Corgi

Corgi Flies High this Summer

Earlier today, Corgi revealed their May-August Aviation Archive lineup of new aircraft models. Leaning heavily on the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain along with the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe, four of the six new introductions are tied to the pivotal days of the war over England, while the remaining two offerings represent a pair of “heavies” that pay tribute to both the US and UK bombing campaign over Nazi-occupied Europe. We’ve added all six new aircraft to our Corgi Aviation Archive section and are now accepting pre-orders for the entire batch.

In a related story, Corgi also provided a development update on their soon-to-be released Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse destroyer. The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) is a heavy fighter and Schnellbomber (“Fast Bomber” in English) designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt. It was flown by the Luftwaffe during the latter half of the Second World War. Work began on producing a successor to the Bf 110 in 1937, however, the resulting Me 210 proved to be unsatisfactory, leading to production being halted in April 1942. Various options were considered, including the ambitious Me 310 derivative. Officials favored an incremental improvement which was represented by the Me 410. Although visually similar to the preceding Me 210, and was sharing sufficient design similarities that incomplete Me 210s could be converted into Me 410s, there were key differences between the two aircraft. Chiefly, the Me 410 was powered by larger Daimler-Benz DB 603 engines, had a lengthened fuselage, and automatic leading edge slats. The Me 410 is widely regarded as the best heavy fighter produced for the Luftwaffe.

While no pricing information was discussed nor a particular subject indicated, we anticipate taking delivery on their latest addition to the Aviation Archive before the year is out, unless tariffs prevent it from being sold on an economical basis.

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You Can’t Say They Don’t Love Their Spitfires

In a surprise announcement, Corgi today announced plans to roll out not one but three new 1:72 scale Supermarine Spitfires this summer. All three models are based upon aircraft currently on display at hangars across the UK, making them unique in their own right. So, while a Spitfire model always does well at retail, the fact that all three can be seen in the flesh means they’ll help to ignite a renewed passion for these iconic aircraft. The Supermarine Spitfire T.9 is a two-seat fighter aircraft that was developed after World War II. All T.9s started as single-seat fighters, usually the Mk. VIII or Mk. IX. The pre-order window is now open and detailed information concerning each model can be found at the bottom of each listing.

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Corgi Shows Off its Early 2025 Launches

Looking to kick things off for 2025, Corgi showed off a wide range of upcoming products that are due out in the first half of 2025. Rather than attempting to steal the spotlight and keep everyone at bay for hours on end, we thought you might like to watch their user-created video which covers everything in the hopper from this prolific manufacturer. Enjoy!

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Product Spotlight: Green with Envy

The Martin B-26 Marauder is an American twin-engined medium bomber that saw extensive service during World War II. The B-26 was built at two locations: Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska, by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater of World War II in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe.

After entering service with the United States Army aviation units, the aircraft quickly received the reputation of a “widow maker” due to the early models’ high accident rate during takeoffs and landings. This was because the Marauder had to be flown at precise air speeds, particularly on final runway approach or when one engine was out. The unusually high 150 mph (241 km/h) speed on short final runway approach was intimidating to many pilots who were used to much slower approach speeds, and when they slowed to speeds below those stipulated in the manual, the aircraft would often stall and crash.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder 41-31576/AN-Z ‘Dinah Might’, was given the important task of leading an anti-beach fortification raid against Widerstandsnest 5 (which means ‘nest of resistance’, or ‘strong point’) overlooking Utah beach. The raid happened only a couple of minutes before the landing craft released their troops on their assigned beaches on D-Day itself, one of the final missions to take place before the landings.

Flown by Major David Dewhurst, the experienced Commander of the 553rd Bomb Squadron, US 8th Air Force, this was one final opportunity to neutralize German defensive fortifications, therefore giving Allied troops a better chance of making it off their assigned landing beach in the terrifying hours to come.

Dewhurst’s aircraft, which was named ‘Dinah Might’ after a Bing Crosby tune of the day, released its bombs at exactly 06.24.30 on D-Day, with navigation and timing critical to the success of the mission and the safety of the men waiting to make their historic seaborne assault.

The details behind this final bombing raid of D-Day clearly illustrate why the Utah Beach D-Day Museum elected to finish their preserved Marauder in this historic scheme and why it forms such a poignant center piece for their impressive museum.

‘Dinah Might’s’ target on that fateful morning in June 1944 was only meters from where this magnificent preserved aircraft is displayed today, even though it’s actually only a representation of that famous wartime aircraft.

