On Friday, Corgi debuted its latest round of diecast warbirds, which spans everything from a 1:48 scale BAe Harrier jump jet to a diminutive 1:72 scale Messerschmitt operated by the Regia Aeronautica. Its an interesting roll call of combat fliers, which adds a number of eagerly requested warbirds from a litany of twenty- and twenty first century military engagements.
Corgi’s 1:12 scale Triumph 1962 TR6R 650cc Motorcycle – Steve McQueen, “The Great Escape”
Also up for consideration is a 1:12 scale Triumph 1962 TR6R 650cc motorcycle that was used by Steve McQueen in the feature film The Great Escape.Its their second two-wheeler, and certainly looks like a winner for both McQueen diehards and bike enthusiasts world over.
We’ve listed all of the newest models in our May Additions section, and invite you to take a look and pre-order those models that could be of particular interest to you. As an aside, Corgi has put together this video which helps to add a bit of background information for each new introduction. Enjoy!
A couple of months back, Hornby let slip that they were looking to get into the sci-fi universe by offering a range of Star Trek-related products. Today, they confirmed the rumors on Facebook with the following post:
“Happy First Contact Day! We’re delighted to confirm that Corgi will be returning to The Final Frontier later this year as we begin to release a new range of officially licensed models from the Star Trek Universe!”
Its a sort of cryptic message with little substance behind it, since it still isn’t clear if they plan to resurrect the Eaglemoss line of Star Trek starships or launch their own fleet from the Trek yards. Either way, its welcome news for both Trekkies and diecast collectors, all of whom are eager to live out their next five year mission with the help of Corgi warping into space in the captain’s chair alongside them.
Corgi’s Top Gun Maverick 2020 Maverick’s F/A-18 Hornet (Fit to Box)
Capitalizing on the success of their Showcase Series twin aircraft sets, Corgi unexpectedly announced the imminent arrival of a brand new SKU that focuses solely on Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s F/A-18 as depicted in the feature film Top Gun: Maverick. Nothing new has been added or embellished to the model but for those collectors that would prefer to nab his aircraft all by its lonesome, now you can do so. Best of all, these should be in stock by the beginning of October making them an ideal stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season. Word of advice — better “feel the need for speed” sooner rather than later cause these collectibles are almost certain to sell out once word pf Maverick’s legendary exploits spreads.
As promised, Corgi unveiled the third and last installment in their 2022 product roll out earlier this month. Several new aircraft are being introduced that are largely tapping into existing ranges, be they WWI fighters or WWII fighters. That said, one new range was launched — WWII: War Under the Sun, which, as its name implies, looks at aircraft flown by both sides of the conflict in the expansive Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. Here now the aircraft you can look forward to treating yourself this holiday season.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 (Trop) “Gustav” Fighter – “Red 1”, Hpt. Werner Schroer, 8./Jagdgeschwader 27 “Afrika”, Gazala, Libya, 1942Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX Fighter – Wing Commander James Edgar “Johnnie” Johnson, No.127 (RCAF) Wing, 1944Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk. I Fighter – Squadron Leader Ian Richard “Widge” Gleed, No.87 Squadron, Exeter, England, 1940Corgi’s 1:48 scale German Albatros D.V Fighter – 2263/17, Otto Kissemberth, Jasta 23, Puxieux, France, August 1917Corgi’s 1:48 scale German Fokker D VII Fighter – Ltn. Kurt Monnington, Jasta 18, Halluin, France, March 1918
As part of their revised strategy to announce new product at varying intervals during the year, Corgi indicated that their next roll out will occur on May 9th. The second of three product roll outs will encompass those items expected to ship between May and August. A third and final roll out will likely occur later in the year, possibly as early as August after most vacation goers have returned home. Frankly we applaud this change in marketing strategy, since it helps them to keep their line fresher and more up-to-date while lessening the likelihood that some customers may have to wait an entire year or more for pre-orders to be filled. Keep in mind that although these items are earmarked for a May-August release, delays can and most likely will still occur based upon issues still plaguing the global supply chain, exacerbated by what is currently occurring in China.
We’ll be on vacation from May 4th-10th, so we will formally post this new range upon our return, just as soon as we have addressed any and all orders we may have received while we are away. So hang in there, take note of any new videos or still images Corgi may debut on Facebook or YouTube, and get ready for some of their newest and finest introductions expected mid year.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
