Corgi Aviaion Archive

Product Spotlight: Aloft Anew – The Final Days of the Luftwaffe

**Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Me 262A-1A Fighter – Leutnant Walter Hagenah, “Yellow 17”, Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet”, Germany, 1945**

One of the most advanced WWII combat aircraft, the Me 262 operated as a light bomber, reconnaissance, and experimental night fighter. The Me 262 proved an effective dogfighter against Allied fighters; German pilots claimed 542 Allied aircraft shot down, although higher claims have sometimes been made. The aircraft had reliability problems because of strategic materials shortages and design compromises with its Junkers Jumo 004 axial-flow turbojet engines. Late-war Allied attacks on fuel supplies also reduced the aircraft’s effectiveness. Armament production within Germany was focused on more easily manufactured aircraft. Ultimately, the Me 262 had little effect on the war because of its late introduction and the small numbers that entered service.

While still in its nascent stage, direct interference from senior military commanders severely restricted the effectiveness of the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet, as they procrastinated about whether it should be used as a fighter, or a bomber. Luftwaffe pilot Franz Gapp perfectly illustrated this problem – a highly decorated bomber pilot, who flew more than 400 missions, mainly in the Ju-88 fighter-bomber, Gapp transferred to an Me 262 attack unit, where it was hoped the speed of the new jet would see significant strategic bombing successes.

One of the most interesting engagements involving a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter during WWII occurred on April 10th, 1945, when pilot Lt Walther Hagenah and his wingman were ordered to intercept a heavy raid of USAAF bombers attacking an area north of Berlin. Knowing they would be massively outnumbered by Allied aircraft, the pair intended to attack the formation at high speed, using cannon and their underwing mounted R4M unguided rocket projectiles to break up the formation and spread confusion.

With the mighty bomber stream in sight, Hagenah noticed a flight of six American P-51D Mustangs above them, which immediately dropped their external fuel tanks as they dived in to attack. Hagenah’s experience told him that if he turned to face them, or made any violent evasive maneuver, the speed of the Mustangs would soon bring him into their gunsights, so instead, he pushed the throttles to full power and began a gentle dive towards the ground, but crucially, not changing heading.

His wingman decided to take a different course of action, turning to face the Mustangs and immediately being enveloped in a hail of .50 calibre bullets. With his own jet now at full speed, Hagenah expertly positioned his Messerschmitt for an attack on the American fighters, opening up on them with everything he had, including ripple-firing his R4M rockets at the enemy fighter formation. In his memoirs, he later recalled how two of the Mustangs were hit by rockets and immediately fell out of the sky, but having made his defiant gesture, he now needed to find the nearest Luftwaffe airfield, as he was dangerously low on fuel. Unfortunately, the airfield at Larz was under attack by swarms of strafing USAAF fighters, but with his fuel situation now critical, he had no option but to land the jet with American fighters still in the overhead.

Combat record keeping at this stage of the war has proved notoriously difficult to corroborate historically, particularly when it came to those submitted by Luftwaffe pilots and despite the availability of Hagenah’s personal recollection in this case, he would only be credited with a single Mustang victory during this engagement. Corresponding USAAF records did little to help corroborate his claims, even though reports filed from the American bombers they were ordered to attack did confirm the presence of rocket carrying Messerschmitt Me 262 jets on the day in question.

In fact, even the individual aircraft Hagenah used for this sortie cannot be definitively corroborated, however ‘Yellow 17’ was one of the jets on the airfield that day and was also one of the machines equipped with the R4M rocket projectiles. One of the most unusual combat engagements of the Second World War, it is thought that this was the only time a USAAF fighter was brought down during an operational sortie using an unguided rocket projectile fired from a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. If Lt. Hagenah’s account is to be believed, the April 10th,1945, encounter witnessed a truly unique combat engagement in the skies above Berlin.

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Product Spotlight: On Wings of Steel

**Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Lockheed P-38L Lightning Interceptor – Col. Charles McDonald, “Putt Putt Maru”, 432nd Fighter Squadron “Clover”, 475th Fighter Group, Philippines, 1945**

Having seen the introduction of advanced monoplane fighter designs in both the German and Japanese air forces, America was only too aware that their own Air Force was in need of upgrade as a matter of urgency. To this end, an official requirement was issued in February 1937 for the production of a new pursuit fighter, an aircraft which would have to possess performance which had never previously been seen, not only on an American aircraft, but anywhere else in the world. The Lockheed Aircraft Company were one of six companies determined to satisfy this demanding requirement and entrusted the design of this radical new aircraft to talented designer Clarence ‘Kelly’ Johnson, who was basically given a free rein during its development. Almost immediately, he determined that a single engined aircraft could not satisfy these demanding specifications and started work on a twin engined design, one which featured twin booms to house the engines and superchargers, with a centrally positioned nacelle for the cockpit and the fighter’s heavy armament.

