Handley Page Halifax B.Mk V

RCAF No.427 Sqn, DK186 London's Revenge, RAF Leaming, UK

Corgi AA37210

With Bomber Command operations intensifying considerably towards the latter end of the Second World War, attempts were made to both boost the morale of aircrews engaged in this dangerous work and raise the profile of the herculean effort they were contributing towards eventual Allied victory. One such attempt involved the men and machines of No.427 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force, who christened the unit 'The Lion Squadron', and invited the film company Metro Goldwyn Mayer to adopt them – their famous lion was shown at the beginning of their movies. In a high profile event, which was covered by a national film unit, the managing director of MGM (UK) Mr Samuel Eckman Jr. accepted the invitation and presented the squadron with an impressive bronze lion for luck, also giving smaller versions of the lion to all members of the unit's air and ground staff, along with the offer of free entry into MGM studios. For the crews, the most interesting aspect of the day was a draw to see which MGM star individual crews would draw, with their name to be carried on the side of their bomber. Handley Page Halifax Mk.V DK186 / ZL-L was already named 'London's Revenge', but was further embellished with distinctive flying lion artwork (based on the MGM logo), and subsequently drew the most sought after star, Lana Turner – 'L for Lana', whose name they proudly took to war.

Handley Page Halifax B.Mk V
Designed to meet an Air Ministry specification for a twin-engined "world-wide use" medium bomber, the Handley Page Halifax first flew on September 24, 1939. This aircraft was one of the first British bomber designs to use four engines. During WWII, it flew 82,773 operations for the RAF Bomber Command, dropping 224,207 tons of bombs. It also served as a glider tug and in special operations missions such as parachute drops of arms and agents over occupied Europe. Under the RAF Coastal Command, the aircraft served in reconnaissance and meteorological roles, and in anti-submarine warfare. After the war, Halifaxes went on to serve as freighters for British airlines.

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.