If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.







Corgi 49101 1:72 Hawker Hurricane Mk I RAF No.85 Sqn VY-Q P3854 Peter Townsend Battle of Britain 1940
Preowned - Mint (10/10)
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
Description
A highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of the Hawker Hurricane Mk I flown by Squadron Leader Peter Townsend during the Battle of Britain. Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, model 49101 depicts Hurricane P3854, coded “VY-Q”, of RAF No. 85 Squadron while operating from RAF Church Fenton during September 1940.
No. 85 Squadron was one of the Royal Air Force fighter units heavily engaged during the Battle of Britain. Under the command of Peter Townsend, the squadron flew defensive patrols and interception missions against Luftwaffe aircraft approaching Britain, contributing to Fighter Command’s effort to maintain control of the skies during the critical summer and autumn of 1940.
Peter Townsend was an experienced RAF fighter pilot and squadron commander who achieved several aerial victories during the Second World War. He became closely associated with the Hawker Hurricane and led No. 85 Squadron through a demanding period of operations before the unit later converted to night-fighter duties.
Hurricane P3854 was initially assigned to No. 7 Operational Training Unit and later served with Nos. 85 and 257 Squadrons before being transferred to No. 56 Operational Training Unit. The aircraft was eventually struck off charge in August 1941. The model recreates its distinctive dark RAF camouflage, prominent VY-Q squadron codes and period national markings.
An unusual feature of this aircraft was the positioning of its RAF fin flash. The marking had been applied over an earlier canopy-frame marking, resulting in a slightly displaced appearance when compared with the standard arrangement seen on many contemporary Hurricanes.
Designed by Sydney Camm, the Hawker Hurricane first flew in 1935 and became one of the most important British fighters of the Second World War. Its combination of a steel-tube fuselage structure, fabric-covered sections, retractable undercarriage and powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine provided the RAF with a capable and dependable modern monoplane fighter.
Although often overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane equipped a greater number of RAF squadrons during the Battle of Britain and was responsible for destroying a significant proportion of enemy aircraft. This Corgi release features diecast construction, simulated fabric-covered surfaces, finely reproduced camouflage and markings, a rotating propeller and the original Aviation Archive presentation stand.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Corgi
Series: Aviation Archive Collector Series
Model code: 49101
Aircraft: Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Serial: P3854
Tactical Markings: VY-Q
Pilot: Squadron Leader Peter Townsend
Unit: Royal Air Force No. 85 Squadron
Campaign / Event: Battle of Britain
Theatre / Base: RAF Church Fenton, England
Date/Period: September 1940
Operator / Country: Royal Air Force / United Kingdom
Scale: 1:72
Material: Diecast metal with quality sub-components
Special Features: Authentic RAF No. 85 Squadron VY-Q markings, Battle of Britain camouflage, unusual fin flash positioning, simulated fabric-covered surfaces, rotating propeller and original Aviation Archive presentation display stand
Model Dimensions
Length: 5.25" or 13.3 cm
Width (Wingspan): 6.75" or 17.1 cm
Condition
Model Condition - Mint (10/10)
- Comes complete.
Box condition - Excellent (8/10)
- Some shelf wear is present but structurally sound.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading
Grading Criteria
Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.
Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.
Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.
If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.
Shipping
Goods will be shipped next day after the order is placed.
You can stay updated on your tracking information by clicking Track Your Order here. Alternatively, this can be located via the top menu under 'Track Your Order'.
Please allow extra time for delivery during the busy Christmas period.
UK Shipping
- Free Express Tracked Delivery (Royal Mail Tracked 24 – 1 Business day)
For orders over £100. - Free Premium Delivery (ParcelForce Express Tracked – 1 Business day)
For orders over £200. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2–3 working days) – £3.95
For orders under £100. - Royal Mail Express Tracked (1 business day) – £5.20
For orders under £100.
Worldwide
International shipping is available and fully insured up to the total order value. Add items to your cart and enter your delivery address in the cart to see postage before checkout. If you buy multiple items, the cart will automatically combine shipping costs based on item weight.
International Import Duties & Taxes
For selected duty-paid destinations, import duties and taxes are calculated and collected upfront at checkout. Where these charges are shown at checkout, your order will be shipped using a duty-paid service where available, helping to reduce the chance of additional import charges on delivery.
Selected European duty-paid destinations currently include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty-paid shipping may also be available for the United States, Norway and Switzerland where shown at checkout.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU), meaning import charges may be payable before delivery.
Products are packaged very well to ensure secure delivery and a happy customer.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.

Corgi 49101 1:72 Hawker Hurricane Mk I RAF No.85 Sqn VY-Q P3854 Peter Townsend Battle of Britain 1940
Sale price£22.00 GBP
Choose options







- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
Description
A highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of the Hawker Hurricane Mk I flown by Squadron Leader Peter Townsend during the Battle of Britain. Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, model 49101 depicts Hurricane P3854, coded “VY-Q”, of RAF No. 85 Squadron while operating from RAF Church Fenton during September 1940.
No. 85 Squadron was one of the Royal Air Force fighter units heavily engaged during the Battle of Britain. Under the command of Peter Townsend, the squadron flew defensive patrols and interception missions against Luftwaffe aircraft approaching Britain, contributing to Fighter Command’s effort to maintain control of the skies during the critical summer and autumn of 1940.
Peter Townsend was an experienced RAF fighter pilot and squadron commander who achieved several aerial victories during the Second World War. He became closely associated with the Hawker Hurricane and led No. 85 Squadron through a demanding period of operations before the unit later converted to night-fighter duties.
Hurricane P3854 was initially assigned to No. 7 Operational Training Unit and later served with Nos. 85 and 257 Squadrons before being transferred to No. 56 Operational Training Unit. The aircraft was eventually struck off charge in August 1941. The model recreates its distinctive dark RAF camouflage, prominent VY-Q squadron codes and period national markings.
An unusual feature of this aircraft was the positioning of its RAF fin flash. The marking had been applied over an earlier canopy-frame marking, resulting in a slightly displaced appearance when compared with the standard arrangement seen on many contemporary Hurricanes.
Designed by Sydney Camm, the Hawker Hurricane first flew in 1935 and became one of the most important British fighters of the Second World War. Its combination of a steel-tube fuselage structure, fabric-covered sections, retractable undercarriage and powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine provided the RAF with a capable and dependable modern monoplane fighter.
Although often overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane equipped a greater number of RAF squadrons during the Battle of Britain and was responsible for destroying a significant proportion of enemy aircraft. This Corgi release features diecast construction, simulated fabric-covered surfaces, finely reproduced camouflage and markings, a rotating propeller and the original Aviation Archive presentation stand.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Corgi
Series: Aviation Archive Collector Series
Model code: 49101
Aircraft: Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Serial: P3854
Tactical Markings: VY-Q
Pilot: Squadron Leader Peter Townsend
Unit: Royal Air Force No. 85 Squadron
Campaign / Event: Battle of Britain
Theatre / Base: RAF Church Fenton, England
Date/Period: September 1940
Operator / Country: Royal Air Force / United Kingdom
Scale: 1:72
Material: Diecast metal with quality sub-components
Special Features: Authentic RAF No. 85 Squadron VY-Q markings, Battle of Britain camouflage, unusual fin flash positioning, simulated fabric-covered surfaces, rotating propeller and original Aviation Archive presentation display stand
Model Dimensions
Length: 5.25" or 13.3 cm
Width (Wingspan): 6.75" or 17.1 cm
Condition
Model Condition - Mint (10/10)
- Comes complete.
Box condition - Excellent (8/10)
- Some shelf wear is present but structurally sound.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading
Grading Criteria
Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.
Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.
Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.
If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.
Shipping
Goods will be shipped next day after the order is placed.
You can stay updated on your tracking information by clicking Track Your Order here. Alternatively, this can be located via the top menu under 'Track Your Order'.
Please allow extra time for delivery during the busy Christmas period.
UK Shipping
- Free Express Tracked Delivery (Royal Mail Tracked 24 – 1 Business day)
For orders over £100. - Free Premium Delivery (ParcelForce Express Tracked – 1 Business day)
For orders over £200. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2–3 working days) – £3.95
For orders under £100. - Royal Mail Express Tracked (1 business day) – £5.20
For orders under £100.
Worldwide
International shipping is available and fully insured up to the total order value. Add items to your cart and enter your delivery address in the cart to see postage before checkout. If you buy multiple items, the cart will automatically combine shipping costs based on item weight.
International Import Duties & Taxes
For selected duty-paid destinations, import duties and taxes are calculated and collected upfront at checkout. Where these charges are shown at checkout, your order will be shipped using a duty-paid service where available, helping to reduce the chance of additional import charges on delivery.
Selected European duty-paid destinations currently include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty-paid shipping may also be available for the United States, Norway and Switzerland where shown at checkout.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU), meaning import charges may be payable before delivery.
Products are packaged very well to ensure secure delivery and a happy customer.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.
If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.
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