Corgi AA32820 | D.H Mosquito B.IV DK296 105 Squadron Flt. Lt. D A G 'George' Parry June 1942 - 100 Years of the RAF

General Background:

Designed in a private venture as a high-altitude, high-speed unarmed bomber, the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was first flown on November 25th, 1940. The Mosquito was one of the most successful aircraft of the Second World War. Only the Ju 88 could rival its versatility. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the all-wood Mosquito was as fast as a fighter and could carry the payload of a medium bomber. During its lifetime, the Mosquito was used in varying roles, which included night fighter and ground attack. It carried radar systems and cannons, and there was even a carrier landing version.

The Aircraft:

As one of the great aircraft of the Second World War, the De Havilland Mosquito can claim to be the world's first truly effective multi-role aircraft, possessing great speed and being equally adept at performing missions as either a fighter or a bomber. When entering full production, the Mosquito was the fastest aircraft in the world and a closely guarded RAF secret - pilots operating the first Mosquito raids over occupied territory were instructed to burn their aircraft if crash landing safely, to avoid the Mosquito falling into German hands.

Constructed almost entirely of wooden laminate, the aircraft soon came to the attention of the British public, who referred to the Mosquito as the 'Wooden Wonder', a bomber that was able to out-run the Luftwaffe. From a German perspective, the Mosquito was arguably the British aircraft they coveted the most and despite attempts to produce their own equivalent, they could never match the impressive performance of the RAF Mosquito.

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
• Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
• Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.