Consolidated B-24D LIBERATOR Wongo Wongo Air Force 1 AF 0157 1/72

Air Force 1  AF1-0157  1/72

Consolidated  B-24D LIBERATOR  

USAAF 376th BG, 512rd BS, #42-40563 Wongo Wongo, Ploesti, Romania, Operation Tidal Wave August 1943

On August 1, 1943, the Allies launched Operation Tidal Wave - a strategic bombing mission on the territory occupied by the Nazis. A total of 176 B-24 Liberators attacked oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania, with an impressive 167 (or 94%) of them reaching their target! Unfortunately, 54 of these planes were lost during Ploesti, and three others were lost at sea. A devastating loss included a B-24D nicknamed "Wongo Wongo", which lost control and crashed into the Mediterranean en route to oil refineries, killing the 10 crew - brave members of the 512th Bomber Squadron. In recognition of the valiant efforts of the airmen, a number of decorations were awarded, including five medals of honor and a presidential citation to the five USAAF bomber groups involved: 44th, 93rd and 389th of the 8th Air Force and 98th and 376th of 9th Aviation.

Designed to meet the needs of a heavy US Army Air Corps bomber, the B-24 Liberator was flown for the first time on December 29, 1939. The USAAC initially asked Consolidated to build the B-17 under licensed, but the company preferred a more modern design with greater speed, greater range and heavier bomb load. Despite these advantages, the B-24 was more difficult to fly, had poor flying characteristics and was much more vulnerable to combat damage, which meant it never became the preferred bomber of American crews. However, it is more than functional, especially for long-range missions.

Air Force 1 (Series 2) die-cast aircraft include:

Die-cast metal construction with some plastic components.
Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
Authentic markings and plate details.
Metal presence stand to display the plane "in flight".
Interchangeable elongated / retractable landing gear with rotating wheels