The new aircraft looked incredible and was a radical departure from any fighter aircraft design that had gone before it, with Lockheed being awarded a contract to produce a prototype example. The XP38 was a thing of beauty and after just a short 38 minute maiden flight, everyone at Lockheed knew they had a winner on their hands. In fact, officials were so impressed with the aircraft’s performance that they immediately decided to make an attempt on the US Transcontinental speed record to highlight its potential, an attempt which saw the XP38 shatter the existing record by an impressive 23 minutes. Unfortunately, it appears that officials at the destination airport were not expecting the arrival of the strange new fighter and kept it holding so long that it actually ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing on a local golf course. Nevertheless, the aircraft had shown its potential and the US Army Air Force ordered sixty-six aircraft and America had their first 400 mph fighter.

The introduction of the P-38 Lightning was not without its problems, however, this was not surprising bearing in mind its performance and configuration were so radically different to anything which had gone before it. Almost constant development would see the Lightning develop into a devastatingly effective high altitude interceptor and with engines which both drove outwardly rotating propellors, also eventually proved to be an incredibly stable aircraft. Possessing impressive range and firepower, the Lightning would eventually be used to avenge the Pearl Harbor attack, when sixteen P-38s of the 339th Fighter Squadron intercepted a bomber carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the mastermind of that infamous raid, and shot it down. The P-38 Lightning would go on to serve with distinction in both the Pacific and European theatres, one of the most capable and distinctive aircraft of the Second World War.

For US fighter pilot Charles Henry ‘Mac’ MacDonald, the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 left him with a determination to do his duty in ensuring this disastrous day for America would only result in their eventual victory. Joining the USAAF and gaining his wings in May 1939, he would first be assigned to the 55th Pursuit Group and then on to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii in early 1941 and was still there at the time of the Japanese surprize attack, arguably the darkest day in American military history. His continued service would see him gaining ever more responsibility and new postings, first back home in the US to train new pilots, then on to the savage fighting of the Pacific War. By October 1943, he had attained the rank of Major and was posted as the Executive Officer of the 475th Fighter Group’s ‘Satan’s Angels’, flying P-38 Lightnings out of Dobodura, New Guinea, where his reputation as a fighter ace and effective leader of men would soon be forged. Often asking his men to fly dangerous long range missions in their Lightnings over vast expanses of ocean, MacDonald, would often be the first aircraft into the air, leading from the from and inspiring his pilots to make their mark on the war.

Eventually attaining the rank of Colonel, MacDonald became the Commanding Officer of the 475th Fighter Group and during this time, would welcome the arrival of a rather famous civilian advisor to the unit, long range aviator and US national hero Charles Lindbergh, who was cleared to fly with the unit. During his time in the Pacific, Lindbergh would help the 475th unlock the awesome potential of the P-38, using his knowledge of long range engine management to alter the power and fuel settings of their aircraft, modifications which extended the range of the Lightning by an incredible 100%. Now, ‘Colonel Mac’ and the pilots of the 475th could provide fighter cover for bombers attacking the Japanese oil refineries at Balikpapan in Borneo, with flight times of between twelve and fourteen hours needing to be flown. This raid was pivotal in turning the tide of the Pacific War and preparing American forces for the final push towards the Japanese home islands.

Colonel ‘Mac’ Macdonald would end the war with 27 aerial victories, with several others either damaged or probably destroyed, making him the third most successful fighter ace in the Pacific Theatre. All victories were scored using the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and whilst he would use several different machines, they were all named ‘PUTT… PUTT… MARU’. It is not known for sure what this name refers to, but it is thought that it could be a reference to the Japanese supply barges the unit were often sent to destroy, vessels which were referred to as Marus, with their rather agricultural engines making a putt putt chugging sound. Whatever the case, if they were in the sights of a 475th Fighter Group P-38 Lightning, they were on borrowed time.

Putt Putt Maru is expected to land later in September.

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Corgi Dons its Flying Goggles for the Holidays

As expected, Corgi unveiled its final set of aircraft introductions for 2023. The range cuts across a number of fronts in World War II, from early war night fighters to late war jet fighter-bombers. The manufacturer even put together this accompanying video, which does a terrific job of explaining each model in greater detail. We invite you to take a look and place your pre-orders as soon as possible.

**Corgi’s Fit-to-Box Star Trek Federation Galaxy Class Starship – USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D**

Besides military aircraft, Corgi officially kicked off the start to their all-new Star Trek series. Models are designed to fit within a uniform sized box, so there is no set scale for each of the models. Two replicas of the USS Enterprise will initially make the cut: one based upon the original TV series and the second upon the Next Generation franchise. No word if non-Federation-based ships will be added to the range, nor the rate at which new models will be added, given the demise of the Eaglemoss Star Trek line of ships and affiliated merchandise.

