Description
Corgi Aviation Archive Series Die-cast Model
North American B-25D Mitchell – 'Red Wrath’, 498th BS 'The Falcons', 345th BG, USAAF, Dobodura Airfield, New Guinea 1943
1:72 Scale. Length: 8.75”. Wingspan: 11.25”
Limited Edition of 1100 Models Worldwide
The four squadrons making up the 345th BG 'Air Apaches' arrived in Port Moresby, New Guinea during the summer of 1943, routing from Australia, with crews intent on continuing work started by the 38th BG 'Sunsetters' in using B-25 Mitchells as low flying strafing gunships. Fitted with an additional eight forward firing .50 cal. machine guns, the aircraft of the 498th BS 'The Falcons' became some of the most flamboyantly presented aircraft of the Pacific War, with the glazed section of their noses painted in a green, yellow and red representation of a falcon's head. With all those .50 cals firing in unison, must have made for a fearsome sight, particularly if you were unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of their attentions.
This distinctive aircraft named 'Red Wrath', was one of the hard-working strafing Mitchells of the 498th BS and made a name for itself while leading a raid against Japanese forces on the Island of Rabul in October 1943, one of the first such operations. Flown by Lt. Col. Clinton L True, 'Red Wrath' flew at the head of a force of 36 B-25s leaving their base at Dobodura Airfield, with 200 miles of open ocean between them and their target.
Bad weather forced the mission to be aborted, however, the leader of the force apparently didn't receive the order and the Mitchells pressed on alone. Lt. Col. True had a reputation for being a particularly aggressive pilot and wore his Fearless nickname with pride, and while it was claimed that he simply chose to ignore the order, that was never definitively proven. Pressing their attack home with ferocity, once the Mitchells were over the target, they pounded the Japanese airfield complex, claiming at least 22 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air and countless others put out of action on the ground. Only 2 B-25s failed to make the return flight home to Dobodura Airfield.
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, diecast 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 B-25 Mitchell features:
Detailed crew figures
Realistic panel lines and antennas
Historically accurate printed markings
Rotatable propellers
Rotatable gun turret
Opening bomb bay doors
Optional extended landing gear
Display stand
Numbered collector card
Box with B-25 Mitchell artwork
Category: Corgi 1:72 U.S. Military Aircraft Models
Not suitable for children under the age of 14 years
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