Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Bristol Beaufort Mk.I - N1016 (OA-X), Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, RAF St. Eval, Cornwall, England, April 6, 1941

1:72 Scale.  Length: 7.4".  Wingspan: 9.6"


Limited Edition of 1900 Models Worldwide

As an Island nation, the protection of Britain’s sea lanes during WWII 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 threat and on receiving news that the ships had entered Brest harbor to undergo repairs in March 1941 the RAF immediately planned raids intended to destroy or at least damage the ships. On Sunday April 6, 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 harbour. 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 proceed with the 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, descending to almost wavetop height. Pilot 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 a 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 bank turn, the Beaufort exposed its undersides to the anti-aircraft gunners that raked it with everything they had. Having sustained damage during its attack run against Gneisenau, Bristol Beaufort N1016 crashed into the harbour almost immediately, tragically claiming the lives of all souls on board. Unbeknown to them, their attack was 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 cargo reached its destination as a result of the heroic actions of this air 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 German battleship back to British authorities, they also described the actions of this brave Beaufort crew and how they had paid the ultimate price while 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 is a leading manufacturer of high quality, pre-built, die-cast model airplanes. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to details, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are made with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Beaufort Mk.I features: