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Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series 48903
Boeing B-29 Superfortress with Bell X-1
Test Pilot - Captain Charles ‘Chuck’ Yeager
1:144 Scale Length Width
Boeing B-29 Superfortress 8.25" 11.75"
Limited Edition of 4000 produced Worldwide
This is Number 0373
History was made on August 6th 1945 when the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb, code-named "Little Boy", that destroyed the Japanese city of Hiroshima. An eleven man crew flew the mission from Tinian Island led by Colonel Paul Tibbetts who named the plane after his mother. Although disassembled in 1960 the plane is now fully restored and on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.
After the War the USA was able to concentrate on developing Aviation
Including breaking the sound barrier.
The Bell X-1 was carried up to a high altitude underneath a B-29 ( Motherplane)
The first launch took place on 19th January 1946 , on the 14th October 1947 the Bell X-1 became the first in the world to exceed the speed of sound in level flight attaining Mach 1.015 or 1,078km/hr (670 mph) at 42,000 feet.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Designed to meet an American need for a very heavy, long range bomber, the B-29 Superfortress was first flown on September 21st, 1942. The USAAF's intent in building the B-29 was to have an aircraft that was capable of winning the war through sheer destructive power-by destroying the enemy homeland. This mid-wing bomber had four 3,500 horsepower Pratt & Whitney engines. It required a crew of 10 specialists and gunners and had a sophisticated weapons system that included guns mounted in electrically powered turrets in the dorsal, ventral and tail positions. The guns were operated by internal periscope systems.
Corgi's 1:144 scale B-29 series pays tribute to one of the last piston engine driven US heavy bombers. These models weigh in at well over a pound and are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic. The tail and wing with integrated engine nacelles are solid diecast metal. Radial engine detail is present inside the engine nacelles behind the thinly stamped all-metal propellers. Both the nose and the rear gunner's canopy feature a transparent window, and all machine gun stations and turrets feature sturdy all metal machine guns that won't bend or break.
Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
