UPDATE 7-20-2011--No delivery date available and rumors of severe allocations for this plane. We'll fill as many Preorders as possible once the aircraft finally arrives--hopefully all of them.

1:32 scale premium diecast aircraft from the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series. AA34604 de Havilland Mosquito FB.Mk VI, RAF No.487 (New Zealand) Sqn , F for Freddie, Percy Pickard, Raid on Amiens Prison, Operation Jericho.

Length 16 inches
Wingspan 20 inches

Features:
* Diecast metal and plastic construction.
* Fine panel lines and surface details.
* Pad printed markings and placards.
* Opening canopies and detailed cockpit interiors.
* Retractable landing gear.
* Metal display stand.
* Movable control surfaces.
* Concealed screwheads.

Operation Jericho was the RAF's most daring and dangerous raid of WWII. Requested by the French Resistance to free, or to sacrifice, up to 700 prisoners held by the Gestapo at Amiens, 18 Mosquito FBVIs of 140 Wing were prepared at short notice to attack the prison at low-level and high speed, the objective being to break the walls. Led by Pickard in Mosquito HX922, 140 Wing attacked with complete surprise causing utter chaos inside the prison. 258 prisoners escaped through the breached walls, with 102 killed. Warned of collateral damage, the Resistance said death from RAF bombs was preferable to a Nazi execution. Only two Mosquitoes were lost, one of which was HX922, attacked while leaving the CZ by an Fw-190.

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was first flown in November 1940. The wooden Mosquito was one of the most successful aircraft of the Second World War. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito was as fast as a fighter and could carry the payload of a B-25. During its lifetime, the Mosquito was used in varying roles, which included night fighter and ground attack.

The 1:32 scale Mosquito is big and beautiful. It is constructed almost entirely of diecast metal. All of the control surfaces are movable, including positionable radiator ducts and flaps. The retractable main landing gear and tail wheel are beautifully are realistic and lock in place for ground display. The side engine cowlings are removable, revealing detailed Merlin V-12 engines. The large canopy provides easy viewing of the highly detailed crew figures. The bottom of the model has spring loaded bomb-bay doors that open to reveal ordnance. When the best deserves only the very best!

PREORDER TERMS FOR THIS ITEM: WE WILL CHARGE YOUR CARD WHEN WE ARE PREPARING TO SHIP. (A temporary authorization may appear on your statement immediately after checkout and will autodelete in a couple of days). In order to facilitate quick fulfillment and accuracy of your order, please keep Preorders arriving on differing dates AND In-stock items on separate tags. Delays or early arrivals can occur with Preorder ship dates so please DO NOT pin Xmas or Birthday hopes on Preordered merchandise.