‘Blackjack’ set to blast into Aviation Archive range
Welcome to the latest edition of Corgi Die-cast Diaries, your regular blog review of all the news, updates and topical stories from the captivating world of Corgi die-cast model collecting.
As we currently find ourselves in holiday season and with the Corgi website scheduled to undergo a few changes in the near future, not to mention our planning for the final range launch of 2024 being in the final stages, this latest blog update is going to be a slightly abridged version. That being said, we will be exclusively showcasing product images of an advanced production sample of a model which has proved to be one of the most popular of recent times, from a pre-ordering activity perspective, our scale tribute to the previous RAF Typhoon Display Team aircraft, one which even qualifies for its own nickname.
One of the most flamboyantly presented RAF aircraft of recent times, ‘Blackjack’ served as the RAF’s display Typhoon for three consecutive years and was flown by no fewer than four different RAF Typhoon display pilots during that time. We think our new model is the perfect way with which to pay our die-cast respects to an aircraft which has thrilled millions of people with its displays over the past three years and we can’t wait for you to see it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, may we present ‘Blackjack’
Preparing to make a spectacular entrance, ‘Blackjack’ is about to create shockwaves in our model display cabinets.
In the previous edition of our update blog, we reported from our recent attendance at the latest Royal International Air Tattoo and how we used this event to make an exclusive new model announcement. As I had the opportunity to speak to so many Corgi collectors during the course of our three day stay at Fairford, we should probably describe our attendance this year as sneaking a couple of models into the impressive display presentation arranged by our friends at Airfix, but please be assured, we took your comments on board and are already planning a much more robust Corgi attendance at this and several other shows in the coming years.
As for the show itself, the highlight event for us here at Corgi was undoubtedly the unveiling of our ‘What if liveried’ BAC TSR-2 model, an addition to the Aviation Archive range we can confidently say that nobody was expecting, but one which has been received incredibly well – we’ll have more on this a little later. As we added the TSR-2 to the display case following the Friday 10am announcement, it was sharing the limited space we were granted with a second model, one of the pre-production sample models of our new 1/48th scale RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ‘Blackjack’.
In addition to the pair looking absolutely magnificent together, they both attracted similar levels of enthusiast interest and when we informed those who were non-Aviation Archive aficionado to our display that these were pre-finished, die-cast metal models, several people took themselves off to the Airfix make and paint tables, logged on to the Corgi website and either pre-ordered Blackjack, or secured one of the already available TSR-2s. To say that website ordering activity over the weekend was brisk would be something of an understatement and actually proved to be quite the humbling experience.
Even though just two Corgi models managed to sneak into the Airfix display cabinet at RIAT this year, they both attracted plenty of attention from those visiting our marquee.
With regard to the ‘Blackjack’ model we had on display, that was a pre-production sample model, one which had been reviewed by our researcher, and was subject to a number of decoration changes being requested, prior to the release of the actual production model. That didn’t stop one particularly smitten chap, who was adamant that he wanted to buy this particular model and he wanted to take it away with him that day! It wasn’t quite a case of name your price, but he was rather insistent.
After a few minutes spent explaining the situation and how it simply wasn’t possible for him to have it, he consoled himself by pre-ordering ‘Blackjack’ using his phone there and then, before going off to buy an example of AA29001 ‘GINA’ from one of the retail outlets selling at RIAT. It was an unusual, enjoyable and light-hearted few minutes spent in his company, and the right outcome was achieved in the end. With ‘Blackjack’ scheduled to arrive in our warehouse by the end of this month, he won’t have to wait long for his example to be out on display either and she looks stunning.
Using this latest selection of advanced sample model images, let’s prepare ourselves for Blackjack’s arrival one final time.
As the aircraft charged with protecting UK airspace from unauthorised incursion, the interceptor fighters which perform this role have always become firm favourites with enthusiasts and arguably the most widely recognised aircraft types of their era. Currently performing this vital role, the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 is an incredibly capable aircraft born of an international design collaboration which aimed to produce an agile air defence fighter (European Combat Fighter Project) for service with several European air forces. Such a collaboration held the prospect of keeping costs to more manageable levels for those involved, as they were being shared across the partner nations, although each would ultimately have their own requirements for the new aircraft, something which would put a strain on both costs and working relationships.
