CORGI display at the Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow
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.
With the success of our latest CORGI roadshow event attendance still at the forefront of our minds, in addition to our final new model range for the year now being live on the CORGI website and available for inspection, we will be taking this edition of Die-cast Diaries as an opportunity to catch up with some of the many model developments which have occurred over the past couple of weeks. Our time spent at IWM Duxford will be dominating blog proceedings this time around, but we will have plenty of interesting updates and exclusive imagery for your delectation along the way.
With a new range of models only recently announced, the rest of our blog scheduling for the year will be taken up with guiding the CORGI brand through the busy impending festive period, but you can rest assured that if anything interesting comes along from the perspective of product development and new project updates, we will be including this alongside our usual release reviews.
We march onwards towards 2027!
Duxford’s American Air Museum hosts CORGI
This iconic building hosted the CORGI team during the recent Battle of Britain Airshow weekend.
Well, that turned out to be a hectic couple of weeks! Working two seven day weeks straight, exhibiting at the IWM’s premier Airshow event of the year, unveiling new models, announcing our final model range for the year, and squeezing in a short overseas city break into the bargain, it’s certainly never dull here at CORGI.
Having enjoyed a spectacular three days at the recent Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow, we have to extend our sincere thanks to the Duxford events team for their help in ensuring everything went like clockwork for us, from arranging our display space, to keeping everyone informed about our on-site location over the weekend. Once our display had been assembled, including the two secret releases we had concealed until the appropriate time, we were fortunate to have healthy crowds around our location for the duration of the show, and it was so nice to meet old CORGI acquaintances, whilst at the same time making some new connections – we’ll have more on this a little later.
Talking about our location, we could hardly have been presented with a better one. Situated inside the right hand door of the impressive American Air Museum, just in front of the huge, glazed wall which imperiously overlooks the airfield, this popular landmark has recently benefitted from the addition of a new protective curtain over the outside of the glass, presumably to combat the recent summer conditions and to provide temperature respite for visitors and exhibits alike. Our set-up area was just inside the door, right in front of the two massive Pratt & Whitney J58 engines of the American Air Museum’s Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, a pretty iconic position from where to display a collection of scale die-cast model aircraft. One thing was certain – you were never going to miss us!
As far as model display positionings go, this is about as good as it gets – Blackbird Baby!
Set-up day for us was Friday, however, as this was a normal museum day for the public, and the American Air Museum was full of visitors, we had to wait until much later in the day before we could start moving our presentation cabinets in, and start populating the model displays. In any case, we had a couple of new model announcements that neither man, nor beast could be allowed a glimpse of, certainly not prior to the allocated reveal time the following day.
With the display cabinets in position, and once the museum had closed to the public, we could begin the clandestine task of placing our two model reveal projects into their respective cabinets, checking everything was as intended, before hiding them both beneath a CORGI cover, ready for thr reveal event the following morning. All we had to do now was to wait for the museum security team to lock the American Air Museum, so we could head off for some food and sleep, ready for an early start the next morning.
With a spectacular sunrise to greet us on the first day of the Battle of Britain Airshow, we knew we were in for a busy, but feature packed day spent with enthusiasts, model collectors and CORGI fans. Although there was still plenty for the early birds coming to find us on Saturday morning to see, the main event was scheduled to be taking place at 11am that morning, and even though we were invited to drop a few hints as to what may be lurking under the blue sheets, Head of Marketing David Mather was in no mood for taking prisoners and consequently, not a whisper was heard from his fellow team members.
As we approached 11am, the crowds gathered in front of the CORGI stand, and David prepared to make his dual announcement. There were clues to be had, if you had your wits about you, particularly as we had a delegation of suitably attired officials from a certain high-profile aircraft restoration project on the stand, but as the hour had now arrived, it was time to just settle back and take it all in.
A model Mosquito 'For the People'
There was something special for Mosquito fans at Duxford this year.
If you were to quiz any group of aviation enthusiasts on which aircraft type they would like to see joining the UK Airshow scene, chances are that many of them will cite the de Havilland Mosquito as the aviation missing link. For those of us with a few years invested in this hobby, we remember the great many years when British Aerospace operated Mosquito T.III RR299 was a stalwart of the nation’s Airshow landscape, a magnificent aeroplane which seemed to be steadfast in its desire to remind everyone just how proud we should all be of our forebears who designed, built, operated and maintained these war-winning aircraft.
