Corgi Hurricane IIC, Z3897 /JX-N, Bill McConnell 1 Sqn 1941(1:72)

Hurricane IIC, Z3897 /JX-N, Bill McConnell 1 Squadron 1941(1:72)   This exceptional CORGI Aviation Archive 1:72 scale diecast model showcases the legendary Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC, the perfect addition for any dedicated aviation collector.  Ready to display straight from the box, this premium die-cast replica captures the historic Z3897/JX-N in authentic detail, complete with its distinctive nose artwork and accurate green/grey camouflage scheme.  Featuring a rotatable propeller and included display stand, this model celebrates one of the RAF's most versatile fighter aircraft of the Second World War.   Key Features: Ready to display - no assembly required Premium 1:72 scale diecast construction Rotatable propeller for authentic detail Historically accurate markings and paint scheme Includes display stand History: The Hawker Hurricane earned its legendary status during the Battle of Britain, destroying more enemy aircraft than all of Britain's other defences combined. By the summer of 1940, even as Hurricanes fought to stem the Luftwaffe tide, engineers were developing a major upgrade. The Hurricane Mk.II arrived with an uprated Merlin engine, but its thick, straight wing design meant it would find its true calling beyond traditional dogfighting roles. The Hurricane IIc variant, armed with four devastating 20mm Hispano cannons, proved highly effective in coastal anti-shipping raids and low-altitude 'Rhubarb' strikes into occupied Europe. Its powerful armament excelled against ground targets, whilst the aircraft also found success as a nightfighter and 'Hurribomber' in North Africa's desert campaigns. This particular aircraft, Z3897, gained fame through a Pathé newsreel featuring mock combat against a captured Junkers Ju88, showcasing the Hurricane's impressive manoeuvrability. The aircraft was the personal mount of Belfast-born William W. McConnell, who served with RAF No.1 Squadron from May 1941 through March 1942, becoming a noted ground attack specialist.  His Hurricane wore distinctive nose artwork that made it instantly recognisable, a testament to the personal connection between pilot and machine during those crucial wartime years.  

Corgi Vauxhall Astra Mk2 GTE 16V, Rembrandt Silver (1:43)

Vauxhall Astra Mk2 GTE 16V, Rembrandt Silver (1:43) Product Information: The GTE 16V modelled was originally registered as a ‘Vauxhall Fleet Management’ car with Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Kimpton Road, Luton, Bedfordshire on 29th November 1990. It was finished in Rembrandt Silver, one of the more unusual colours offered.  Like all 16V GTE’s, it featured GM’s futuristic Liquid Crystal Display dashboard so drivers could see the revs rapidly rising on the car’s magnificent 2-litre DOHC 16-valve ‘red top’ engine, a characterful rev-hungry unit that gave the GTE its appealingly raucous demeanour.  It went on to owners based in Kent, Dorset, County Durham, and Bedfordshire, before being purchased by Bedfordshire-based enthusiast, Lee Proctor, a former Vauxhall employee and subsequent car bodyshop proprietor, in late March 2013. The car had covered 125,000 miles and was complete, but in poor condition. It was bought by Lee as a restoration project, and he soon embarked on a three-year nut-and-bolt structural and mechanical rebuild to concours standard, in which he used as many new old-stock original parts as possible.  He did most of the work himself, bringing the car back to original specification except for the fitting of an ‘Astra Champion’ leather interior, which he had retrimmed. Lee enjoyed driving and showing the finished car, but in November 2020 he sold it to fellow enthusiast and Mk2 Astra Owners Club member, Derbyshire-based Clive Emery.  He has added some original equipment finishing touches and enjoys using it to attend classic car events. This die-cast model represents this car in its restored condition, making it a delightful addition to your Vanguards collection.

Corgi Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000, Carnival Red (1:43)

Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000, Carnival Red -1:43 This die-cast model is based on one of the oldest surviving UK-market examples of an RS2000, which was manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany, in December 1975. The first owner was Mike Collins, then RAF personnel, based at RAF Dishforth, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. He purchased it from the Ford RS dealership, Polar Service Garage, Barnsley on 12th January 1976, then registered it the following day.  It had ten further owners before the current custodian, well known North Wales-based Ford enthusiast Aled Hopwood, purchased it on 7th June 1996. He wasn’t initially aware of its rarity but was captivated by it and has amassed a comprehensive history file containing all the previous MOTs and tax discs, plus a list of previous owners. The car had covered 73,000 miles and was in excellent condition, and Aled enjoyed using it on several European tours, as well as the North Wales Snowdonia Tours and Lakes Tours. It was featured extensively in the book ‘Factory-Original Sporting Mk2 Escorts’, by Dan Williamson, with many detailed photographs of the car by Simon Clay being included in the RS2000 chapter. It has also appeared in Classic Ford Magazine.  In the summer of 2021, Aled embarked on a nut-and-bolt restoration to as-new condition. He returned the underside to its original dove grey paint before having it fully resprayed, although all the original panels and Beta Cloth interior were retained.  Aled proudly showed the finished car at the 2021 NEC Classic Motor Show.

