Corgi – Page 2 – The Motor Pool

Product Spotlight: In this Island Fortress

Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Bristol Beaufort Mk.1 Torpedo Bomber – N1016 (OA-X), Pilot Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, No.22 Squadron, RAF Cornwall, England, 1941

The Bristol Beaufort (manufacturer designation Type 152) is a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber. At least 1,180 Beauforts were built by Bristol and other British manufacturers.

Beauforts first saw service with Royal Air Force Coastal Command and then the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm from 1940. They were used as torpedo bombers, conventional bombers and mine-layers until 1942, when they were removed from active service and were then used as trainer aircraft until being declared obsolete in 1945. Beauforts also saw considerable action in the Mediterranean; Beaufort squadrons based in Egypt and on Malta helped interdict Axis shipping supplying Rommel’s Afrika Korps in North Africa.

As an Island nation, the protection of Britain’s sea lanes during the Second World War was a crucial battle which had to be won. Throughout the first few months of conflict, the German capital ship Gneisenau and her sister vessel Scharnhorst were posing a serious raiding threat and on receiving news that the ships had entered Brest harbor to undergo repairs in late March 1941, the RAF immediately planned raids intended to destroy, or at least damage the ships. On Sunday April 6th, 1941, Bristol Beaufort Mk.I N1016 (OA-X) took off from RAF St. Eval in Cornwall and headed for a rallying point off the coast of France, close to the entrance to the harbor. Even though the weather was poor, they were surprised to find that they were the only aircraft to make it and with radio silence crucial to the success of the mission, the crew faced the decision whether to press on with their attack alone, or return to base. Although the odds were seriously stacked against them, they turned towards the heavily defended harbor and began their attack run, descending to almost wave top height. Pilot Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, expertly lined up his Beaufort for the optimum attack angle, passing so close to enemy shore batteries that they could hardly fail to hit their target, but only releasing the single torpedo when he was sure it would strike the warship.

Almost hitting the mast of the ship as the aircraft pulled away in a violent, banking turn, the Beaufort exposed its under surfaces to the anti-aircraft gunners, who raked it with everything they had. Having sustained heavy damage during its attack run against Gneisenau, Bristol Beaufort N1016 crashed into the harbor almost immediately, tragically claiming the lives of all souls on board. Unbeknown to them, their attack had successful and the torpedo had blown a huge hole under the waterline of Gneisenau, causing it to return to the dry dock from where it had only just emerged, in need of further repairs. It would be out of commission for almost six months following the attack and it is impossible to gauge how many lives were saved and how much vital cargo reached its destination as a result of the heroic actions of this single Beaufort crew. Launching their attack alone, the selfless actions of Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell and his crew would have probably gone unheralded had it not been for the intervention of the French resistance. Sending a report on the condition of the German battleship back to British authorities, they also described the actions of this brave Beaufort crew and how they had paid the ultimate price whilst heroically performing their duty. For displaying valor in the face of extreme peril and without regard for his own safety, Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for valor in the presence of the enemy, an honor he would surely have gladly shared with the rest of his crew.

Corgi’s first Bristol Beaufort is currently en route to us and will be available for immediate dispatch by the middle of April.

Share This:

Corgi Up…On the Way!

Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAC Consolidated Catalina PBY5A Flying Boat – 14-P-5, Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14), Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, December 7th, 1941 [80th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack]

Now that Hornby has completed its annual inventory, we’ve learned that a sizeable gaggle of diecast warbirds are headed our way. Several are key introductions, such as their first ever Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber and a heavily requested Consolidated PBY Catalina in USAAC markings. We’ve moved the models that are packed up and winging their way to us to our Product en Route section, so make sure you eye them over and select which models you want to pre-order before they arrive towards the end of next week. Some may not get put up for general sale so be forewarned!