As with all things we come to love, we were probably also guilty of taking it for granted somewhat, and during the summer of 1996, this aircraft was tragically lost in a fatal accident whilst performing its latest display commitment in the Northwest of England and with it, leaving Britain’s skies without the sight and sound of a Mosquito for thirty years and counting.
Thankfully, we now have a group of driven people here in the UK who are determined to do something about this situation, building a new Mosquito from the plans up, and returning one of these magnificent aircraft to the nation’s skies once more. Indeed, this project will see Mosquito parts being formed on the first new Mosquito moulds for the first time in over 70 years, using original drawings and technical data to bring a Mosquito back to life, by mastering many techniques which would have been used during manufacture back in the Second World War.
The People’s Mosquito project will be familiar to many people, as this is a high profile undertaking, and one the team have been more than willing to allow to take place essentially under the public gaze. This is going to be the nation’s Mosquito, so they want us all to share in their triumphs and tribulations along the way.
Building up the anticipation levels – with The People’s Mosquito team in attendance and the crowd gathered, it was almost time for the big reveal.
A first look for The People’s Mosquito team.
All smiles – I think we did okay!
Whilst they’ve all been hard at work advancing the project, the CORGI team had been doing our level best to distract them somewhat, with a rather spectacular die-cast scale model project of our own. Working with The People’s Mosquito team, we have been working on our own project to return a suitably livered large scale example of what the triumphant eventual unveiling of their stunning aeroplane might look like to our display cabinets. Once we’d settled on our 1/32nd scale de Havilland Mosquito tooling as our die-cast canvas, we worked with the team to select a suitable livery for the new model, something which would have significant implications for the wider project.
The intention was that bar one or two decoration requirements (serial number etc), when The People’s Mosquito rolls out of its hangar to prepare for its flight testing program, it could very well be wearing these exact markings – the intention is that it certainly will when later joining the UK Airshow circuit.
Clearly, both we, and our friends at The People’s Mosquito were very excited about this development, and had planned to make our announcement at this year’s RIAT show, but as we all now know, the best laid aviation plans, and all that. Our back-up plan was to make the announcement at the Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow, but whilst our own project was progressing nicely, we knew that we wouldn’t have a sample model available to the required standard to be in a position to make a new model announcement at the show, and the clock was ticking.
In situations such as these, you need a robust Plan B, and the help of a man who possesses a very specific set of skills and abilities. A long time Aviation Archive supporter and friend of the CORGI brand was approached in our hour of Mosquito need, and asked if he could possibly help us. After a few hours where he checked his schedule and had the CORGI team all sitting nervously at HQ, he did get back to us with the news that we’d been hoping for - the mission was on!
Such a stunning scheme, and thanks again to our modelling saviour.
He knows how to hold a room – by showing them a new 1:48th scale Grumman F-14 Tomcat model.
Perfection on 1:32nd scale, our new Mosquito is quite simply stunning!
Now all we had to do was to get one of our 1:32nd scale Mosquitos and a suitable set of decals to him and let him work his magic, although we do have to acknowledge that he contributed much more to the project than we initially anticipated. There’s a die-cast story to be told here, but our Mosquito hero doesn’t want to attract too much attention to his involvement at this stage – we might just have to wait a while for that. Nevertheless, what he created was a Mosquito masterpiece, and she looked absolutely magnificent on the CORGI stand.
As David made his 11am introductions, and the crowds gathered around the display plinth, we finally had the opportunity to unveil our new model, and unleash her on the collector world. The most interested members of the crowd were definitely the chaps from The People’s Mosquito themselves, because even though they knew about the model and the fact that it was going to be here, they hadn’t actually seen it yet, not even a photograph of it.
Unveiled with a pop up banner featuring newly commissioned, bespoke artwork in the ‘Moonbeam’ livery, the team appeared delighted with what we’d all managed to achieve, and with the model being in such an impressive scale, will make for a fitting centrepiece to any model collection, and a way for ‘the people’ to stay in touch with this exciting project to return a de Havilland Mosquito to Britain’s skies. It appeared to be love at first sight for them.
Once the unveiling had taken place, and our new Mosquito was meeting all her new admirers, we took the opportunity to introduce the model’s creator to The People’s Mosquito team, because without his time, skill and effort, this would have been a very different event. She looks magnificent and we are all unbelievably grateful for your help in making this project become a reality – your baby proved to be rather popular during her Duxford debut.