Corgi Thunderbirds F.A.B. Collection - Thunderbird 4

Thunderbirds F.A.B. Collection - Thunderbird 4 A newly tooled design, the CORGI Thunderbird 4 die-cast model is a heavily weighted release and represents the first time we’ve offered the iconic submarine as a solo model. Pull down the light bar to fire twin torpedoes from the nose-mounted launcher. Thunderbird 4, piloted by aquanaut Gordon Tracy, is a 30-foot-long underwater and sea surface craft and one of the fastest craft on or under the sea. Although much smaller than the other Thunderbirds vehicles and with a limited range, TB4 plays a vital role in any underwater rescue operations. Thunderbird 4 is usually carried to and from the danger zone aboard Pod 4, one of the six pods carried by Thunderbird 2. If required, however, the Thunderbirds International Rescue submarine has hover jets fitted for travelling short distances across land to reach the water under its own power. A highly trained aquanaut with stints in the Submarine Service and the World Aquanaut Security Patrol under his belt, Gordon Tracy is an expert oceanographer. He is also the designer of a unique underwater breathing apparatus, which he has modified and improved for International Rescue. Good-natured and high-spirited, he possesses a strength and tenacity that make him a respected leader and commander. He is also one of the world’s fastest freestyle swimmers and is a past Olympic champion with the butterfly stroke.

Corgi Ford Focus Mk3 RS Heritage Edition, Deep Orange (1:43)

Ford Focus Mk3 RS Heritage Edition, Deep Orange If you remember the announcement of the Deep Orange Ford Focus Mk3, bringing the era of the Mk3 to a close, then you'll love our die-cast replica model. This 1:43 design is slightly less exclusive than the original car, as we've made a few more than 50, but it can still occupy a special place on your collector's shelf. This die-cast model is a limited edition of 2,200. - 1:43 Scale

Corgi Ford Escort Mk2 1300 Sport - Jupiter Red (1:43)

Ford Escort Mk2 1300 Sport - Jupiter Red  Another iconic Ford Escort for your Vanguards collection, but this Mk2 1300 Sport model is in a stunning shade of Jupiter Red. Based on a car that is currently undergoing restoration, our die-cast model shows how it will look when complete. If your collection is missing this type of car, you need to add this 1:43 scale version now. This die-cast model is a limited edition of 1,200. - 1:43 Scale

Corgi Ford Escort Mk4 XR3i, Black

Ford Escort Mk4 XR3i, Black Includes: - Diecast model - Headlight and front detailing - Fine Alloy and tyre parts - Interior leather detail - Display stand  - Collectors Card - 1:43 Scale

Corgi Rover 75 V6 Contemporary SE, Ski Blue (1:43)

Rover 75 V6 Contemporary SE, Ski Blue Includes: - Detailed diecast model - Interior detailing - Front Grill detail - Rear detailing - Display stand - Collectors Card - 1:43 Scale Vehicle information: When the development of project R40, as the Rover 75 was known internally, began in earnest at Longbridge, the mood was optimistic because, to joint-venture partner Honda’s surprise, BMW had purchased the company in February 1994. They injected the development cash the business had hitherto lacked. The resulting car was launched at the Birmingham Motor Show on October 20th, 1998 and was praised for its elegant exterior design by stylist Richard Woolley and very British interior ambience. Production commenced at Cowley, Oxfordshire, but when BMW sold the company in May 2000 it was moved to Longbridge. The 75 remained in production until 2005 by which time 211,175 had been produced. The automatic 2.5-litre V6 Rover 75 modelled was sold new by MG-Rover dealers Vantage-Preston and was first registered in July 2005, just three months after the Longbridge-based company went into administration.  It features the later-revised bumpers, grille and single-light facelifted nose treatment launched in 2004, which gave the 75 a more modern look, although it cleverly used the same lamp base units with a new single lens on top. Since November 2022, it has been owned by Greater Manchester-based Rover 75 enthusiast Tim Hubbard, who bought it because it showed a genuine 87,000 miles and was in very good overall condition. The 75 and its MG-badged ZT cousin have now acquired a strong following in the classic car world and values are increasing.

