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Corgi AA37701 1:48 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a RFC No.61 Sqn B658 C.A. Lewis England 1918

Duties & Taxes Prepaid Where Available
30-Day Returns

Preowned - Near Mint (9/10)
Limited edition 3310 worldwide
Out of stock
Dispatch by Mon, Oct 19
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Description

A striking 1:48 scale diecast representation of a Royal Flying Corps S.E.5a Home Defence fighter operating over England during the final year of the First World War. Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA37701 depicts Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a B658 of RFC No. 61 Squadron, associated with C.A. Lewis during 1918.

No. 61 Squadron was formed as a Home Defence unit and was tasked with protecting Britain against enemy air raids. Its pilots operated during a period when German bombers and airships posed a continuing threat to British towns, industrial centres and military installations. The squadron's S.E.5a fighters were required to intercept hostile aircraft, often under difficult conditions and with limited assistance from the navigation and detection equipment available at the time.

Aircraft B658 is reproduced in an especially distinctive finish, with a complex blue and brown diamond-patterned camouflage scheme covering much of the upper wing, fuselage and tail surfaces. The aircraft also carries prominent RFC roundels, its individual serial number and the red, white and blue rudder markings commonly associated with British military aircraft of the period.

Designed by Henry Folland and John Kenworthy, the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was developed as a stable and effective single-seat fighter. Following the introduction of the more powerful S.E.5a, the aircraft earned a strong reputation for speed, strength and predictable handling. Unlike some more agile but less stable contemporaries, the S.E.5a provided an effective gun platform and was particularly well suited to diving attacks and high-altitude combat.

Limited to 3,310 pieces worldwide, this substantial 1:48 scale release is particularly appealing to collectors of First World War aviation and Royal Flying Corps aircraft. The model features simulated fabric-covered surfaces, extensive hand-applied rigging and separately rendered exhaust pipes. Further detailing includes a cockpit pilot figure, photo-etched gun sight, telescopic Aldis sight, wing-mounted Lewis gun with Foster mounting, four-bladed propeller, radiator shutters and the original Corgi Aviation Archive presentation stand.


Fact Sheet

Brand: Corgi

Series: Aviation Archive Collector Series

Model code: AA37701

Aircraft: Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a

Serial: B658

Pilot: C.A. Lewis

Unit: Royal Flying Corps No. 61 Squadron

Role: Home Defence night fighter

Theatre / Base: England

Date/Period: 1918

Operator / Country: Royal Flying Corps / United Kingdom

Scale: 1:48

Limited Edition Size: 3,310 pieces worldwide

Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components

Special Features: Limited edition release, distinctive blue and brown diamond camouflage, simulated fabric-covered surfaces, extensive hand-applied rigging, detailed cockpit with pilot figure, photo-etched gun sight, telescopic Aldis sight, Lewis gun with Foster mounting, separately rendered exhaust pipes, four-bladed propeller, radiator shutter detailing and original presentation display stand


Model Dimensions

Length: 5.25" or 13.3 cm

Width (Wingspan): 6.75" or 17.1 cm

Condition

Model Condition - Near Mint (9/10)

  • May have had a reattached wing wire as there is more glue at the base compared to the others.

Box condition - Mint (10/10)


Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.

Any 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.

Condition

This model has sold. Its condition details have been removed because they described the specific item that was available. If another example becomes available, it will be inspected and listed with its own condition details and photographs.

Grading

Grading Criteria

Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.


Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.


Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.


Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.


Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.


Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.


Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.


Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.


If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.

For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.

Shipping

Dispatch & Tracking

Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed. We do not dispatch orders on the same day.

If you would like us to hold your order for a later dispatch date, please add a note in the cart before proceeding to checkout, or contact us directly as soon as possible.

Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel on our 'Track Your Order' page.


UK Delivery

  • Tracked 48 — £4.20: Usually 2–3 working days. Available on orders under £100.

  • Tracked 24 — £5.20: Aims for the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £100 or more.

  • Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50: Guaranteed by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £200 or more.


International Delivery

We ship worldwide from the UK using tracked services, with parcels insured up to the full order value.

  • Europe: Usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.

  • Rest of the world: Usually 6–7 business days after dispatch.

 

Add your models to the cart and enter your address to see available services and prices. Postage is combined by weight when you purchase multiple models.

If you place separate orders before they have been dispatched, we will combine them where they can be packed safely together and refund any excess postage paid. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the orders.


Import Duties & Taxes

For supported destinations, duties and taxes are shown and collected at checkout. These orders are sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due on delivery.

Duty-paid delivery is available where shown at checkout for the United States, Norway, Switzerland and selected European destinations. See our Shipping Policy for the full destination list.

If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, your order is sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). You may need to pay import charges or carrier handling fees before delivery.


We wrap each model box in bubble wrap and use paper void fill inside a sturdy, double-walled shipping box. We may reuse boxes and bubble wrap where suitable, while ensuring your order is protected during transit.

Returns

Returns

You can return an item within 30 days of delivery, provided it is in the same condition as when you received it.