“Dinah Might” is currently en route to us and should be ready for immediate shipment by the middle of September.

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Corgi Draws Back the Curtains on Their Remaining Aircraft

As promised, Corgi unveiled the balance of their 2024 Aviation Archives aircraft over the Labor Day weekend. While no new toolings were debuted nor was anything hinted at for the coming year, several existing models received important updates, which helps to round out their yearly roster and clear the way for their eventual 2025 line up.

Two models were included in the roll out that we haven’t as yet included on our web site largely because we aren’t sure about their relative worth to the average aircraft collector. These include a rather eclectic Heinkel He-111 medium bomber that was designed for the rock band Motorhead, and features their logo emblazoned on the underside of the model as well as adorning its nose art. Similarly, there’s a Spitfire dubbed “Aces High” that was created for the group Iron Maiden. Interestingly, the Spitfire could easily fit into anyone’s aircraft collection since it features a more traditional scheme than say “Motorhead” with its more risque exterior graphics. For those of you unfamiliar with the group, “Aces High” is Iron Maiden’s eleventh single release and one of their most famous tracks. So, for now we’ll take a pass on both new models to see if diehards are willing to integrate either or both of these models within their Aviation Archive collection.

“Motorhead”
“Aces High”

We invite you to watch the September-December 2024 video Corgi uploaded to YouTube that more ably discusses what you can expect to see for the final three months of 2024.

Note: Hornby, the parent company of Corgi, has indicated that as of September 1st, they are increasing prices across-the-board for all of their products in an effort to offset recent increases in costs associated with the production and transport of their models. For now, we have not changed our prices for the entire line although as soon as Corgi passes along their September-December product line up we will be revising prices for both older and newer releases. So, if you’re interested in pre-ordering anything posted to our web site, we suggest doing so now before the changes are put into effect.

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TSR-2 = Too Strong at Retail Twice!

Apparently, collectors don’t mind adding a few notional or “what-if” aircraft to their aviation collection. We’ve known for several months now that Hobby Master’s recently released take on a Ukrainian F-16 was selling extremely well at retail even if they are just now entering the real world fray. Now, Corgi’s newest TSR-2 strike aircraft is following suit, selling out over this past weekend at a price point well in excess of their original cost.

No doubt part of the huge surge in demand has to do with the fact that Corgi’s TSR-2 has been unavailable for several years running so any new introduction, even a fictitious one, was bound to do well. But I think the real reason for the popularity of these models is the fact that collectors don’t mind dabbling in conjecture every once in awhile, more than willing to nab a new model that may never come to fruition in the real world so long as there’s some sort of emotional or intellectual connection with current or past events. No matter the reason, its encouraging to see such strong demand for notional models, which may end up ushering in other models that may have never seen the light of day.

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Corgi Sets Off for the Realm of the Unknown

Earlier today at the Royal International Air Tattoo held in England, Corgi announced plans to both bring back an old favorite and, by doing so, enter an all-new regime that may not be familiar to them or their collectors. Long sold out for several years, the TSR-2 is a cancelled Cold War strike and reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The TSR-2 was designed around both conventional and nuclear weapons delivery: it was to penetrate well-defended front line areas at low altitudes and very high speeds, and then attack high-value targets in rear areas. Another intended combat role was to provide high-altitude, high-speed stand-off, side-looking radar and photographic imagery and signals intelligence aerial reconnaissance. Only one air frame flew and test flights and weight-rise during design indicated that the aircraft would be unable to meet its original stringent design specifications. The design specifications were reduced as the result of flight testing.

The original test aircraft was painted in an all-while scheme indicative of its undergoing evaluation testing and was neither deployed nor given the go-ahead to enter mass production. Interestingly, this new Corgi release is painted in an operational scheme, meaning Corgi is making a departure of sorts by offering up its first “notional” or “what-if” model had the TSR-2 been given the green light and actually produced for front line service with the RAF.

