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Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US32221
North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model
USAAF 3rd ACG, 3rd ACS, "The Chief", Bud Mahurin, Philippines, 1945
Limited Edition of 1260 Pieces Worldwide
This is Number 0109
1:72 Scale Length Width
North American P-51D Mustang. 5.25" 6.25"
Major Walker "Bud" Mahurin added a solitary Japanese kill to his 20 ETO victories while flying this P-51D during his time as CO of the newly formed 3rd ACS. He claimed a Ki-46 "Dinah" on January 14, 1945, while supporting operations in the Philippines. As a young fighter pilot, bud Mahurin was always photographed with a big smile on his face, especially in his early World War II photographs. He couldn't have known that he would be one of the few U.S. fighter pilots who would be shot down in two different wars. He also couldn't have known he'd become a fighter ace, a POW and an American hero.
North American P-51D Mustang
Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."
Corgi's 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.
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.
