{"product_id":"corgi-aa31914-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-v-raf-no-249-sqn-br323-george-beurling-takali-malta-1942","title":"Corgi AA31914 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk V RAF No.249 Sqn BR323 George Beurling Takali Malta 1942","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of Supermarine Spitfire Mk V BR323, flown by renowned Canadian fighter ace George Beurling during the defence of Malta.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA31914 depicts the aircraft while serving with RAF No. 249 Squadron at RAF Takali during July 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMalta occupied a strategically important position in the central Mediterranean and became one of the most heavily bombed locations of the Second World War. RAF fighter squadrons based on the island faced sustained attacks from German and Italian aircraft while protecting military installations, shipping and the civilian population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge “Screwball” Beurling arrived on Malta during 1942 and quickly established himself as one of the island's most successful fighter pilots. His exceptional eyesight, marksmanship and ability to judge deflection during aerial combat contributed to a remarkable series of victories against Axis aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpitfire BR323 is reproduced in the distinctive desert camouflage associated with aircraft operating from Malta. Sand and blue-grey upper surfaces are combined with contrasting undersides, RAF roundels and the individual aircraft marking “S” applied along the fuselage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Supermarine Spitfire Mk V was introduced as an improved development of the earlier Battle of Britain variants. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine and armed with cannon and machine guns, it became one of the most widely used Spitfire versions during the middle years of the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft served extensively across Britain, Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Its combination of speed, manoeuvrability and firepower made it particularly effective in the demanding air battles fought over Malta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLimited to 2,950 pieces worldwide, this release features substantial diecast construction, finely reproduced camouflage and markings, a detailed cockpit beneath a clear canopy and a rotating propeller. Further details include removable landing gear, wing-mounted radiator components and the original Corgi Aviation Archive presentation stand.\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 AA31914\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supermarine Spitfire Mk V\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial:\u003c\/strong\u003e BR323\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e S\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e George “Screwball” Beurling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Air Force No. 249 Squadron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign \/ Event:\u003c\/strong\u003e Defence of Malta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre \/ Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e RAF Takali, Malta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 1942\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 2,950 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 Authentic BR323 and No. 249 Squadron markings, Malta desert camouflage, detailed cockpit with clear canopy, rotating propeller, removable landing gear, wing-mounted radiator detail and original presentation display stand\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 5\" or 12.7 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\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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall area of paint inconsistency or wear present on the nose, as marked by the red arrow in the photos.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a de-certificated edition and does not come with a certificate of authenticity.\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 overall, with shelf wear present.\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":57742011957630,"sku":null,"price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/corgi-aa31914-172-supermarine-spitfire-mk-v-raf-no249-sqn-br323-george-beurling-takali-malta-1942-5867998.jpg?v=1784903432","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/corgi-aa31914-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-v-raf-no-249-sqn-br323-george-beurling-takali-malta-1942","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}