join the Royal Air Force during the 1960s and 70s, the English Electric Lightning must have offered the most exhilarating experience anyone could hope to have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn joining a Lightning unit, students would usually be given a ‘taster flight’ with their instructor, something which would whet their aviation appetite still further, showing them what was available to them if they knuckled down and did the work. This would be followed by weeks of Ground School and time on the Lightning simulator, where they were brought up to speed on what was required if they were to become Lightning pilots – you had to think fast when travelling at these speeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce posted to an operational squadron, they knew they were considered an elite pilot, flying an aircraft most people could only dream of spending time in, and for them, no other aircraft would ever come close to matching the sheer adrenalin rush of the Lightning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLightning XR726 was constructed as an F.6 variant during late 1964, making her first flight in June the following year. Spending much of her RAF career with No.5 Squadron, she wore the majority of the different camouflage finish variations worn by Lightnings during their service lives, including this particularly striking one in natural metal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength: 35cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 13cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWingspan: 22cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed crew figures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFuel tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGear can be displayed up or down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n","brand":"Diecast Model Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59364626170190,"sku":"AA28404","price":170.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1022\/3773\/3198\/files\/aa28404_1.jpg?v=1775588546"},{"product_id":"corgi-148-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ixc-porky-ii-31st-usaad-lt-robert-connor-limited-edition-diecast-model","title":"Corgi - 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc 'Porky II' - 31st USAAD - Lt.Robert Connor - Limited Edition Diecast Model","description":"\u003cp\u003eEveryone loves a Supermarine Spitfire and there have been plenty in the CORGI range over the years, but this Mk.IXc version features the first USAAF livery on this tooling. This striking design is a historic one, carried today by ‘The Suffolk Spitfire’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe highly detailed design comes with removable undercarriage and rotating propeller, as well as a stand for display purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis die-cast model has a limited edition run of only 1,100 units\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the 309th Fighter Squadron of the USAAF 12th Air Force moved to support Allied operations in North Africa, and subsequently on to Sicily and Italy, they took their Spitfire Mk.V fighters with them. However, they received upgraded Mk.IX variants of the Spitfire from April 1943 onwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese more powerful aircraft was used to provide fighter cover for Allied bombers across the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations, and even to protect earlier variants of the Spitfire which were still operational.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautifully presented Spitfire was the mount of Lt Robert Connor, who playfully embraced the less-than-flattering nickname squadron mates gave him, by having distinctive artwork painted on the starboard side of his Spitfire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt featured the cartoon character Porky Pig and his Loony Tunes catchphrase ‘That’s All Folks’ in what resembled a slice of white bread. The aircraft carried the name ‘Porky II’ as the pilot was thought to have named an earlier Spitfire Mk.V ‘Porky’, and he had to distinguish between the two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 309th exchanged their Spitfire Mk.IX fighters for North American P-51B Mustangs in March 1944, but not before writing a particularly interesting chapter in the annals of USAAF chronicles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn aircraft wearing these markings is currently one of the star attractions on the UK airshow circuit, operating as ‘The Suffolk Spitfire’. Resplendent in its unusual USAAF markings, it is one of the most distinctive restored Spitfires flying today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Diecast Model Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59364693934414,"sku":"AA29104","price":57.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1022\/3773\/3198\/files\/aa29104_2.jpg?v=1775589016"}],"url":"https:\/\/diecastmodelshop.com\/collections\/military-aircraft-combat-aircraft.oembed","provider":"Diecast Model Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}