Returns are free for UK customers. Customers outside the UK are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe each item carefully so you can buy with confidence.

We inspect returned items before issuing a refund. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.

To start a return, email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under About & Help in the top menu.

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Description

A striking 1:48 scale diecast representation of a Royal Flying Corps S.E.5a Home Defence fighter operating over England during the final year of the First World War. Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA37701 depicts Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a B658 of RFC No. 61 Squadron, associated with C.A. Lewis during 1918.

No. 61 Squadron was formed as a Home Defence unit and was tasked with protecting Britain against enemy air raids. Its pilots operated during a period when German bombers and airships posed a continuing threat to British towns, industrial centres and military installations. The squadron's S.E.5a fighters were required to intercept hostile aircraft, often under difficult conditions and with limited assistance from the navigation and detection equipment available at the time.

Aircraft B658 is reproduced in an especially distinctive finish, with a complex blue and brown diamond-patterned camouflage scheme covering much of the upper wing, fuselage and tail surfaces. The aircraft also carries prominent RFC roundels, its individual serial number and the red, white and blue rudder markings commonly associated with British military aircraft of the period.

Designed by Henry Folland and John Kenworthy, the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was developed as a stable and effective single-seat fighter. Following the introduction of the more powerful S.E.5a, the aircraft earned a strong reputation for speed, strength and predictable handling. Unlike some more agile but less stable contemporaries, the S.E.5a provided an effective gun platform and was particularly well suited to diving attacks and high-altitude combat.

Limited to 3,310 pieces worldwide, this substantial 1:48 scale release is particularly appealing to collectors of First World War aviation and Royal Flying Corps aircraft. The model features simulated fabric-covered surfaces, extensive hand-applied rigging and separately rendered exhaust pipes. Further detailing includes a cockpit pilot figure, photo-etched gun sight, telescopic Aldis sight, wing-mounted Lewis gun with Foster mounting, four-bladed propeller, radiator shutters and the original Corgi Aviation Archive presentation stand.


Fact Sheet

Brand: Corgi

Series: Aviation Archive Collector Series

Model code: AA37701

Aircraft: Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a

Serial: B658

Pilot: C.A. Lewis

Unit: Royal Flying Corps No. 61 Squadron

Role: Home Defence night fighter

Theatre / Base: England

Date/Period: 1918

Operator / Country: Royal Flying Corps / United Kingdom

Scale: 1:48

Limited Edition Size: 3,310 pieces worldwide

Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components

Special Features: Limited edition release, distinctive blue and brown diamond camouflage, simulated fabric-covered surfaces, extensive hand-applied rigging, detailed cockpit with pilot figure, photo-etched gun sight, telescopic Aldis sight, Lewis gun with Foster mounting, separately rendered exhaust pipes, four-bladed propeller, radiator shutter detailing and original presentation display stand


Model Dimensions

Length: 5.25" or 13.3 cm

Width (Wingspan): 6.75" or 17.1 cm

Condition

Model Condition - Near Mint (9/10)

  • May have had a reattached wing wire as there is more glue at the base compared to the others.

Box condition - Mint (10/10)


Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.

Any 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.

Condition

This model has sold. Its condition details have been removed because they described the specific item that was available. If another example becomes available, it will be inspected and listed with its own condition details and photographs.

Grading

Grading Criteria

Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.


Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.


Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.


Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.


Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.


Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.


Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.


Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.


If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.

For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.

Shipping

Dispatch & Tracking

Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed. We do not dispatch orders on the same day.

If you would like us to hold your order for a later dispatch date, please add a note in the cart before proceeding to checkout, or contact us directly as soon as possible.

Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel on our 'Track Your Order' page.


UK Delivery

  • Tracked 48 — £4.20: Usually 2–3 working days. Available on orders under £100.

  • Tracked 24 — £5.20: Aims for the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £100 or more.

  • Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50: Guaranteed by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £200 or more.


International Delivery

We ship worldwide from the UK using tracked services, with parcels insured up to the full order value.

  • Europe: Usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.

  • Rest of the world: Usually 6–7 business days after dispatch.

 

Add your models to the cart and enter your address to see available services and prices. Postage is combined by weight when you purchase multiple models.

If you place separate orders before they have been dispatched, we will combine them where they can be packed safely together and refund any excess postage paid. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the orders.


Import Duties & Taxes

For supported destinations, duties and taxes are shown and collected at checkout. These orders are sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due on delivery.

Duty-paid delivery is available where shown at checkout for the United States, Norway, Switzerland and selected European destinations. See our Shipping Policy for the full destination list.

If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, your order is sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). You may need to pay import charges or carrier handling fees before delivery.


We wrap each model box in bubble wrap and use paper void fill inside a sturdy, double-walled shipping box. We may reuse boxes and bubble wrap where suitable, while ensuring your order is protected during transit.

Returns

Returns

You can return an item within 30 days of delivery, provided it is in the same condition as when you received it.

Returns are free for UK customers. Customers outside the UK are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe each item carefully so you can buy with confidence.

We inspect returned items before issuing a refund. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.

To start a return, email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under About & Help in the top menu.