At the time this new aircraft entered the development phase, Britain’s sovereign airspace was being policed by such aircraft as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and BAe Tornado F.3, the air defence variant of the RAF’s highly capable Tornado strike jet and whilst both were classic aircraft in their own right, neither could really describe themselves as being agile performers. With the US Air Force able to boast such manoeuvrable aircraft as the General Dynamics F-16 Falcon and world leading McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, the new Eurofighter consortium was looking to develop their own agile fighter, one which was much better suited to the modern and constantly changing air combat arena.
The multinational consortium was made up of the aviation industries of Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain and as the project progressed, it was clear that the new Eurofighter was going to be an extremely advanced aeroplane indeed. Designed to be aerodynamically unstable at all speeds, the aircraft was controlled by a powerful suite of computers, which combined to endow the fighter with exceptional agility.
All the following images feature an advanced production sample example of this highly anticipated new model.
Making extensive use of composite materials, the aircraft was to be powered by a pair of Eurojet EJ200 engines which propelled the fighter to a maximum speed of Mach 2.35 (currently limited in RAF service) and the ability to supercruise without the use of afterburner. These engines were just as advanced as the aircraft itself and were designed in 15 fully interchangeable modules, with everything monitored in real-time to ensure the early indication of any potential problems with the unit. This was all designed to keep the aircraft serviceable and ready for action.
Equipped with an impressive array of targeting and defensive technologies, the Typhoon can also carry a seemingly endless selection of ever more capable weapons, as it has developed from its original air superiority fighter designation, into an exceptional multi-role platform, one which is truly at the forefront of military aviation technology. Now at the midpoint of its service life, the Typhoon is expected to remain in service until 2040 and beyond.
The Typhoon era began in earnest on 27th March 1994, when the first prototype aircraft made its maiden flight from the EADS facility at Manching in Bavaria, to be followed six days later by the first flight of Britain’s first development Typhoon (ZH588) from the Bae facility at Warton in Lancashire. The name ‘Typhoon’ was officially adopted for the new fighter in September 1998, the same year that the first production contracts were signed, committing nations to purchasing an aircraft they had already been working on for five years at that point.
The first operational RAF Typhoon Squadron was No.3 Squadron, which was established at Coningsby on 31st March 2006 and by the summer of 2007, the unit were sharing national QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) responsibilities with the RAF’s existing Tornado F.3 force, initially on a rolling month on - month off basis, but working up to taking this important duty over entirely.
The only thing that remained now was to introduce the Typhoon to the British public and allow this exciting new aircraft to take its place on the UK Airshow circuit as a regular display performer. Although the Typhoon had displayed at the huge RIAT show in 2004, this was a restricted performance from a development aircraft which only served to whet the appetite for what we could expect to see the aircraft doing in years to come. For a sizeable 50,000 crowd, that event proved to be the 2005 Cosford Airshow, an event which boasted a typically impressive line-up of historic and serving RAF aircraft, but for the first time, also a Eurofighter Typhoon, but still a development aircraft based at Warton on that occasion.
Over the course of the next few dynamic minutes, this early Typhoon T.1 pre-production aircraft proceeded to do things that an 11-ton aeroplane really shouldn’t be able to do, cartwheeling across the sky at the whim of its pilot, keeping his display routine within the confines of a relatively small imaginary box above the airfield. With the display pilot making full use of the aircraft’s ultra-responsive afterburners, the dark skies only served to add to the drama of the display, as they flicked on and off like a pair of powerful torches.
Ending the display with a spirited high-speed pass, followed by a pull up into the angry skies above, the Typhoon had introduced itself to an Airshow audience and what a performance it was. The age of the Typhoon had arrived, and this was now the aircraft everyone now wanted to see.
Now nineteen years on, the Typhoon is a mature combat aircraft, arguably one of the most capable aircraft in world service today and one which is now in service with the air forces of nine nations, with just under 700 aircraft ordered to date. Still the consummate Airshow performer, thousands of Airshowgoers will be looking forward to seeing this year’s Typhoon Display Team putting this exciting performer through its paces and with it, inspiring the next generation of future Royal Air Force recruits.
As one of the World’s most capable multi-role combat aircraft, the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 is not only the pride of the Royal Air Force, but also the consummate Airshow performer and as such, continues to serve as an effective recruitment tool for the force. As if a Typhoon display wasn’t appealing enough as an Airshow attraction, RAF officials sanctioned the ‘special presentation’ of their display jet for the 2021 Airshow season, a scheme which immediately ensured that Typhoon ZJ914 went on to become the highest profile aircraft in current Royal Air Force service.
This fantastic model is now on the water and should be in our warehouse and ready for dispatch by the end of the month. Please keep and eye on our social media sites for all the latest availability details.
The scheme is a real head-turner, taking its design inspiration from the Union Flag and the Royal Air Force roundel, applied over a smart black aggressor scheme and it didn’t take long before the aircraft had worked its way into the hearts of enthusiasts and aviation photographers the length and breadth of the country. Colloquially referred to as ‘Blackjack’, the RAF’s display Typhoon is a headline performer of growing repute and for the 2022 Airshow season, was flown by Flt Lt Adam O’Hare, operating the aircraft under the electrifying callsign ‘Anarchy 1’ when ready to display.
Flight Lieutenant O’Hare took the stunning good looks of his jet and combined this with a dynamic display routine full of exciting high energy manoeuvres, high speed passes and with full use of the aircraft's powerful afterburners to leave spectators in awe and desperate for more. Ensuring the RAF Typhoon was always the highlight of any display in which it appeared, Flt Lt ‘Paddy’ O’Hare used every ounce of power his Typhoon’s EJ200 engines could generate to demonstrate the incredible agility of the aircraft, ensuring that everyone went home with a pleasing selection of photographs, along with a renewed appreciation of the Typhoon's impressive performance after every show.
The RAF Display Typhoon has worn this popular scheme for three full display seasons and even throughout the early months of work up for the new display pilot for the forthcoming 2024 Airshow season. Although the RAF may choose to mark this 80th Anniversary year of the D-Day landings by presenting their display Typhoon in a new commemorative scheme, many enthusiasts will be hoping that ‘Blackjack’ retains her iconic scheme and may still appear at Airshows around the UK.
Aviation Archive TSR-2 – Mission accomplished
Although the story of the cancellation of the TSR-2 project back in 1965 can still be the source of incredulity and heated debate, we’re pleased to say that despite our 1/72nd scale project to return the TSR-2 to the Aviation Archive range being both unexpected and rather brave, we’re delighted to say that it’s been a resounding success. Despite the fact that it’s only been three weeks since the model was announced, we’re already in limited availability territory and when I looked this morning, there were only ten models left available via the Corgi website.
Before we end this slightly shorter edition of our blog, we just wanted to thank everyone who supported this project and for doing so in such a super-fast time. If there was an Olympic medal for speed of Corgi ordering, the TSR-2 would unquestionably be gold all the way. From announcement to being on the cusp of sell through in three weeks is some going and shows that the TSR-2 story is still of interest to people.
Thank you again and we hope this unique model will take pride of place in your collections.
Just to make you aware, we have an impending blog posting moratorium due to begin soon, as work to publish the new Corgi website is actioned, so we may not be in a position to publish an update as usual in two week’s time, however, we will continue with our existing fortnightly publication schedule once the new website is up and running.
Until then, we’d better all start making some display space for the arrival of ‘Blackjack’.
That's all we have for you in this latest edition, however, please join us again next time for another exclusive insight into the wonderful world of Corgi model collecting. Between editions, we are always interested to hear your views on all things Corgi, so if you feel like dropping us a line to comment on anything blog, collecting or Corgi model related, or perhaps to suggest a topic you might like to see us cover in a future edition, please do get in touch at diecastdiaries@corgi.co.uk.
If you can’t wait for the next blog, you will find plenty of Corgi model collecting discussions taking place on our official social media channels, access to which can be obtained by clicking on the respective links at the foot of the Corgi website homepage.
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Thank you for continuing to support your Die-cast Diaries blog. Our next edition is likely to be published on Friday 6th September due to impending website upgrade work, so we look forward to seeing you back here then.