Corgi Supermarine Spitfire T.9 TE308 (G-AWGB) Finished as A58-606 'Gre

Supermarine Spitfire T.9 TE308 (G-AWGB) Finished as A58-606 'Grey Nurse' Sharkmouth, operated by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Includes - Detailed diecast aircraft  - Cockpit interior and pilot detail - Engine exhaust and shark mouth detailing - Rotating prop - Optional Undercarriage (up or down positions) - Display stand - Collectors Card - 1:72 Scale   Aircraft information and history: As one of the most successful fighter aircraft of the Second World War and one which was produced in huge numbers, it can be a little surprising to learn that the Supermarine Spitfire was not produced in a two seat training variant during the war, meaning that pilots converting to this awesome machine would be making their first flight in the Spitfire as their first solo. The Vickers Supermarine company did propose the development of a two seat variant of the Spitfire to Air Ministry officials as far back as 1941, but as there was no official support for the project at the time, they simply returned to further development of single engined fighters. Once the war had ended, stories of unofficially modified two seat Spitfire projects started to circulate, with the ones produced by the Soviet Air Force being perhaps the most significant. Britain would eventually supply Russia with more than 1000 Spitfires and it was discovered that they actually converted several Spitfires to two seat configuration, however, rather than moving the front cockpit slightly forward as Vickers Supermarine would later do, the Russians elected to simply add a second cockpit behind the existing one, using a narrower section of the fuselage. Making these aircraft extremely distinctive, this also must have also created a rather claustrophobic working environment for the second pilot. With this information in hand, Vickers Supermarine revived their interest in producing a two seat Spitfire as a private venture and in 1946, selected a Spitfire Mk.VIII airframe as their donor aircraft. In fact, one of the most interesting facts about the two seat Spitfire variant is that there is no such thing as a new-build Spitfire T.9 trainer, because every single example was originally manufactured as a single seat fighter. Something of a post war phenomenon, the two seat Spitfire did attract several military operators over the years, including the Irish Air Corps, however, it is during the warbird restoration era and more specifically over the past two decades that the popularity of ‘Spitfires made for two’ has really become established. As arguably the most famous aircraft of all time, the ability to boast that you had flown in a Spitfire used to be the preserve of talented and extremely fortunate pilots, however, as they now had the opportunity to carry a passenger, the chance to fly in a Spitfire was now open to anyone and there has been no end of people desperate to have a Spitfire flying experience. Nowadays, offering Spitfire experience flights has become an extremely lucrative business, to a point where only a few years ago, almost every Spitfire under restoration was being converted to T.9 or two seat Spitfire standard. These aircraft are now much loved in their own right, regularly appearing at Airshows, in addition to operating in all but the poorest weather conditions, taking its latest lucky passenger on their Spitfire experience flight. These Spitfires made for two are maintaining and even enhancing the legacy of this magnificent aeroplane, bringing R.J Mitchell’s classic fighter to the attention of a new generation of Spitfire aficionados. Supermarine Spitfire TE307 was originally constructed as a Mk.IXe fighter variant in 1945, but due the end of the war in Europe, was immediately placed in storage, where she would remain for the next five years. She was then selected as a conversion airframe to T.9 trainer standard, initially earmarked for service with the Egyptian Air Force, but when this sale fell through, embarked on a service career flying with the Irish Air Corps. Following retirement and disposal, she would go on to be used during the filming of the famous move 'The Battle of Britain', before moving into private ownership and periods spent with different owners in France, Canada and the US over the next few decades. She would later be purchased by Warbird Experiences at Biggin Hill and returned to British skies at that time wearing the famous standard RAF wartime day fighter scheme, however, she was about to take on a very different persona. In a development which saw this aircraft become one of the most distinctive airworthy Spitfires in the world today, TE307 was given a smart new scheme in honour of the fighters flown by the men of No.457 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force during WWII. With each of their aircraft benefitting from the application of sinister looking shark mouths under the engine cowling, the unit was known as the 'Grey Nurse' Squadron and Spitfire TE307 now carries the registration A58-606 and the codes ZP-W in honour of Squadron Leader Bruce Watson, who flew with this unit. If you would like to fly in one of the most distinctive Spitfires in the world today, you need to get in touch with our friends at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar and join the long queue of people hoping to have this unique aviation experience.