Judging by the pictures provided, the model and accompanying artwork seem to be fairly far along so we are assuming it will be available for purchase and delivery during the second half of 2024. As a guess, other versions will likely get made should this particular model do well at retail. Moreover, Corgi will be looking at sales figures quite closely and perhaps offer “notional” schemes for other aircraft and military vehicles further down-the-road, much like Hobby Master’s recently released look at a Ukrainian F-16 Viper or Egyptian Su-35. Frankly, we think its an excellent way to bring back an old favorite that may be languishing on the back burner for whatever reason and generate new interest in subjects that may have run their course given the lack of new historical information available to them. For instance, could a colorful Manfred von Richthofen Fokker D. VII or D. VIII be in the cards? Maybe…

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Corgi Turns Back the Hands of Time to D-Day

Earlier today, Corgi revealed their May through August 2024 new aircraft introductions, the bulk of which have something to do with the D-Day landings of June 1944. We’ve listed most of the latest models discussed in the accompanying video and have opened the pre-order window accordingly. Bear in mind product photos have yet to be provided by the manufacturer so we are guessing that they are still a few months out from hitting the streets. Enjoy!

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Product Spotlight: A Necessary Evil

The Martin B-26 Marauder was one of the most controversial American combat aircraft of the Second World War. It was primarily used in Europe, and was in fact numerically the most important USAAF medium bomber used in that theatre of action. However, on four occasions, investigation boards had met to decide if the development and production of the Marauder should continue. The Marauder survived all attempts to remove it from service, and by 1944, the B-26s of the US 9th Air Force had the lowest loss rate on operational missions of any American aircraft in the European theatre, reaching a point less than one half of one percent.

Despite its high landing speed of 130 mph, which remained essentially unchanged throughout the entire production career of the B-26 in spite of numerous modifications made to reduce it, the Marauder had no really vicious flying characteristics and its single-engine performance was actually fairly good. Although at one time the B-26 was considered so dangerous an aircraft that aircrews tried to avoid getting assigned to Marauder-equipped units and civilian ferry crews actually refused to fly B-26s, it turned out that the Marauder could be safely flown if crews were adequately trained and knew what they were doing. It nevertheless did demand somewhat of a higher standard of training from its crews than did its stablemate, the B-25 Mitchell. However, once mastered, the B-26 offered a level of operational immunity to its crews unmatched by any other aircraft in its class.

A total of 5157 B-26 Marauders were built. Although on paper the B-26 was a more advanced aircraft than its stablemate, the North American B-25 Mitchell, it was built in much fewer numbers because it was more expensive to manufacture and had a higher accident rate.

Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder 41-31576/AN-Z ‘Dinah Might’, was given the important task of leading an anti-beach fortification raid against Widerstandsnest 5 (which means ‘nest of resistance’, or ‘strongpoint’) overlooking Utah beach. The raid happened only a couple of minutes before the landing craft released their troops on their assigned beaches on D-Day itself, one of the final missions to take place before the landings.

Flown by Major David Dewhurst, the experienced Commander of the 553rd Bomb Squadron, US 8th Air Force, this was one final opportunity to neutralize German defensive fortifications, therefore giving Allied troops a better chance of making it off their assigned landing beach in the terrifying hours to come.

Dewhurst’s aircraft, which was named ‘Dinah Might’ after a Bing Crosby tune of the day, released its bombs at exactly 06.24.30 on D-Day, with navigation and timing critical to the success of the mission and the safety of the men waiting to make their historic seaborne assault.

The details behind this final bombing raid of D-Day clearly illustrate why the Utah Beach D-Day Museum elected to finish their preserved Marauder in this historic scheme and why it forms such a poignant center piece for their impressive museum.

‘Dinah Might’s’ target on that fateful morning in June 1944 was only meters from where this magnificent preserved aircraft is displayed today, even though it’s actually only a representation of that famous wartime aircraft.

“Dinah Might” pays homage to the men and machines that fought to seize a foothold on the European mainland that fateful June, and is expected to take wing later this spring.

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Corgi Lays Out Their Plans for the Spring

As is customary with Corgi, the Company discussed plans for the next few months with a slick video that was uploaded to YouTube. According to the Corgi brand manager, several new aircraft are in the wings, including a Junkers Ju-88C bomber. Towards the end of the presentation, the spokesperson indicated that a Messerschmitt Me 410 heavy fighter is currently in production. While no word was mentioned regarding its price and release date, the Me 410 is certainly one of those subjects that have been routinely requested by their clientele and, to the best of our knowledge, no other modelmaker has plans to produce for the foreseeable future.

In a related development, Paramount acknowledged that they are discussing the third installment in their highly-acclaimed Top Gun movie franchise. Considering the success of Corgi’s Showcase series of Top-Gun-themed merchandise, its a good bet that the modelmaker will once again look to court Paramount with licensing so that they can continue to produce an assortment of Top Gun-related merchandise.

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