Since the tragic loss of RR299 at Barton airfield on 21st July 1996, Britain has been without the iconic sight of a de Havilland Mosquito displaying on the Airshow circuit, an aircraft which is still colloquially referred to as the ‘Wooden Wonder’, and arguably the finest multi role combat aircraft ever conceived. In an attempt to address this situation, ‘The People’s Mosquito’ project was established to re-manufacture and rebuild a Mosquito, with the ultimate aim being to return an example of this iconic aircraft to UK skies, where it would surely be destined to become the darling of the UK Airshow circuit, an aircraft which would have benefitted from significant public support.
A registered charity, ‘The People’s Mosquito’ has seen steady growth over the years, with healthy public support, ever increasing corporate involvement, and media interest levels which have continued to spur the team on in their enthusiastic endeavours. As the aircraft starts to take shape at their manufacturing facilities in Rye, East Sussex, the team are building a Mosquito in the UK for the first time in over 70 years, and when the aircraft eventually takes its triumphant place on the UK Airshow circuit, it’s likely that she will wear the markings of a No.418 Squadron RCAF night intruder Mosquito, which was engaged in mounting disruptive covert operations from RAF Ford in West Sussex during the months leading up to the D-Day landings.
This magnificent new 1/32nd scale model is available for pre-order now.
Anyone feel in the need for speed?
Never one to leave a crowd unaddressed, once the excitement of the Mosquito unveiling had settled down, David announced that if they cared to look towards the opposite end of the stand, they would see another plinth bedecked in CORGI blue, and that we had another model announcement still to make.
Even though we knew people would be surprised and delighted with our People’s Mosquito model announcement, we felt sure that nobody would be expecting to see what we had lurking under our second covered plinth, and we couldn’t wait to show them. If we had told people that we had our latest 1:48th scale tooling under there, they would probably have suggested Jaguar, Buccaneer, F35 or even Hunter, but hardly anyone would have guessed correctly.
Another project we’d been working on for some time, when the cloth came off and the Grumman F-14A/D Tomcat was revealed, there was a discernible intake of breath, because this simply wasn’t a CORGI subject!
One of the world’s most iconic post WWII aircraft, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was the pride of the US Navy and for many years, considered the most capable air superiority jet fighter in the world. Defending the fleet by day and night, and in all weather, the Tomcat was able to track up to 24 targets simultaneously, and use its sophisticated targeting technology to bring down several of them, should that be required. Sleek, powerful and deadly, the Tomcat might be beautiful to look at, but you definitely wouldn’t want to mess with it – this big cat has more than teeth and claws.
We’ve still got quite a long way to go on this one, but talk about a positive reception!
Essentially the Naval equivalent of the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, the unveiling of the F-14 Tomcat appeared to meet with the approval of both existing Aviation Archive collectors, and fans of US air power, and whilst we might have had some trepidations about the unveiling of this model, we soon forgot about these. This is going to be a popular addition to the CORGI range, and as you might expect, we have some exciting things planned for it.
At this juncture however, it is appropriate for us to tell you that the model we had on display at Duxford, no matter how impressive it was visually, was the very first 3D printed prototype, quickly assembled using individual plastic from parts designed in the first CAD iteration, so this was the earliest of early examples. Since this was assembled, many design alterations have been made to the CAD and more work done to the tooling itself, so we can expect the next prototype to exhibit all these alterations.
We are still some way off seeing the metal engineering sample on this one, but in the world of new CORGI model tooling projects, things tend to happen rather quickly once they’ve got going, and we look forward to bringing you much more from the Tomcat project in the very near future. Indeed, our intention is to bring you CAD imagery and the latest development updates from the F-14 project in our next edition, so please keen an eye out for that.
Until then, can you believe that we’re getting a 1:48th scale Grumman Tomcat – even I’m excited about that!
Longer nights must mean new CORGI models
As the events team were making their back from attending Duxford’s Battle of Britain Airshow over the weekend of 12/13th September, we had placed all our faith in the technology gods that they would oversee the announcement of our September – December range, which they did in some style. Just after 10am on Monday 14th September, our latest selection of impending new model releases settled in on the CORGI website, at the same time as the first two of our new 1/72nd scale Douglas AC-47 Gunships arrived in our warehouse – we really are good to you lot.
With new model additions across many of our ranges, we really do believe we have something for every die-cast taste in this latest collection, and look forward to bringing you all the related details as we head into the final few months of DCD blogs for 2026.
