A highly collectable 1:144 scale three-aircraft presentation set representing the Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire operated by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive, model 49501 brings together three of Britain's most important preserved military aircraft.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was established to preserve historically important Royal Air Force aircraft in flying condition and to commemorate those who served in the air and on the ground. Its formation displays have become a familiar and moving sight at commemorative events and air shows throughout the United Kingdom.
The largest model in the set represents Avro Lancaster B.Mk I PA474 carrying the squadron code KM-B and the name “City of Lincoln”. Completed during 1945, PA474 arrived too late to undertake wartime bombing operations but later served in photographic reconnaissance and experimental roles before being preserved and returned to flight.
The Lancaster's dark earth and dark green upper camouflage, black undersides, RAF markings and prominent KM-B codes reproduce an earlier Battle of Britain Memorial Flight presentation worn by the aircraft.
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc LF363 is represented carrying the code LE-D. LF363 is particularly significant as one of the final Hurricanes accepted into Royal Air Force service and was one of the original aircraft used when the RAF Historic Aircraft Flight was established during 1957.
The third aircraft is Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb AB910, presented with the markings QJ-J. Built during 1941, AB910 served with several operational RAF squadrons during the Second World War before eventually becoming part of the Memorial Flight.
The aircraft represented by this set were preserved and displayed in changing commemorative schemes over the course of their service. The markings reproduce their appearance during an earlier period of Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operations rather than depicting a single wartime formation.
Produced around 1999, this early Aviation Archive release combines diecast metal construction with detailed plastic components and permanent printed markings. The three aircraft are presented together in their original display arrangement beneath a protective presentation cover.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Corgi
Series: Aviation Archive
Model code: 49501
Set Title: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Model One: Avro Lancaster B.Mk I
Lancaster Serial: PA474
Lancaster Markings: KM-B
Lancaster Name: City of Lincoln
Model Two: Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc
Hurricane Serial: LF363
Hurricane Markings: LE-D
Model Three: Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb
Spitfire Serial: AB910
Spitfire Markings: QJ-J
Unit: Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Associated Base: RAF Coningsby, England
Role: Historic preservation, commemoration and flying display
Operator / Country: Royal Air Force / United Kingdom
Scale: 1:144
Number of Models: Three aircraft
Release Period: Circa 1999
Material: Diecast metal with detailed plastic sub-components
Special Features: Three-aircraft Battle of Britain Memorial Flight presentation, authentic PA474/KM-B Lancaster markings, LF363/LE-D Hurricane markings, AB910/QJ-J Spitfire markings, detailed propeller assemblies, individual aircraft supports and protective presentation cover
Model Dimensions
Lancaster Length: Approximately 5.75" or 14.6 cm
Lancaster Wingspan: Approximately 8.5" or 21.6 cm
Hurricane Length: Approximately 2.65" or 6.7 cm
Hurricane Wingspan: Approximately 3.35" or 8.5 cm
Spitfire Length: Approximately 2.5" or 6.3 cm
Spitfire Wingspan: Approximately 3.1" or 7.8 cm