Canadian-Vickers OA-10A Catalina

USN 5th ERS, #44-33915 Miss Pick Up, USAAF

Halesworth, England, 194

Corgi 1:72  AA36113

Operating from its home base at the American station 365 Halesworth in Suffolk in 1945, the Consolidated OA-10A Catalina 44-33915, nicknamed “Miss Pick Up,” was dispatched on an emergency mission to assist another Catalina that had been sent to rescue the crew of a B-24 Liberator that had crashed into the North Sea. The aircraft had got into difficulty after landing on extremely rough seas.

After successfully locating the other Catalina, “Miss Pick Up” flew over the aircraft several times, transmitting its coordinates to other units, before being relieved by other aircraft.

It was then ordered to locate a P-51D Mustang pilot who had reportedly landed off the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog.

Unfortunately, while landing to attempt the rescue, one of the Catalina's engines failed and it was unable to take off again or fly further away from the enemy coast. He therefore dropped anchor to avoid drifting further away.

The next day, the Catalina in distress was attacked by two Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters from Jagdgeschwader 7, with the German jets making two devastating passes against the powerful amphibious aircraft.

Fortunately, a USAAF Mustang squadron drove off the Luftwaffe fighters, but while this saved the crew's lives, the “Miss Pick Up” itself was fatally damaged and quickly sank to the bottom of the North Sea.

Canadian-Vickers OA-10A Catalina

Developed to replace the Martin P3M, the PBY Catalina made its first flight on March 28, 1935. This aircraft is a long-range patrol seaplane, one of the most robust and versatile aircraft in U.S. history. Its long range made it easy to locate and attack enemy transport ships. One of the great advantages of seaplanes is that they do not need a runway. However, later versions of the PBY were equipped with retractable landing gear, allowing them to operate on both land and water. Today, more than seventy years after its first flight, the PBY continues to fly as a tanker aircraft in firefighting operations around the world.

The Corgi Aviation series includes collectible models designed for collectors by collectors.

The models are highly detailed, authentically decorated and made of die-cast metal.

The Corgi Aviation Series offers: 

• Die-cast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Panel lines, antennas, access panels and realistic surface details.
• Markings and stamped plates that will not fade or peel like decals
• Interchangeable landing gear extended / retracted with rotating wheels.
• A display to display the plane "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed and hand-painted characters of pilots and crew members.
• Loads of genuine detachable ammunition
• Some interchangeable features such as speed brakes, open awnings and access panels.
• Some moving parts such as turrets, control surfaces and swivel wings