{"product_id":"corgi-49301-1-72-north-american-p-51d-mustang-usaaf-84th-fs-wz-i-big-beautiful-doll-john-landers-raf-duxford-1945","title":"Corgi 49301 1:72 North American P-51D Mustang USAAF 84th FS WZ-I Big Beautiful Doll John Landers RAF Duxford 1945","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of North American P-51D Mustang 44-72218 “Big Beautiful Doll”, flown by distinguished American fighter pilot Colonel John D. Landers during the final months of the Second World War.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, model 49301 depicts aircraft WZ-I of the USAAF 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, while operating from RAF Duxford during 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 78th Fighter Group initially operated the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt from Britain before converting to the P-51 Mustang. From RAF Duxford, its three fighter squadrons undertook bomber escort, fighter sweep, ground-attack and airfield strafing missions over occupied Europe and Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eColonel John D. Landers had previously achieved fighter ace status in the Pacific while flying the Curtiss P-40 before returning to combat in Europe. He later flew both the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang, commanded several fighter units and completed the war with victories recorded in both major operational theatres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLanders used the name “Big Beautiful Doll” on several of his combat aircraft. P-51D 44-72218 became the best-known example and was assigned to him after he took command of the 78th Fighter Group at RAF Duxford during February 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model recreates the aircraft's polished natural-metal finish with a black anti-glare panel and the distinctive black and white chequered nose markings associated with the 78th Fighter Group. The black rudder and WZ squadron code identify the aircraft with the 84th Fighter Squadron, while the individual letter “I”, prominent USAAF insignia and colourful Big Beautiful Doll nose artwork complete the scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped as a long-range fighter, the North American P-51 Mustang first flew in 1940. The combination of its aerodynamically efficient airframe and Rolls-Royce Merlin engine gave the later P-51 variants the range, speed and high-altitude performance required to escort Allied bombers deep into German-controlled territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe P-51D introduced a large bubble canopy that significantly improved all-round visibility, together with six wing-mounted machine guns and refinements to the aircraft's controls and internal systems. Its combination of range, manoeuvrability and firepower established the Mustang as one of the most successful Allied fighters of the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReleased around 2000 and limited to 6,500 pieces worldwide, this early Corgi Aviation Archive model is particularly appealing to collectors of USAAF aircraft, RAF Duxford history and famous fighter aces. The model features substantial diecast construction, a detailed cockpit with pilot figure beneath the clear bubble canopy, a rotating four-bladed propeller, removable landing gear, underwing accessories, authentic Big Beautiful Doll markings, the original presentation display stand and a numbered limited-edition certificate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corgi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aviation Archive Collector Series\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e 49301\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial:\u003c\/strong\u003e 44-72218\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e WZ-I\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Big Beautiful Doll\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colonel John D. Landers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e USAAF 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAir Force:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Eighth Air Force\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign \/ Event:\u003c\/strong\u003e Final European operations of the Second World War\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre \/ Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e RAF Duxford, England\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1945\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator \/ Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Army Air Forces \/ United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimited Edition Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6,500 pieces worldwide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa 2000\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Limited edition release, authentic Big Beautiful Doll nose artwork, 44-72218 serial, WZ-I tactical markings, black and white 78th Fighter Group chequered nose, polished natural-metal finish, detailed bubble-canopy cockpit with pilot figure, rotating four-bladed propeller, removable landing gear, underwing accessories, original presentation display stand and numbered certificate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 5.25\" or 13.3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 6.25\" or 15.9 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Near Mint (9\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel is in near mint condition overall and comes complete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall paint inconsistency present just above the “Big Beautiful Doll” text, although this is not easily visible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA couple of light handling marks are also present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Very Good (7\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox is in very good condition for its age, with some shelf wear present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYellow plastic inner tray lid has slightly yellowed with age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Corgi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57742848885118,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/corgi-49301-172-north-american-p-51d-mustang-usaaf-84th-fs-wz-i-big-beautiful-doll-john-landers-raf-duxford-1945-4948257.jpg?v=1784903439","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/corgi-49301-1-72-north-american-p-51d-mustang-usaaf-84th-fs-wz-i-big-beautiful-doll-john-landers-raf-duxford-1945","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}