It will have not escaped those of us with 007 vision that we now have a rather special new triple release which not only celebrates our enduring association with Britain’s most famous secret agent, but also our proud connection to the most popular die-cast model ever produced.
Our James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Classic Collection premium collector set brings together three versions of the most famous model car ever produced by CORGI to celebrate our 70th anniversary - the Aston Martin DB5.
Released in 1965, the 261 was based on a DB4 body and famously painted gold to tie into the film ‘Goldfinger.’
The 270 arrived in 1968 painted in Silver with additional action features from the film.
The 2026 ‘Final Edition’ refines the body further and adds correctly colour components.
As this year has seen us celebrating CORGI’s 70th Anniversary, and with this year’s Star Trek Day also marking 60 years since the first airing of the original, classic series, you must have thought these two occasions were bound to come into first contact. Thankfully, that has resulted in something eye-catching, hugely collectable and a fitting tribute to a series that continues to be a source of fascination for millions.
Debuting in 1966, Star Trek has gone on to become a legendary science fiction franchise that spans multiple television series and feature films.
This very special chrome plated die-cast model of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 is a single run Limited Edition to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Original Series, presented in a premium finish collector box with a silver holographic foil finish.
The release is limited to 3000 units worldwide. The inner lid is inspired by the dedication plaque found on the Bridge of the Enterprise, and each model comes with a numbered collector card as well as a cotton glove to avoid fingerprints on the model when handling.
One of the most iconic science fiction spaceships to appear in popular culture, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 was conceived by Gene Roddenberry and designed by Matt Jefferies with the intention of looking unlike anything seen in the genre until that point.
Several models of the ship were built for filming, with the largest 11-foot-long model currently on prominent display in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
Boy racers of the die-cast world unite
Many Vanguards fans will no doubt be delighted to discover that the new range includes something very special for them, a classic hot hatch from a time when little Peugeots were real cars, our VA12710 Peugeot 205 GTI Griffe in Laser Green.
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.
This beautiful new model is available for pre-order now.
The Aviation Archive release we’ve all been waiting for
Well, they do say that all things come to those who wait, but when it comes to Aviation Archive fans, that wait has been a really long one, but a collector vigil which is almost over. Our latest range announcement included the incredible news that one of the world’s best loved airworthy historic aircraft, and stalwart of the UK Airshow scene is about to be immortalised as a 1/72nd scale die-cast collectable.
As the only airworthy Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe, ‘Sally B’ has spent the past 51 years thrilling Airshow crowds and honouring the contribution American air and ground crews made to the war effort whilst operating from bases across Britain, this aircraft may well be big in stature, but is completely dependent on the drive and determination of a small group of people who are dedicated to keeping this aircraft flying in UK skies, with one lady in particular leading her steadfast crew, Elly Sallingboe.
We can’t tell you how delighted we are to be adding this magnificent model to our Aviation Archive range, and look forward to bringing you further updates on the project, and the tireless work of the Sally B Supporters Club within forthcoming editions of DCD.
For now though, let’s just celebrate the fact that ‘Sally B’ will soon be available as a 1:72nd scale collectable die-cast model, surely destined to become one of the best loved models in the history of Aviation Archive.
When it comes to aircraft stalwarts of the UK Airshow scene, one magnificent machine stands head and shoulders above all others, an aircraft which made its first display appearance over 50 years ago, and is still thrilling crowds to this day. Incredibly, this aircraft doesn’t benefit from any form of government sponsorship support, with its success being as much about the resolve and determination of the aircraft’s tireless owner, as it is about the fact that ‘Sally B’ is now the sole airworthy Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress in European skies. A mighty airborne tribute to the American airmen who flew from bases in Britain during the Second World War, it’s entirely appropriate that the aircraft calls IWM Duxford its home airfield, as the American Air Museum shares the same site, and also marks the significant contribution of British based US personnel during WWII.
Between them, they are responsible for encouraging thousands of visitors to the Cambridgeshire area each and every year, many from America, and many looking to tread in the same footsteps their wartime relatives did who served in Europe during the Second World War. The successful completion of B-17 ‘Sally B’s’ 50th display season was a proud achievement for this famous aircraft and the team who care for her, who despite plenty of setbacks over the years, remain determined in their resolve to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to see this magnificent aircraft in the sky.
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.
Link access to CORGI social media sites.
Thank you for continuing to support your CORGI Die-cast Diaries blog, as we head into our eleventh year of production. Our next edition is scheduled for publication on Friday 9th October.
Until next time, once again, thank you for your continued support.