Share This:

Corgi Changes Up its Release Strategy with Mixed Results

Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Short Stirling Mk. III Heavy Bomber – “The Gremlin Teaser”, No.199 Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England, 1943

In an effort to become more nimble in the face of stiffening competition, Corgi unveiled the first of three 2022 product roll outs on its parent web site, Hornby UK. In the past, the Company had shown off their entire annual catalog with one throw of the dice in January, roughly timed to coincide with the London Toy Fair, which oftentimes meant collectors would have to wait an entire year or more to actually lay claim to their prized possession. The new strategy means Corgi can now adjust their release schedule with relative ease, moving some items up and others back in the production pipeline should logistical issues, collector taste and other factors change over the course of a typical year.

Unfortunately, this strategy may have back fired some what as collectors, particularly those in the aviation ranks, were expecting a heavier dose of new introductions for the January-April time frame. Instead of twenty or more new aircraft they were accustomed to seeing, only three new warbirds were shown, none of which were new toolings many a collector had been longing for. As you might expect, this left “many a collector” in the proverbial lurch, feeling as if their requests continue to fall on deaf ears. On the other hand, motorcycle buffs will be happy to learn that Corgi is branching out into bikes with a 1:12 2020 Triumph Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition as seen in the feature film, “No Time to Die.”

Armor aficionados were greeted with a pair of new 1:50 scale tanks: another Tiger I heavy tank based upon a previous late 2021 release and its feared nemesis, a Churchill tank. Together with a robust price hike, we can only conclude that Corgi and its parent company, Hornby, are content to retrench for the beginning part of the year in an effort to deal with rising material costs, logjams in the supply chain, and the outlays associated with the recent acquisition of Oxford Diecast. Moreover, it would appear as if they are content to hold their key projects for later on when they can put their best foot forward with new toolings, important ranges, and other licensed properties that can better justify their new marketing strategy.

Share This:

Corgi Slides into Bed With World of Tanks

Corgi’s “Fit-to-box” German Sd. Kfz. 182 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank with Henschel Turret [WOT]

Earlier this year, we learned that Corgi decided to launch a new “fit-to-box” military vehicle range that leveraged the highly popular World of Tanks name as a means of gaining product awareness and, hopefully, spurring impulse sales during the holiday season. For those of you unfamiliar with World of Tanks, its a free massively multiplayer online game that has been around for a number of years and gained quite a hefty international following thanks, in large part, to huge multi-tank engagements in which players gain fame and notoriety by knocking out their opposition in a sort of last man standing battle then leveling up afterwards with the aid of rewards and other perks.

Up until now, however, it wasn’t clear what each of the seven vehicles would look like or when they would be released. With Christmas fast approaching and most of their other ranges already in the sales pipeline, Corgi has finally unveiled the lineup, along with its packaging, and provided details concerning their impending release. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll get all or some of them in for the holidays thereby making them excellent stocking stuffers, and will, of course, update our release schedule as further word is passed along.

Note: Corgi has announced another addition to the World of Tanks range: an M3 Stuart light tank. While images for this late lineup addition were posted, we’re of the opinion that it will get released some time after the first batch of vehicles hit the streets this Winter.

Share This:

Corgi Passes out the “Swiss Miss”

Corgi’s 1:72 scale Swiss Junkers Ju 52/3m Tri-Motor Transport – Tarnmuster A-702

In a surprise announcement, Corgi unveiled and released two new 1:72 scale Junkers Ju 52 transports, both bearing Swiss markings and insignia. One comes in the standard Corgi packaging while the other is nested in a European style box likely created for a special client.

Corgi’s 1:72 scale Swiss Junkers Ju 52/3m Tri-Motor Transport – IWC HB-HOS

In other news, several eagerly awaited aircraft models were also released, all of which are now winging their way to us. All of the October releases are expected to safely land at our aerodrome by the end of this month.

Share This:

Product Spotlight: A Richtofen in Name Only

Corgi’s 1:48 scale German Fokker Dr.1 Triplane Fighter – Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, Jasta 11, Cappy Aerodrome, France, April 21st, 1918

As he prepared for his first combat patrol, novice fighter pilot Wolfram von Richthofen was keen to impress his famous cousin, the famed ‘Red Baron’ and the flight leader for the mission. Although suffering from fatigue and combat stress, Manfred von Richthofen was the consummate professional and the safety of his fellow airmen was of paramount importance to him.

