1:72 Scale Diecast Hawker Hunter T.Mk 7 Model, RAF No.237 OCU, RAF Honnington, England, July 1987 (Limited Edition)

This model measures 7.75" long by 5.75 wide.

Work on a 2 seat variant of the Hawker Hunter began in 1954, when a contract was issued for the manufacture of two prototypes. Designed by a team led by Sir Sydney Camm, the first of these aircraft flew on July 8th 1955 with Neville Duke at the controls. Hawker Hunter trainers enjoyed a long career in RAF service and one of its key roles was in training crews for the Buccaneer strike aircraft. To assist with this, several Hunter T7 cockpits were fitted with the same instruments and controls as those in the Buccaneer. The Hunter T7, XL573, was delivered to the Day Fighter Leaders School at West Raynham in July 1958. After duty with 229 OCU and 4FTS, in Feb 1980 it joined 237 OCU at Honington where, following the grounding of the Buccaneer fleet, its primary role was to keep the Buccaneer flight crews current. XL573 served the RAF for almost 33 years before ending its military days at Lossiemouth in 1991.

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" 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

* Optional extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels

* Poseable presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight"

* Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity

* Detailed pilot and crew member figures

* Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards

* Selected interchangeable features such as airbrakes, opened canopies and access panels

* Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings

Note: This is a pre-order item which is scheduled to arrive in February, 2010.