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Product Spotlight: They Flew from Shangri-La

Corgi’s 1:72 scale replica of USAAC North American B-25B Mitchell Medium Bomber – 40-2249, “Hari Kari-er,” Doolittle Raid, USS Hornet (CV-8), April 18th, 1942

When asked about the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in April 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt played coy with the press, claiming the bombers had taken off from “Shangri-La,” a fictional location in the 1933 novel “Lost Horizon.”

Corgi, on the other hand, is happy to report that the 16 B-25 Mitchell medium-bombers actually flew off the deck of the USS Hornet, and that 2017 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Raid. While they have replicated other aircraft involved in the Raid, their latest warbird pays homage to one of the lesser known B-25 Mitchells, one known as “Hari Kari-er” (AA35313), which was piloted by Captain Charles Greening.

The Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, on Saturday, April 18th, 1942, was an air raid by the United States of America on the Japanese capital, Tokyo, and other places on the island of Honshu during World War II, the first air strike to attack the Japanese Home Islands. It demonstrated that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, served as retaliation for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, and provided an important boost to American morale. The raid was planned and led by Lieutenant Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle of the United States Army Air Forces.

Sixteen B-25B Mitchell medium bombers were launched without fighter escort from the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Hornet deep in the Western Pacific Ocean, each with a crew of five men. The plan called for them to bomb military targets in Japan, and to continue westward to land in China-landing a medium bomber on Hornet was impossible. Fifteen aircraft reached China, but all crashed, while the 16th landed at Vladivostok in the Soviet Union. All but three of the 80 crew members initially survived the mission. Eight airmen were captured by the Japanese Army in China; three of those were later executed. The B-25 that landed in the Soviet Union was confiscated and its crew interned for more than a year. Fourteen complete crews, except for one crewman who was killed in action, returned either to the United States or to American forces.

After the raid, the Japanese Imperial Army conducted a massive sweep through the eastern coastal provinces of China, in an operation now known as the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign, searching for the surviving American airmen and inflicting retribution on the Chinese who aided them, in an effort to prevent this part of China from being used again for an attack on Japan.

The raid caused negligible material damage to Japan, but it achieved its goal of raising American morale and casting doubt in Japan on the ability of its military leaders to defend their home islands. It also contributed to Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s decision to attack Midway Island in the Central Pacific – an attack that turned into a decisive strategic defeat of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) by the U.S. Navy in the Battle of Midway. Doolittle, who initially believed that the loss of all his aircraft would lead to his court-martial, received the Medal of Honor and was promoted two steps to brigadier general.

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Product Spotlight: Fly Softly and Carry a Big Stick

“They have retreated, our troops reached the outskirts of Port Stanley. A large number of Argentinian soldiers have lain down their arms. White flags are flying over Port Stanley. Our troops have issued the command to shoot only in self-defence. Discussions among the commanders on the capitulation of the Argentinian troops in the Falklands have begun.”

– British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, reporting on the British victory over Argentine forces, June 14th, 1982

Back in 1982, Argentina attempted to wrest control of a group of islands in the South Atlantic, known as the Falkland Islands (a.k.a. The Maldives), from the clutches of Great Britain, citing their proximity as the principal reason why it should become Argentinian soil. In response, the British sent the bulk of their fleet and Royal Marines to retake the islands from the Argentinians, and supported the attack with Avro Vulcan strategic bombers carrying conventional ordnance. On May 1st, British operations on the Falklands opened with the first in a series of “Black Buck 1” attacks (of which there were five) on the airfield at Stanley. A Vulcan bomber from Ascension flew on an 8,000-nautical-mile (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) round trip dropping conventional bombs across the runway at Stanley and back to Ascension.

As the final RAF Avro Vulcan squadrons were contemplating their impending withdrawal from service in early 1982, developments in the South Atlantic would see this mighty bomber go to war for the first time in its 26-year service history. Operation “Black Buck” would require a Vulcan to drop 21 conventional 1,000 lb bombs on the runway at Port Stanley, in the Falkland Islands, preventing Argentine forces from using their most capable strike and support aircraft. It would also send a strong message to Argentina’s political leaders that Britain would stop at nothing in re-taking the Islands.

The raid would be launched from RAF Ascension Island, which was some 6,300 km from the Falklands and presented something of a logistical nightmare for military planners. Flown almost entirely over the sea, the Black Buck raids would require the support of twelve Victor tankers on the outbound leg, with a further two for the return flight and all the associated contingency plans.