As the Fokker DR.1 fighters of Jasta 11 climbed away from Cappy aerodrome on April 21st, 1918, Wolfram had been given strict instructions to stay out of trouble should the formation encounter the enemy, staying on the periphery of the action and experiencing what the melee of a dogfight looked like.

As his comrades later engaged in combat with the Sopwith Camels of RAF No.209 Squadron, Wolfram did as instructed, but found himself under attack by one of the Camels, which had also been loitering on the edge of the fighting, an aircraft which was flown by the similarly inexperienced Wilfred ‘Wop’ May.

Taking immediate evasive action, the Camel sped past his triplane, with the incident attracting the attention of his famous cousin – Manfred von Richthofen pursued the Camel which seemed destined to become his 81st victim. Wolfram von Richthofen would survive the encounter to become a fighter ace in his own right, however, this meeting of two novice pilots over the trenches of the Western Front would ultimately claim the life of the world’s most famous airman.

Having just led an attack against two British RE8 reconnaissance aircraft above the Somme battlefield, Manfred von Richthofen re-joined the rest of Jasta 11’s Fokker triplane fighters, in time to lead a further attack against a formation of Sopwith Camels from No.209 Squadron RAF. Displaying all his legendary flying skills, the Red Baron attacked the enemy aircraft, whilst at the same time keeping an eye on his cousin Wolfram, a novice pilot who had been instructed not to engage in combat.

On seeing that one of the Camels had attacked Wolfram’s triplane, he broke away from the dogfight and went to his aid, quickly positioning himself on the tail of the Sopwith fighter. Clearly flown by an inexperienced pilot, the Camel was the mount of young Canadian airman Wilfred ‘Wop’ May, who realizing his error, dived at high speed for the ground and the safety of Allied lines.

Flying perilously close to the ground and narrowly missing the church steeple at Vaux-sur-Somme, May knew that if he pulled up, he would fall to the guns of the ace pilot behind him, but as the high ground of Morlancourt Ridge approached, he had no option.

Miraculously, his aircraft was not peppered with bullets and the Triplane giving chase was seen to rear up and make a forced landing in a nearby field – although he didn’t know it at the time, May was being hunted by Manfred von Richthofen and whilst he had managed to escape with his life, the famous Red Baron had not been so fortunate and lay dead in the cockpit of his red Fokker Triplane.

Corgi’s replica of this famous triplane is now in stock and ready for immediate shipment.

Share This:

The Return of Corgi’s Showcase Series

Corgi’s “Fit-to-Box” Top Gun Maverick 2020 – Maverick’s F/A-18 Hornet and P-51D Mustang

When we first started out twenty years ago, Corgi offered a line of affordable “fit-to-box” replicas which, for all intents and purposes, were aimed at first-time collectors, young adults and history buffs with a passing interest in diecast collectibles. While they weren’t built to any set scale, hence the “fit-to-box” moniker, they were, nevertheless, quite successful at retail and went a long way towards bringing new blood into the hobby that might not otherwise give it a second thought.

Earlier this week, we decided to bring back the series thanks, in part, to the upcoming feature film Top Gun Maverick of which two sets are based. Priced at just $19.99 per set and due out this autumn, each of these two-ship packs are ideal stocking stuffers that both rekindle a passion for the hobby as well as helping to renew interest in historic aviation. Five sets are being offered and the pre-order window for each is now open.

Share This:

Corgi Joins Forces with World of Tanks

This week, it would appear as if all we have on our mind is Corgi. Apart from a solitary post regarding new Hobby Master products for the month of June and another covering the return of Skymax Models, it seems as though Corgi has stolen the limelight with us and perhaps with good reason.

