Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA32204

North American P-51D Mustang Diecast Model

USAAF 352nd FG, 487th FS, Petie 2nd #44-14151, John Meyer, RAF Bodney, England, August 1944

1:72 Scale Length Width

North American P-51D Mustang 5.25" 6.25"


This model is new and has only been exposed for the photos, however the box is pretty rough due to long period of storage

Contents Mint


After flying P-40's and scoring 3 victories while flying the P-47, John Meyer achieved Ace status in the Mustang, flying with 352nd Fighter Group. His first aircraft was Lambie II and then PETIE and it was in this machine that he racked up the majority of his kills. Meyer had the name overpainted with bright orange stripes and the kill markings because he felt the colours to be too bland and that the brighter colours would 'scare the hell out of the damn Germans'. This was PETIE 2nd and after scoring two victories in this he moved on to PETIE 3rd where he scored further victories. He was assigned Deputy Group Commander in 1944 and continued to fly after the was claiming two MiG-15 kills in Korea.


North American P-51D Mustang

Designed to meet an RAF requirement for fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-51 Mustang was first flown on October 26th, 1940. This versatile aircraft was capable of escorting bombers on long-range missions, engaging in dogfights, and dropping down to destroy German targets on the ground. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced, but it was the definitive P-51D that gave the Mustang its classic warbird appearance. Britain and the US both tested the airframe with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the aircraft tremendous performance gains. The Truman Senate War Investigating Committee called the Mustang "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."


Corgi's 1:72 scale P-51 Mustang series includes the early war P-51B and the late war P-51D variants. P-51B releases feature either an early bird-cage style canopy or the "Malcolm-Hood" style canopy and under wing mounted pitot tube. The P-51D's large "bubble-top" canopy allows for easy viewing of a hand-painted pilot figure. A removable engine cowling is included on some releases (see photos), revealing a detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This series includes models with a variety of wing mount drop tanks and ordnance and accurately modeled radiator scoops. When configured for ground display, the wing's structural detail can be seen inside the wheel wells.


Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.

Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.

Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.

Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.

Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".

Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.

Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.

Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.

Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.

Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.