Corgi Diecast F-5E Lightning 'Rita/Ruth' USAAF 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 1:72 WWII Display Model AA36614, Blue

One of the most crucial elements of the D-Day air campaign was the gathering of detailed reconnaissance photographs of the entire intended invasion area, which included the assessment of previous bombing raid effectiveness and the identification of future targets. In lessons learned during the disastrous Dieppe raid of 1942, planners knew they had to have the very latest intelligence information in order to prepare for invasion, disrupting enemy communications and destroying defensive strongholds overlooking the invasion beaches. One of the most effective aircraft in securing this information was the Lockheed F-5E-2 Lightning, the photographic reconnaissance version of the distinctive twin boom P-38J variant. Undergoing modification at squadron level, these aircraft featured d camera windows for more effective information gathering, with this bigger window featuring a teardrop fairing to minimize the impact of addition drag. Lightning 43-28619 was unusual in that it made a feature of this d eye in the sky by the artistic addition of sharks teeth, with the camera windows serving as eyes for the flying beast. Wearing its overall PRU blue color scheme, nose artwork and D-Day identification markings, this must have been one of the most distinctive aircraft in the skies above the Normandy beaches, even though its mission profile was for the Lightning to remain undetected. On 26th November 1944, this aircraft was intercepted and down by a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter flown by Luftwaffe ace Hermann Buchner, with its unfortunate pilot becoming a prisoner of war.

• Corgi is a premier line of Die cast products that feature aircraft, trucks, tanks emergency vehicles and buses that has been producing models for over 50 years..
• The Aviation Archive is a range of high quality detailed die-cast model aircraft. Each model comes complete with an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity detailing The significant history of each aircraft..
• Pose model in flight on display stand included with the model or stationary with the optional undercarriage down..
• This 1: 72nd scale WWII airplane includes detailed crew figures) and rotatable propellers..
• A great gift for a History buff and perfect to display on a shelf or desk..