{"title":"Scale \u003e 1:72","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"corgi-172-martin-b-26c-45-mo-marauder-42-107752-b-n-88-miss-arkansas-444th-bs-320th-bg-usaaf-sardiniaaugust-1944-diecast-model","title":"Corgi - 1:72 Martin B-26C-45-MO Marauder, 42-107752 B\/N 88 'Miss Arkansas , 444th BS \/ 320th BG USAAF, Sardinia,\nAugust 1944 - Limited Edition Diecast Model","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis attractive Marin B-26C-45-MO Marauder was a stand-out aircraft of the Second World War, with a unique nose art that deserves centre of attention in your die-cast display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing a special bare metal multi-toned finish, this 1:72 scale model has an open bomb bay option and removable undercarriage. The propellers can rotate too. And of course, this die-cast aircraft comes with detailed crew figures and a stand for display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis die-cast model has a \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elimited-edition run of only 1,500 units\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor an aircraft which initially attracted such unwanted nicknames as ‘Widow Maker’ and the ‘Flying Coffin’, and had training crews referring to it as, ‘One a day in Tampa Bay’ because of the high number of aircraft lost to crashes, the Martin B-26 Marauder actually posted the lowest loss rate of all USAAF bombers during the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA high-performance aircraft incorporating advanced technologies, the Marauder was a delight to fly but had some vices which could cause problems for the unwary and inexperienced. However, some design modifications and a revised training program soon improved the aircraft’s fortunes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter some time in Florida, the 444th Bomb Squadron were sent to England before completing their training program. They stayed for just over a month before being sent onwards with the rest of the 320th Bomb Group to North Africa and operations across the Mediterranean Theatre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for pressing home an attack against Axis troop concentrations at Fondi, in support of the 5th Army’s push towards Rome, despite coming under heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular aircraft was one of the most flamboyantly decorated of all the 444th BS Marauders, with striking sharks’ teeth to put fear in the hearts of enemy fighter pilots, and beach belle artwork on both sides of the aircraft’s nose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength: 27cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 9.5cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWingspan: 30cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed crew figures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRotatable propellers\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":59364625908046,"sku":"AA29502","price":116.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1022\/3773\/3198\/files\/aa29502_3.webpfit1.jpeg?v=1777892126"},{"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\/scale-1-72.oembed","provider":"Diecast Model Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}