Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast 2-Model Set

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt – Lt. Warren Penny, 317th FS, 325th FG “Checkertail Clan”, USAAF, Italy, March 1944

1:72 Scale.  Length: 6”.  Wingspan: 6.75”


North American P-51B Mustang – Capt. Robert Barkey, 319th FS, 325th FG “Checkertail Clan”, USAAF, Italy, July 1944

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


Limited Edition of 1,200 Model Sets Worldwide

The Checkertail Clan was one of the most famous Fighter Groups to serve in the Mediterranean Theater of operations. Entering combat on April 17, 1943 flying P-40 Thunderbolts the 325th FG later re-equipped with P-47s and ended the war flying P-51s. They flew their first missions, from North Africa, while part of the 12th Army Air Force. In November 1943, they became part of the 306th Fighter Wing, and moved to Italy with the newly formed 15th AAF for the remainder of the war. Three squadrons, the 317th FS, 318th FS, and 319th FS formed the 325th Fighter Group.

The second P-47D Thunderbolt supplied to 1st Lt Warren Penny during his combat tour with the Checkertails was unusual in being only one of a few natural metal finish Thunderbolts flown by the 325th FG prior to its transition to P-51 Mustangs.

Having flown 47 combat missions, and claimed four victories, Capt. Bob Barkey was issued with this P-51B Mustang, named in honor of his wife, in May 1944. Standing at 6ft 4in tall Barkey was nearly transferred to a bomber unit when the 325th FG transitioned from the roomy P-47D to the snug P-51. According to his son, he fought to fly fighters since he was desperate to claim that all important fifth aerial kill that would give him Ace status. His crew chief, SSgt Schneider duly tore the seat adjustor out of Barkey's P-51B Mustang and welded the seat to the floor as far back as it would go. This strictly unauthorized modification clearly did the trick, as Barkey completed a further six missions with the 325th FG and claimed his fifth kill, prior to returning home.

Affectionately nicknamed "Jug", the P-47 was one of the most famous USAAF fighter planes of WW II. The P-47 made its first flight in May 1941, and in March 1942 the first production model was delivered. By the end of the war, Republic Aviation Corp. had built more than 15,600 P-47s

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was a single-seat World War II fighter aircraft. First flown on October 26, 1940, the P-51 was designed and built in just 117 days. It flew most of its missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from 1944. As well as being economical to produce, the Mustang was a fast and durable aircraft

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.

Each model features: