Boeing CH-47C Chinook

Fuerza Aerea Argentina, AE-520, Falkland Islands 1982

Corgi 1:72 AA34217

As the South Atlantic erupted into conflict during April 1982, the need to effectively transport and supply troops in the battle zone was brought starkly into focus. The most effective aircraft for this task during the Falkland air war was the mighty Boeing CH-47 Chinook, with both British and Argentinean forces deploying examples of these helicopters to theatre, but with all but one of the British machines destroyed during the Exocet missile attack on the Atlantic Conveyor, the ship on which they were being transported. Once Argentinean forces had landed and secured the Islands, the two serviceable Chinooks they had available at that time were flown in to operate from Stanley Airport - AE-521 would be the harder working of the two aircraft, until it was destroyed on the ground by cannon fire from a Harrier jet, whilst AE-520, the aircraft modelled here, was apparently beset with persistent engine problems and used rarely. Following the surrender of Argentinean forces, Chinook AE-520 was discovered relatively intact on land behind the Governor's residence and was later stripped of parts and sent back to the UK. Interestingly, the RAF's famous "Bravo November" Chinook which was the only British CH-47 to take part in the conflict, suffered damage to its port cockpit door during operational use and a replacement was fitted using one taken from the captured Argentinean machine.Later transported to RNAY Fleetlands in Hampshire, the captured Chinook was given a UK serial number and used as a ground instructional airframe, but that was not to be the final chapter in this fascinating story. Royal Air Force Chinook HC.2 ZA704 sustained significant damage conducting a run-on landing whilst on exercise, with its rear rotors striking the ground and ripping off the aft transmission and rear rotor stack. Rather than scrap the aircraft, it was sent to Fleetlands, where engineers repaired ZA704 using components from the captured former Argentinean Chinook AE-520. With the aircraft eventually returning to squadron service, it is fascinating to think that parts from this captured Argentinean Falklands War Chinook continued flying on two serving RAF machines long after the end of the conflict.

Boeing CH-47C Chinook

Designed as a turbine-powered replacement for the CH-37 Mojave, the CH-47 was first flown on September 21st, 1961. This iconic helicopter has had a long service history, seeing action in many different wars, from Vietnam to Afghanistan. The Chinook is the U.S. Army's heaviest-lifting helicopter, primarily serving as a troop transporter, with secondary roles including artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply. It has a crew of three and can move 55 combat-ready troops. Its wide-loading ramp can be opened in-flight for paratroopers, and three cargo hooks can extend through a floor hatch, which allows the Chinook to be used as a flying crane.

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.