Corgi Aviation Archive Diecast Model North American P-51B-5 43-6913 Mustang USAAF 336TH FS/4TH FG Debden, Essex March 1944 "Shangri La" Capt. Don Gentile 1/48 Scale - US37102 Length: 5.25" Wingspan: 6.25" Each fully painted and assembled model features: - Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed pilots and crew members (1:72/1:32).
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards (1:72/1:32).
- Selected interchangeable features such as airbrakes, opened canopies and access panels (1:72/1:32).
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings (1:72/1:32).
About this Model: The first American to reach World War I ranking US ace Eddie Rickenbacker's 26 victory score, Don Gentile had claimed 21.83 aerial and six ground strafing kills by April 1944. This tally prompted Gen Eisenhower to dub him a ‘one-man air force'. Trained in Canada after being rejected by the USAAC, Gentile claimed his first kill with the RAF in Spitfires. He then scored two in USAAF Spitfires and four in P-47s, before converting onto the P-51B and claiming a further 15.5 up to April 13, 1944. The majority of his claims came in this aircraft, which became one of the best-known P-51s of the Eighth Air Force in World War II. It was written off at the end of Gentile's last mission on April 13, 1944. He clipped the ground at Debden while beating up the airfield for the attending press, who had gathered to welcome him back from his final sortie. The aircraft broke its back in the resulting crash-landing. Gentile was subsequently killed in a post-war flying accident. |
