{"product_id":"corgi-aa36104-1-72-consolidated-pby-5a-catalina-black-cat-white-69-william-pfleeger-usn-vp-34-new-guinea-1944","title":"Corgi AA36104 1:72 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina Black Cat White 69 William Pfleeger USN VP-34 New Guinea 1944","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA striking and highly collectable 1:72 scale diecast representation of Consolidated PBY Catalina “Black Cat” White 69, associated with Lieutenant (jg) William Pfleeger of United States Navy Patrol Squadron VP-34 during operations around New Guinea in 1944.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA36104 recreates one of the distinctive black-painted Catalinas used for night operations across the Pacific and was limited to 2,310 pieces worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVP-34 was one of the United States Navy patrol squadrons which became known as the “Black Cats” during the Second World War. The nickname originated from the flat-black finish applied to their Catalinas and the nocturnal missions which became a speciality of these aircraft and their crews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe squadron deployed to Samarai, off the eastern tip of New Guinea, during December 1943 and operated throughout the region during 1944. Black Cat crews undertook demanding long-range night sorties against Japanese shipping, barges, shore installations and other targets while also carrying out reconnaissance and air-sea rescue duties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite 69 is associated with Lieutenant (jg) William Pfleeger and carries the almost entirely black finish characteristic of these night-fighting Catalinas. The restrained camouflage dramatically contrasts with the white US national insignia and tactical markings, producing one of the most distinctive schemes applied to the famous PBY.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePfleeger and his Catalina are also associated with a notable rescue during 1944, when three survivors were recovered from a B-24 Liberator which had ditched while returning from a raid against Truk. Such missions demonstrated the versatility of Catalina crews, who could transition between offensive strikes, reconnaissance and life-saving rescue operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTruk was one of Japan's most important naval bases in the Central Pacific and was frequently described by Allied personnel as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”. Attacks against the base formed part of the continuing Allied effort to weaken Japanese naval and air power while advancing towards the Philippines and the Japanese home islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Consolidated PBY Catalina first flew in 1935 and became one of the most successful maritime patrol aircraft of the Second World War. Its exceptional endurance, broad parasol wing and ability to operate from water made it particularly valuable across the enormous distances of the Pacific Theatre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCatalinas undertook maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, night attack, transport and search-and-rescue operations. Their ability to remain airborne for extended periods and land close to survivors made them particularly effective in the air-sea rescue role, where many downed Allied airmen owed their lives to Catalina crews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAA36104 is commonly catalogued by Corgi specialist references as a PBY-5A Catalina, although some surviving dealer catalogues identify the release as a PBY-5. This listing retains the PBY-5A designation most commonly associated with the Corgi release while noting the catalogue variation for collector accuracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis substantial Aviation Archive model features extensive diecast construction, the Catalina's enormous high-mounted wing, detailed observation blisters, cockpit glazing, rotating propellers and finely reproduced surface detailing. Its dramatic Black Cat finish, White 69 markings and low production run make AA36104 a particularly distinctive Pacific War release.\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\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Code\/MPN:\u003c\/strong\u003e AA36104\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consolidated PBY Catalina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorgi Catalogue Variant:\u003c\/strong\u003e PBY-5A Catalina\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some surviving dealer references alternatively list AA36104 as a PBY-5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e White 69\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Name \/ Scheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Cat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Pilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lieutenant (jg) William Pfleeger\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit\/Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e US Navy VP-34 “Black Cats”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fleet Air Wing 17\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Guinea \/ South-West Pacific\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e Samarai, New Guinea\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear\/Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1944\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator\/Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Navy \/ United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict:\u003c\/strong\u003e Second World War\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pacific Theatre\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRole:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maritime Patrol \/ Night Attack \/ Reconnaissance \/ Air-Sea Rescue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Mission:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rescue of three B-24 survivors returning from a raid on Truk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimited Edition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2,310 pieces worldwide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with detailed plastic sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Distinctive flat-black Black Cat finish, authentic White 69 markings, large observation blisters, detailed cockpit glazing, rotating twin propellers, extensive surface detailing and original presentation display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10.75\" or 27.3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 17.25\" or 43.8 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - New\/Mint (10\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe model has not been displayed previously.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe accessories remain sealed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe model comes complete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Excellent (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe box is in excellent condition for its age, with some 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","brand":"Corgi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57861428707710,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_6215.jpg?v=1786978418","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/corgi-aa36104-1-72-consolidated-pby-5a-catalina-black-cat-white-69-william-pfleeger-usn-vp-34-new-guinea-1944","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}