Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

North American B-25J Mitchell – 44-30934 'Betty's Dream', 499th BS, 345th BG, USAAF, Le Shima, Okinawa, 1945

1:72 Scale.  Length: 8.75”.  Wingspan: 11.25”


Limited Edition of 1,500 Models Worldwide

Constructed as a late model B-25J Mitchell, 44-30934 was assigned to the 499th Bombardment Squadron (Bats Outta Hell') at Clark Field, Philippines, one of the squadrons which made up the 345th Bombardment Group, the famed 'Air Apaches'.

Flying dangerous, yet devastatingly effective low altitude bombing and strafing missions against Japanese targets across the Pacific the 499th BS earned a fearsome reputation for aggressively carrying out missions using heavily armed B-25 Mitchells. Even though 'Betty's Dream' only saw action in the Pacific Theatre for a relatively short period, the aircraft was afforded a unique and historic honor at the end of the war in recognition of the unit's significant contribution to eventual Allied victory.

'Betty's Dream' was one of two B-25s sent to rendezvous with an official Japanese surrender delegation, which was flying from a base in Japan, and escort the aircraft to the U.S. airfield at Le Shima, on the island of Okinawa. The Japanese delegation were flying in two G4M2 'Betty' bombers, which had been hastily overpainted in a distinctive white scheme, with their national insignia replaced by green crosses to avoid being shot down by U.S. forces.

Once the Japanese officials arrived at Le Shima, Okinawa they were transferred to a USAF C54 transport aircraft and flown to Manila, where representatives of the victorious Allied nations were waiting to formalize the terms of the Japanese Empire's surrender. Earning a reputation as one of the most effective medium bombers of World War II, the B-25 Mitchell would also be used as a hard-hitting, low altitude attack aircraft, fighting across the South West Pacific and helping to drive the Japanese back to their home islands.

Around 800 of the B-25J variant were produced for this task, replacing the greenhouse nose of the bomber version with a solid nose housing eight .50 calibre machine guns and incorporating additional fuel tanks to allow long distance strike missions to be undertaken. Targeting airfields, shipping, supply dumps and troop concentrations, these very hazardous missions were usually flown from an inland direction, breaking away out over the sea, to give them the best chance of avoiding enemy defensive fire.

Helping to establish the fearsome reputation of these attack B-25s many 345th BG aircraft were embellished with aggressive looking nose art, such as the 'Hell Bat' featured on 1st Lt. Charles 'Pop' Rice Junior's B-25 'Betty's Dream', an aircraft which would have an important escort role to perform in the days after the end of the war. It was charged with escorting the ‘Betty’ bomber carrying the only official copy of Japan's surrender terms, as it headed for an airfield near Tokyo on August 21, 1945.

The B-25 Mitchell was a twin-engine medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation and used by the United States and Allied air forces during World War II. It was named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. First flown on August 19, 1940, the B-25 entered operational service in 1941. Nearly 10,000 B-25s were built in numerous variants.


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 constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a B-25 Mitchell features: