A CORGI cornucopia of new die-cast delights

Welcome to our latest edition of CORGI Die-cast Diaries, your fortnightly blog review bringing collectors all the news, updates and topical stories from the captivating world of CORGI die-cast model collecting.

As we head into the busiest period of the year for the team here at CORGI, we’re delighted to be bringing you the latest edition of our update blog which is crammed full of new model exclusives and wide subject variety. With our usual mix of exclusive imagery, project updates and breaking news, we find ourselves boldly going into the final few weeks of 2026 by continuing to champion the many enjoyable aspects of the die-cast model collecting hobby.

This time around, we will be opening with a look at our second scale model tribute to the impressive Commemorative Air Force organisation, our die-cast representation of an aircraft which enjoys almost mythical status within the world of historic aviation across the globe. We will follow this with a trio of new Vanguards model releases which are bound to get many a reader’s motors started and possibly even stimulating a bit of display cabinet rearranging preparation as a result. We have an exclusive update on the results of a recent CAF poll and how this will impact future Aviation Archive range planning, and confirm the CORGI team’s attendance at a significant event in the world of popular motoring over the coming week or so.

You can look forward to a blog packed full of die-cast treats and maybe even a few fireworks, as we bring you the latest edition of CORGI Die-cast Diaries.

‘Old Red Nose’ – The start of America’s Warbird movement

When an aircraft is heralded as being the one which started an entire national movement in the preservation and flying of former WWII era aeroplanes, it can be something of a surprise to learn that her original owners actually described her service career as not having any particular historical significance. That situation certainly changed following his acquisition of this particular P-51D Mustang in 1957, as the aircraft has definitely gone on to become of unique historical significance. For that reason, we’re delighted that we’re about to welcome our 1:72nd scale die-cast tribute to this aircraft into the Aviation Archive range.

The story of this aircraft and indeed the Confederate Air Force starts with one man, Lloyd P. Nolen. Nolen had a love of flying from an early age, making his first solo flight in 1939 at the age of 16 and subsequently being awarded his pilot’s licence the following year. The outbreak of the Second World War gave him the opportunity to fly aircraft in combat, however, his eyesight wasn’t quite good enough to pass the Air Corps cadet test, but did allow him to spend the war years serving as a flight instructor, training hundreds of pilots to do what he wasn’t able to do, fly combat missions.

With his love of military flying undiminished, he continued to fly as a career, but also saw him purchasing a Curtiss P-40 fighter, an aircraft he would fly as often as he could. Despite his love for this aircraft, what he really wanted was a P-51D Mustang, so in the early 1950s, he put his P-40 up for sale, intending to use the proceeds to secure his own Mustang. Unfortunately for him, the outbreak of the Korean War meant that the US Government had started buying up all the privately owned Mustangs, so there weren’t any available and those that were, were prohibitively expensive. Mr Nolen had no P-40 and no Mustang.

A hugely appealing addition to the Aviation Archive range, this model is our scale tribute to one of the most important historic aircraft America has ever known.

Several years later, it came to Lloyd’s attention that a suitable Mustang was up for sale in San Antonio, but there was a problem – it was prohibitively expensive. Even with proceeds from the sale of his P-40 sat in the bank, the Mustang was around twice the price of his first Warbird, something he simply couldn’t afford, but he did have a solution to this financial problem. He contacted several of his flying farmer friends and between them, they agreed to pool financial resources so the group could secure the Mustang, which they duly did – they all now owned a P-51.

Once the aircraft had been transported to his home airfield and undergone repair and overhaul, the new group of Mustang owners prepared to take the aircraft for its maiden ownership flight. As they walked out to the Mustang, they noticed that someone had made an unauthorised paint addition to the fighter since they last saw it, as the words ‘Confederate Air Force’ had been painted on the aircraft’s rear fuselage, just below, and extending past the tailplane.

It’s thought that the joke was that they were obviously operating from an airfield in the Confederate States, but how they had also rebelled against the Government who had previously been buying up all the available Mustangs.

Rather than being annoyed, the new owners appeared to see the funny side of the situation, left the markings on their new aircraft and the rest, as they say, is US historic aviation history. This 1957 development is now celebrated as the origins of the CAF, even though at that time, it was the Confederate Air Force as opposed to today’s Commemorative Air Force.

The group started flying their Mustang from their home airfield and at various events whenever they could, because even from those early days, they were determined that their Mustang should be a flying tribute to the aircraft and men who served during the Second World War, and not to simply be a static museum piece – theirs was a living, flying aeroplane.

The aircraft was originally finished in natural metal, but had red detailing added to the spinner, wing tips and tail, in addition to a black anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit. CAF historians believe that the decision to paint the aircraft with red detailing only happened because the cash strapped operating group happened to have some red paint in the hangar, and for no other reason than that. Once the new paint had been applied, the group members would refer to their Mustang as ‘Old Red Nose’, a name which seemed highly appropriate to them and one which has endured to this day, even though abbreviated to just ‘Red Nose’.

Once the aircraft inherited an actual authentic wartime scheme, those responsible for the aircraft at that time maintained the red nose theme and went with a scheme worn by USAAF 4th Fighter Group ace pilot Captain David W. Howe. Howe flew with the RAF Debden based 334th Fighter Squadron, one of the units which had been formed from the famous ‘Eagle Squadrons’ which originally flew with the Royal Air Force prior to America’s entry into the war.

Joining the ‘Debden Eagles’ from September 1943, Howe would continue flying with his squadron until the end of March 1945, by which time he had amassed more than 500 combat flying hours over two tours, without suffering a single mission abort. A highly decorated ‘ace’ pilot with 8.5 aerial victories to his name, when Howe retuned to the US, he became a test pilot for Bell Aircraft and only retired in 1981.

The group who acquired Red Nose began to collect other Warbirds, for the simple reason that they wanted to preserve more wartime aircraft at a time when few had been preserved in airworthy condition. They were of the opinion that the best way with which to preserve the service and sacrifice of US airmen and their aircraft from WWII was to let members of the public see, hear and experience them in their operating domain, not sitting forlornly in a dusty museum.

They were hugely successful in that aim, with today’s Commemorative Air Force being the impressive culmination of their foresight.

P-51D Mustang ‘Red Nose’ was eventually donated to CAF in 1977, where she continued to fly, enhancing her own growing reputation, along with that of the impressive collection of airworthy aircraft now operated by the organisation. Interestingly, she only underwent major overhaul and renovation in the early 1990s, which is just another chapter in the story of this incredible aircraft, one which continues to further the ideals of its original owners.

AA27710 - North American P-51D Mustang 44-73843 QP-G ‘Old Red Nose’, presented as an aircraft flown by Capt. David W. Howe, 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Debden, Essex, during the summer of 1944 - Commemorative Air Force (CAF), Airbase Georgia, Atlanta Regional Airport - Falcon Field, USA. Founding aircraft for the CAF.

Although the North American P-51 Mustang is unquestionably regarded as one of the finest fighting aeroplanes of the entire Second World War, it can be surprising to learn that the bubble canopy equipped ‘D’ variant of the fighter only started flying combat operations in the European Theatre from the summer of 1944 onwards. With its impressive reputation, the Mustang has long been a favourite with Warbird and Airshow enthusiasts, with one aircraft possessing a particularly rich heritage in the world of historic aviation. P-51D Mustang ‘Old Red Nose’ was purchased by a group of WWII veteran pilot friends in 1957, who pooled their resources to secure a Mustang they could all fly, with this aircraft now regarded as the founding aircraft of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

Always flown with a distinctive red spinner, this Mustang was colloquially known as ‘Old Red Nose’, so when it came time to select a suitable authentic wartime scheme for her, they selected one of the red nosed Mustangs of the 4th Fighter Group, which flew out of Debden in England during the Second World War, a unit which was the highest scoring USAAF Fighter Group in WWII. She was donated to the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) in 1991 and since that date, has been honouring the heroes of yesterday by informing the public about the people who built, flew and maintained these magnificent aeroplanes. She is part of CAF’s Airbase Georgia  ‘Flying Museum’ collection of aircraft, based at Atlanta Regional Airport - Falcon Field.

Such a beautiful and historic aeroplane, we’re very much looking forward to welcoming ‘Red Nose’ into the Aviation Archive Hall of Fame, the second release in our Commemorative Air Force model collaboration, something we’ll have more news on a little later in this blog.

We hope to have AA27710 North American P-51D Mustang - 44-73843 'Old Red Nose™' (Commemorative Air Force) in our warehouse and available next month, but before a certain big day!

New Vanguards trio en route to our display cabinets

In what has been a significant year for our incredibly popular Vanguards model range, we’ve been delighted to build on its 30 year heritage by continuing to bring new and appealing releases to a range which has brought so much collecting pleasure to so many people over the years, something which we can add to once more in this latest edition.

Historically, the Vanguards model range in the format we now know and love can trace its lineage back to a catalogue release back in 1996, one featuring an appealing selection of images which all actually featured resin prototype models.

With thirteen model toolings in the range, and no fewer than thirty-four new livery options for collectors to consider back then, it’s been difficult to point to a particular model possessing the definitive claim of being the very first Vanguards model, so we’re probably better off going with the one which appeared first chronologically, and that model was Ford Anglia VA1000 in Navy Blue. The collectors card that accompanies the release describes this model as No.1 in a series of 42 models, and we’re delighted to be continuing that release history by bringing you details of three beautiful new models about to join us in this significant anniversary year.

VA12710 – Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 Griffe RHD in Laser Green

When thinking of the many cars released during the 1980s and 90s that fell into the category of ‘Hot Hatches’, few possessed the motoring charisma of the Peugeot 205 GTI, a lively little car that captured the imagination of millions of people. When it came to reading the room, the design team at Peugeot got everything just right with the 205 GTI, and it really was the car that everybody with any sense wanted to own.

Beautifully styled and with attention to finish detailing that demanded everyone just had to look at it, should you be fortunate enough to be in close proximity to one, the 205 has to be considered the benchmark in hot hatch terms, so much so that if they started to release a new version of this car today, just as Renault have with their Renault 5, it would surely be an instant hit.

Going back to Vanguards lineage for a moment, the last time we could boast a Peugeot 205 GTI in the range was 2014, and this model’s 12 year absence has certainly made collector’s hearts grow fonder, so we’re delighted to have this beautiful new model arriving in this significant anniversary year for the range. 

The Griffe special edition GTI was announced in late 1990 and took its name, which translates as claw, from Peugeot’s lion badge. The specification and colour were inspired by the personal GTI of Jean Todt, then managing the company’s WRC team. All were based on LHD 1.9 GTIs, but the red styling features, apart from the steering wheel badge, were changed to grey, and it came as standard with many of the luxury features that were normally options, including a full leather interior, ABS brakes, remote central locking and power steering. The 205 Griffe modelled is number 1279 of the 1652 made in Peugeot’s factory in Mulhouse, France, and is the only RHD Griffe produced.

This unique car was ordered by Peugeot UK to evaluate prospective importation plans, but they felt the name was too similar to grief so dropped the idea. The car was subsequently acquired by Peugeot UK’s then stereo partner, Clarion, who used it as an event demonstration vehicle. Peugeot Sport Club UK member Rob King first saw it in 2008 when he bought its unique, green-stitched, leather interior and door cards from a 205 specialist who was making it look like a normal 205 GTI to improve its showroom appeal! Rob noted the number, and was finally able to buy it in 2016. He has now partially restored the car, reuniting it with its original interior, and displayed it at the 2024 NEC Classic Car Show.

VA11406 – Vauxhall Nova 1.3 SR in Monaco Blue

A car which couldn’t hold its own with the true ‘Hot Hatch’ powerhouses of the day, the Vauxhall Nova was actually a really good car, Vauxhall’s considered entry into the supermini market. The car’s launch was helped by an extremely positive Autocar magazine review, describing the Nova as ‘A new motoring star is born’, something Vauxhall marketing teams must have been delighted about.

Following its release, the new Nova SR quickly became the car of choice for all the hot hatch would-bes that couldn’t quite afford something like a Peugeot 205 GTI, but still wanted to zip around town in some style, something which led the Nova to be colloquially referred to as a ‘Warm Hatch’.

In Vanguards terms, the Vauxhall Nova has been away from the range for even longer than the Peugeot 205 GTI, as the last time we had one of these models in the range was back in 2011. It’s reappearance is therefore long overdue and most welcome.

The Nova modelled here was initially registered by Vauxhall dealers Drake and Fletcher Ltd, Maidstone, Kent, on 25th February 1987. The first owner, Mr Begent from Sandwich, had it serviced by Guilton Forge Garage (GFG) in Ash, Canterbury. In January 2012, when it had still only covered 66,000 miles, he offered it for sale, and it was purchased by Connor Shea, then an apprentice mechanic at GFG, as his first car. Over nearly three years, he and his father, mechanic Colin ‘Cricket’ Taylor, fitted a Weber carburettor and 4-branch exhaust manifold, rebuilt the engine, refinished the engine bay and prepared it for Connor’s colleagues in GFG’s body shop who welded in new panels and resprayed it.

Current owner, North Yorkshire-based Andy Ward,  purchased it on 23rd November 2014 after Connor had decided he wanted to extensively modify a Nova and felt that his rare, original SR, in an optional two-coat metallic colour with Plaid Sport cloth trim, was too good for that. Andy had then been looking for an SR for some time as he had owned a red example as his first car in the early 2000s and retained a fondness for them. He is a member of the Northern Nova Group and uses the car to attend classic car events including the annual Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association National Rally. He has continued to improve the car, dealing with some rust, and fitting a stainless-steel exhaust and manifold.

VA14703 – Triumph TR6 in French Blue

There are some cars which just stand the test of time, manage to look good even in the face of the latest supercar competition and will always be described by millions of people as being highly desirable. For many, one of the few vehicles which can boast inclusion in this exclusive motoring club is the Triumph TR6, a beautifully elegant looking sports car, with something of a tiger under the bonnet.

Although the Triumph company was synonymous with the production of motorcycles, it went on to produce its first motorcar in 1923, having only moderate commercial success at first, but going on to become recognised as manufacturers of some really attractive sports car designs. For many, one of the best looking Triumph models ever produced, the Triumph TR6, would enjoy commercial success both here in the UK and across export markets and looking at our latest scale representation of one, it isn't difficult to see why.

On the face of it, this car appeared to be the logical next iteration of a successful series of small British sports cars in the TR range, however, the TR6 was much more than just a simple upgrade and was actually something of a motoring behemoth. Fast and powerful, but all presented in a beautifully sleek package, it's interesting to note that despite the car being one of the most attractive to be found on Britain's roads, the vast majority of the production run would be for export overseas - at that time, it appeared that the world just couldn't get enough of British style when it came to sports cars. First appearing in 1968, the TR6 is definitely viewed as something of a motoring classic and is still a head-turner wherever you are fortunate to come across one.

The ‘carburettor’ TR6 modelled here left Triumph’s Canley factory on 21st May 1975. A LHD North American specification car, it was exported from Seaforth, Liverpool, aboard the SS Atlantic Conveyor; the vessel later requisitioned by the M.O.D. for the Falklands war that was, tragically, sunk on 25th May 1982, with the loss of 12 lives. The car’s first owner, Thomas J. Kaag, purchased it via BL dealers Nemet Auto International, Newark, New Jersey. It was repatriated on 24th August 1989 and converted to RHD but retained its original components. Current owners, Nottinghamshire-based Wendy and Darren Salmon, purchased it from Steve Hall at TR Enterprises in June 2005, at which point it had covered 50,000 miles.

After joining the TR Register and enjoying a trip to Le Mans, the couple decided it was a ‘keeper’, so had the body restored by local Triumph expert Rob Forster in November 2006. From 2007, they used it for numerous European tours, including a memorable drive on the Stelvio Pass. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2012, ethanol in Swiss petrol damaged the fuel system, although they managed to nurse it home using a borrowed fuel pump. Rob Forster then rebuilt and uprated the engine, gearbox and other mechanical components. It has received numerous club awards, been featured in both Practical Classics and Classic Car Weekly, however Wendy and Darren just love using it for touring holidays and have covered over 60,000 enjoyable miles throughout Europe.

We look forward to welcoming all three of these new models to the Vanguards range over the coming few weeks.

CAF Poll – Choose your B-25 Mitchell

Regular DCD readers will no doubt recall a recent edition of our blog where we included details of a poll arranged by our friends at the Commemorative Air Force, one where they were inviting people to vote for which of the North American B-25 Mitchells they currently operate supporters would like to see produced as a CORGI model. Building on our AC-47 Spooky Gunship release and Red Nose Mustang announcement, this poll allowed enthusiasts and CAF members the chance to help them decide which of the historic B-25 Mitchells they have under their banner should be up for consideration as the next officially licenced CORGI die-cast model collectable, a contest which turned out to be something of a Mitchell dogfight.

The Commemorative Air Force are essentially the world’s largest flying museum, boasting a collection of aircraft which includes the magnificent Boeing B-29 Superfortress ‘FIFI’ and many others. The CAF mission statement is to ‘Educate, Inspire, and Honor through flight and living history experiences’, something they do with pride and enthusiasm across America throughout each Airshow display season.

Despite having around 182 beautiful historic airworthy aircraft under their banner, it quickly became clear that one of the most exciting projects the Commemorative Air Force team had on the go over recent weeks was this CORGI model poll, and it really did seem to be as popular as the real aircraft’s Airshow appearances.

Although the poll was already up and running by the time we included details in the blog, the voting which took place after we brought it to the attention of collectors was brisk to say the least, but clearly identified two Mitchells as the flying front runners Miss Mitchell and the Devil Dog. As the voting intensified, it was clear that both aircraft each had their own staunch supporters, and the lead ping-ponged back and forth between the two right up to the end, but saw the Devil Dog Squadron’s B-25J finally taking the crown.

In truth, watching the poll unfold was as exciting for us here in the CORGI team as it must have been for CAF officials, and we are pleased to be in a position to now confirm that both Devil Dog and Miss Mitchell will be taking their places in a CORGI model range in the very near future, and at this point, we’re not ruling out going back to the poll and considering other release projects.

Watch this space, as we continue to enhance our association with the people and aeroplanes of the Commemorative Air Force.

How many Vanguards will we see at the Classic Motor Show

Our attendance at Classic Car Show 2017 saw the team unveiling our project to immortalise this beautiful Sunbeam Alpine in scale die-cast form.

The CORGI events team are very much looking forward to being part of the action at next weekend’s Classic Motor Show to be held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from 13th to the 15th November. With some of the country’s most desirable classic cars due to be on show, along with some exciting four wheeled debutantes, we will be aiming to bring some scale die-cast class to proceedings with our clearly banded stand.

We can confirm that our stand will be situated at position 1 – 159 in Hall 1, which is apparently close to one of the main entrance doors. We will not be there in a retail capacity, but will have a spectacular selection of CORGI models for visitors to admire, and if you have any burning questions about our Vanguards models or any of the wider range, we’ll do our very best to put you in the die-cast picture.

We’re really looking forward to the show and to meeting as many CORGI collectors as possible over the three day event.

Obviously, we will also be hoping to see plenty of Vanguards models on display across the various halls, as we know many cars already immortalised in the range will be there in 1 to 1 scale form. We’ll be catching up with as many of them as possible over the weekend, and will bring readers a full report of our findings and the show itself. We’ll also be looking for as much future model subject inspiration as possible, as Vanguards heads into the next decade of production.

If you’re heading down to the show, please do drop by and say hello.

That’s all we have this time around, but we will be back as usual in two weeks’ time to bring you a further exclusive selection of updates. As always, if you would like to drop us a line in the meantime to comment on anything CORGI model related, or to suggest a future blog topic you’d like to see covered here in DCD, you’d be more than welcome, and we’re always happy to hear your views.

As ever, our diecastdiaries@corgi.co.uk address is always the one to use.

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 CORGI Die-cast Diaries blog, as we head into our 12th year of production. Our next edition is scheduled for publication on Friday 20th November.

Until next time, once again, thank you for your continued support.

The CORGI Team