{"product_id":"corgi-aa29101-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ix-raf-no-127-wing-mk329-je-j-johnnie-johnson-beer-runs-france-1944","title":"Corgi AA29101 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX RAF No.127 Wing MK329 JE-J Johnnie Johnson Beer Runs France 1944","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MK329, associated with renowned Royal Air Force fighter ace James “Johnnie” Johnson during the summer of 1944.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA29101 depicts the aircraft carrying the familiar “JE-J” markings of RAF No. 127 (Canadian) Wing while operating from St. Croix-sur-Mer in Normandy, France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohnnie Johnson was one of the Royal Air Force's most successful fighter pilots and became closely associated with the Supermarine Spitfire throughout his wartime career. By the time of the Allied landings in Normandy, he was commanding No. 127 Wing, a formation largely composed of Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons supporting the advance across north-western Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpitfire MK329 carried full black and white D-Day identification stripes across the wings and rear fuselage. These highly visible markings were applied to Allied aircraft before Operation Overlord to reduce the risk of friendly fire during the enormous concentration of aircraft operating over the invasion area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft is also associated with the informal “Beer Runs” undertaken shortly after the Normandy landings. Spitfires returning to forward airfields in France could carry beer for ground crews using adapted external tanks or other improvised arrangements. MK329 is represented carrying an unusual external load beneath the wings, reflecting this memorable aspect of wartime aviation life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe precise operational history of MK329 is unusual, as the aircraft appears to have been assembled from components originating from more than one Spitfire. Johnson later described it as something of a hybrid airframe and referred to it as “Junior”, distinguishing it from his more familiar combat aircraft carrying similar markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped to counter increasingly capable German fighters, the Spitfire Mk IX combined the celebrated elliptical-wing airframe with a more powerful two-stage supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It became one of the most important wartime Spitfire variants and served extensively in fighter, escort and ground-support operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLimited to 2,100 pieces worldwide, this release is particularly appealing to collectors of D-Day aircraft, Johnnie Johnson subjects and Royal Canadian Air Force history. The model features heavyweight diecast construction, authentic invasion stripes, a detailed cockpit beneath a clear canopy, rotating propeller, unusual underwing external load and the original Corgi Aviation Archive presentation stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\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 AA29101\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial:\u003c\/strong\u003e MK329\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e JE-J\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Junior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wing Commander James “Johnnie” Johnson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Air Force No. 127 (Canadian) Wing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign \/ Event:\u003c\/strong\u003e Normandy campaign \/ Beer Runs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre \/ Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e St. Croix-sur-Mer, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1944\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator \/ Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Air Force \/ United Kingdom\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 2,100 pieces worldwide\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 JE-J markings, full D-Day invasion stripes, unusual Beer Runs underwing load, detailed cockpit with clear canopy, rotating propeller and original presentation display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.25\" or 13.3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.25\" or 15.9 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - New (10\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUndisplayed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Mint (10\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo notable defects.\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","brand":"Corgi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57710897693054,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/corgi-aa29101-172-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ix-raf-no127-wing-mk329-je-j-johnnie-johnson-beer-runs-france-1944-3715116.jpg?v=1784737640","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/corgi-aa29101-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ix-raf-no-127-wing-mk329-je-j-johnnie-johnson-beer-runs-france-1944","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}