Earlier today we learned that Corgi has joined forces with the massively multiplayer online game, World of Tanks, and intends to produce a range of diminutive tanks that you might find in the game. There is no set scale for these vehicles as is the case with their larger brethren found in the Military Legends series. Rather, they are all designed to fit a common one-size-fits-all packaging, much like their Showcase range. In fact, there’s a good chance that this may be a re-branding move on the part of Corgi, intended to leverage the popularity of the game to help propel sales and give the makers of the game and avenue into the diecast market.

This new re-branded range is not to be confused with another World of Tanks range in which all of the vehicles are produced in 1:72 scale and where several are paired to form an adversarial pack such as a T-34 versus a Panther. We are still working to procure this range under a separate working relationship and will share the news once we have something more concrete to go on.

Incidentally, the inclusion of a US-built M48A3 tank, the only post WWII-era vehicle in the series, would suggest that Corgi is preparing to bring back their Vietnam War series as they did with their WWII line. If true, this is certainly welcome news for many collectors, still eager to collect a range that sold out several years ago.

Share This:

Sabot Up! Corgi On the Way!

Corgi’s 1:50 scale German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D Medium Tank – Panzer Abteilung 2, Panzer Brigade 107, Bamberg, Northern Bavaria, April 1945

At last we’re seeing some movement on the Corgi front. Their long awaited 1:50 scale Panther medium tank (#CC60215) is now on its way to us along with their 1:72 scale Ju-87 Stuka dive-bomber (#AA32518), both of which we originally expected towards the end of 2019. The remaining items in their 2019 range for both their Military Legends and Aviation Archives series are tentatively expected towards the end of January, again barring any unforeseen issues. We expect to take delivery of the Panther and Stuka on or around the 21st, so please do not contact us ahead of that date asking about your order or when you can expect to receive it.

Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Junkers Ju-87B-2 Stuka Dive-Bomber – J9+BL, 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, St. Pol, France, November 1940

We will process all of our outstanding orders for both items the moment they arrive and provide everyone with tracking information once the orders are ready to be handed off to our carrier. In the meantime, we thank you for your patience and hope you can wait just a little while longer for these goodies to arrive.

Share This:

Corgi Bares its Soul in Hong Kong

Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31322 “Mi Amigo”, 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, England, February 22nd, 1944

As we hinted at last week, Corgi revealed it’s latest line up of military aircraft and vehicles at the 2020 Hong Kong Toy Fair. Frankly, there weren’t any huge surprises in the mix, the only new tooling being a 1:48 scale Bristol F2B fighter of WWI renown. Anyway, we’ve listed all of their newest aircraft and military vehicles in their respective sections and are now accepting pre-orders. Most are expected towards the latter half of the year. Here’s the list of what’s on the horizon from the folks at Corgi:

On the ground…

#CC51606 – Captured Soviet T-34/76 Model 1943 Medium Tank – “222”, Panzerjager Abteilung 128, 23.Panzer Division, Ukraine, 1943 (1:50 Scale)

#CC51032 – Captured US M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank – l./Panzer Regiment 5, Tunisia, Early 1943 (1:50 Scale)

#CC60216 – Captured German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D Medium Tank – 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards “Cuckoo”, Netherlands, 1944/5 (1:50 Scale)

#CC60514 – German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “300”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 505, Eastern Front, Summer 1944 (1:50 Scale)

…And in the air

#AA36212 – RAF Gloster Gladiator Mk. II Fighter – N2308 HP-B, RAF No.247 Squadron, 1940 (1:72 Scale)

#AA37810 – German Albatros D.V Fighter – 2111/17 ‘M’, Martin Mallmann, Jasta 19 “Les Tangos”, Western Front, January 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA37909 – French SPAD XIII Fighter – ‘White 3’, Pierre Marinovitch, Escadrille Spa 94 “The Reapers”, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38110 – Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camel F.1 Fighter – Wilfred May, No.209 Squadron, Bertangles, France, April 21st, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38310 – German Fokker Dr.1 Triplane Fighter – Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, Jasta 11, April 21st, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38907 – German Fokker D VII Fighter – Rudolf Berthold, Jasta 15/JG II, Chery-les-Pouilly Aerodrome, France, 1918 (1:48 Scale)