Taking off from Ascension Island at midnight on April 30th, 1982, Avro Vulcan B.2 XM607 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Martin Withers was to fly as reserve aircraft to the primary bomber XM598 on this highly complex raid, but was quickly promoted to lead aircraft on “Black Buck 1” following technical difficulties encountered by XM598. Embarking on what was the longest bombing raid attempt in history, XM607 was refuelled seven times on its way to the Falkland Islands, before successfully releasing its payload of bombs across the Port Stanley runway.

Following a further rendezvous with a Victor tanker on the way home, XM607 returned to its base on Ascension Island and a place in the history books – if nothing else, this raid illustrated Britain’s determination to take back the Falkland Islands and that they had the capability to do it. Of the seven Black Buck raids planned against Argentine forces on the Falkland Islands, five actually took place and proved to be the only time that Britain’s Mighty Avro Vulcan went to war.

Corgi’s RAF Avro Vulcan B.2 Strategic Bomber – XM607, RAF No. 44 Squadron, “Operation Black Buck”, Falklands Conflict, South Atlantic, 1982 (AA27203) is expected later this holiday season.

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Product Spotlight: Dancing with Doodlebugs

Perhaps the most curious development arising from the Second World War was the so-called Wunderwaffe (Wonder Weapons), which came about when the German military sought a qualitative solution over the Allies as they closed the noose around the Third Reich during the final stages of the war. One of the technological breakthroughs was the Vergeltungswaffe 1 or V-1 (also known to the Allies as the buzz bomb, or doodlebug) – a rocket propelled, unmanned aircraft filled with explosives that was flown off of low slung ramps from the westernmost bases along the English Channel towards targets in England. Once the V-1 reached its target, its engine would cut out and the aircraft would descend vertically towards its target, which was usually a dense civilian population center. To defeat these high speed threats, the RAF employed their fastest interceptors to either shoot down the bombs from a distance before they could reach their targets or tip them over using a highly risky wingtip-to-wingtip toppling technique (“the Doodlebug Dance”) that put the pilot’s life in jeopardy, as well as his aircraft.

Corgi’s upcoming set consisting of a Gloster F.1 Meteor and accompanying Doodlebug is a fitting reminder of what air-to-air combat had become towards the waning stages of the War (AA27403).

Under the cloak of extreme secrecy, Britain had been testing the viability of a jet-powered fighter since early 1941, with the Gloster E28/89 Pioneer proving that this was indeed possible. The race was now on to produce an effective, operational jet fighter, at a time when every available resource was required for the war effort and experimental technology was a luxury that often proved to be more of a distraction. Work continued apace and the twin-engined Gloster Meteor neared a test flight.

This work was so highly classified, that any test flight required the roads around the airfield to be sealed off by the local constabulary and all residents ushered away from the immediate vicinity. All non-essential personnel were forced to leave the airfield for the duration of the test flight, even though they would have clearly seen (and heard) the strange new aircraft once it was in the air! Following completion of the flight and the safe recovery of the aircraft, life could get back to normal.

As the Gloster Meteor entered RAF service, it was originally charged with destroying the V-1 flying bombs that were being sent indiscriminately in the direction of southern Britain. The first Meteor victory over a Doodlebug occurred on the 4th August 1944, when Flying Officer T.D ‘Dixie’ Dean spotted a V-1 flying in the direction of Tunbridge Wells. Placing his Meteor EE216 in a shallow dive to build up speed, he lined up the V-1 in his gunsight and fired – after a short burst, all four guns jammed.

Dean was determined not to let the Doodlebug get away and maneuvered his Meteor alongside the flying bomb, wing tip to wing tip. When he was positioned as close as he safely could, he flicked the control column of his Meteor and banked sharply away – the sudden airflow disruption caused the V-1 to go out of control and crash without causing injury on open ground. Dean had the first Meteor victory over the V-1 and was the first pilot to use the risky ‘tip and run’ tactic to destroy one these feared flying bombs.

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Corgi Revises its 2013 Release Schedule

Previously, we were under the impression that Corgi’s eagerly expected B-17/F Flying Fortress bomber and Bf 109G-6 fighter set were slated for an early 2014 release, however, according to their latest information has been moved up to an October ship (#AA39915). Likewise, their massive 1:72 scale Avro Vulcan strategic bomber has been advanced to a pre-Christmas debut, no doubt terrific news for everyone that hoped to find one under the tree this holiday (#AA27201).

On the flip side, no dates have yet been set for their pair of 1:72 scale Swordfish torpedo planes, which was being offered in two configurations. No reason has been given for the indeterminate release so we’re not sure what the hold up is behind their delay (#AA36310). Other aircraft have been pushed up in the schedule while others have been nudged back, so we recommend you peruse our Corgi Aviation Archive section for the latest information

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