Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Curtiss P-40B Warhawk - 160/15P, 2nd Lt. George Welch, 47th PS, 15th PG, USAAF, Wheeler Field, Wahiawa, Hawaii, December 7, 1941

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5.25”.  Wingspan: 6.25"


Limited Edition of 1,500 Models Worldwide

Following an extremely late night at the squadron Christmas party, USAAF pilots George Welch and Kenneth Taylor woke to the sound of explosions and low flying aircraft. It was December 7, 1941 and the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was under attack by Japan. Still wearing their mess dress from the previous night the men contacted Wheeler Field where their squadron had been deployed and instructed ground crews to prepare two P-40 Warhawk fighters for flight.

Driving their Buick at high speed and coming under fire from Japanese aircraft, the men arrived at Wheeler Field and immediately made for their aircraft – taking off beneath waves of attacking enemy aircraft, the two pilots fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, even landing to re-fuel and re-arm, only to take off and fight again. During a frantic few minutes, Welch destroyed four enemy aircraft, with Taylor accounting for at least a further two. For their heroic actions during the attack, Welch and Taylor were both awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The Curtiss P-40 was a single-engine fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. It was used by the air forces of 28 nations, including most of the Allied powers during WWII. By November 1944, when production ceased, 13,738 P-40s had been built.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a P-40 Warhawk features: