New B-26 Marauding into D-Day 80th Anniversary commemorations
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.
With next week marking the 80th Anniversary of ‘Operation Overlord’ and the D-Day landings, there really could only be one subject for this latest edition of the Corgi blog, our latest die-cast tributes to this historic commemoration. Taking star billing this time around is our latest new 1/72nd scale Aviation Archive tooling project which is scheduled for release a little later this summer, but one which serves as the perfect scale collectable model tribute to this year’s D-Day commemoration events. With a host of new and exclusive imagery to bring you, we will be featuring pictures of an advanced production example of our new Martin B-26B Marauder, in addition to discussing why this fabulous new model makes for the perfect new tooling addition to the Aviation Archive range.
With the D-Day Squadron having flown all the way from the US to take part in this summer’s series of events planned to mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, we will also be taking a look back at a legacy Aviation Archive model release, one which was our die-cast tribute to the aircraft which led D-Day during the early hours of 6th June 1944, and aircraft which incredibly, is still flying to this day, a unique link back to that most historic of days.
Sandwiched between these two Aviation Archive heavyweight features, we have another selection of exclusive advanced production sample model pictures to bring you, this time featuring a model pairing which proved to be a popular addition to the 2024 range as soon as it was announced just a few weeks ago. With our website product page and catalogue images featuring pre-production sample models of this Ford Capri and Granada pairing, we will be addressing a collector concern which arose following the publication of those original images with this latest project update, in addition to showing you examples of the finished product packaging.
It’s a Corgi model update weekend once again, so please settle back to enjoy a pleasant minute of two running through all our latest die-cast developments.
D-Day appointment for B-26 Marauder ‘Dinah Might’
An exclusive first look at an advanced production sample model of the new Martin B-26B Marauder – isn’t she a beauty!
Over the coming few days, the world will once again be reminded about the brave souls who embarked on a ‘Great Crusade’ almost exactly 80 years ago, when a mighty Allied Expeditionary Force set out for the beaches of Normandy and the opening a second front which was intended to eventually bring about the complete destruction of the German war machine. Facing untold dangers, poor weather and operational delays, this mighty force had been assembled under the strictest secrecy, with the success of the mission relying as much on deception, misinformation and surprise, as it did the troops taking part. For many people, D-Day immediately conjures up images of a massive naval force and brave Allied troops storming five landing beaches across a 50 mile stretch of Normandy coastline from the Cherbourg Peninsula to Merville, however, this was a combined services operation and whilst the landing beaches were awash with troops and their equipment, the skies were similarly full of aircraft.
Although we tend to think of D-Day as a single day when the Allies gained a foothold in enemy occupied France, planning for this historic operation began many months prior to the first troops landing on Normandy beaches and was heavily reliant on air power. Allied air forces embarked on a systematic campaign targeting Germany’s ability to fight and respond to the coming invasion, be that the destruction of defensive structures within the landing area, or the destruction of the German aviation industry deeper into Germany itself, all the time careful to avoid giving any clues as to the potential location of the proposed amphibious assault. If they could keep the Germans guessing, the defenders couldn’t concentrate their forces in the right location, something which would allow them vital time to establish and reinforce their beachheads.
After months where the Allies had bombed a multitude of German targets by day and night and mounted fighter sweeps in an attempt to clear Northern France of any cohesive Luftwaffe opposition, D-Day itself would see around 11,590 Allied aircraft allocated to supporting the amphibious operation, performing a multitude of tasks from delivering airborne troops in the early hours of D-Day, to the close air support strike fighters waiting to be called in to support troops fighting on the ground – the tide of war had turned and the Allies were determined to take this opportunity to flood the Normandy region with troops and equipment.
CAD screenshot of the new B-26 Marauder, a model Aviation Archive collectors have been hoping to see joining the range for many a year.
D-Day tribute, this box artwork mock up shows ‘Dinah Might’ making her famous D-Day bombing run, just seconds before assault troops hit the Normandy beaches.
D-Day would undoubtedly prove to be a significant turning point in the war and as such, has continued to be an enduring source of fascination for millions of people over the past 80 years, with the troops who took part earning both our admiration and gratitude. As a consequence, this year’s 80th Anniversary commemorations will bring the subject of D-Day to this already fascinated audience, but may also just spark interest in younger generations who will likely be discovering the incredible details of Operation Overlord for the first time.
As far as the Aviation Archive range is concerned, we wanted to do something a little but special to mark this year’s significant anniversary, not only by releasing a range of models specifically aimed at commemorating this 80th Anniversary, but also by introducing a new model tooling project, one we know Aviation Archive collectors have been hoping to see produced for many a year. We are delighted to say that our new 1/72nd scale Martin B-26B Marauder is now approaching a triumphant initial release and whilst it may not be here in time for the actual 80th Anniversary date, it isn’t far away now, and we can all look forward to placing one of these beauties in our display cabinets very soon.
In bringing DCD readers this latest project update, we’re also placing collectors on notice that the Marauder will soon be here and this will be the final pre-release update published in the Corgi blog. All the images we’re including this time feature an advanced production sample of the model and we have to say, even though it has taken quite some time to perfect, we are absolutely delighted with it. As the lead scheme commemorates a Marauder which had a particularly important role to play on D-Day, let’s take another look at the story of ‘Dinah Might’ now.
Martin B-26B-15-MA Marauder 41-31576/AN-Z 'Dinah Might', was given the critical task of leading an anti-beach fortification raid against Widerstandsnest 5 (Nest of resistance, or strongpoint) overlooking Utah beach only a couple of minutes prior to the troop laden landing craft heading for the landing beaches on D-Day itself, one of the final missions to take place prior to the landings. Flown by Major David Dewhurst, the experienced Commander of the 553rd Bomb Squadron, US 8th Air Force, this was one final opportunity to neutralise German defensive fortifications, therefore giving troops a better chance of making it off their assigned landing beach in the terrifying minutes and hours to come.
Dewhurst's aircraft, which was named 'Dinah Might' after a Bing Crosby tune of the day, would release its bombs at exactly 06.24.30 on D-Day, with navigation and timing being critical to the success of the mission and the safety of the men waiting to make their historic seaborne assault. Dewhurst would eventually complete 85 combat missions over Europe, prior to the end of the Second World War, making it back home to the US.
The details behind this final pre-beach landing bombing raid of D-Day clearly illustrate why the Utah Beach D-Day Museum have chosen to present their Marauder in this historic scheme and why it forms such a poignant centrepiece for their impressive museum. 'Dinah Might's' target on that fateful morning in June 1944 was only metres from where this magnificently preserved aircraft is displayed today, even though it's actually only a representation of the actual wartime aircraft which led the raid.
Another exclusive selection of images featuring an advanced production sample of the first release from the new Martin B-26B Marauder model tooling.
B-26B Marauder 41-31576/AN-Z 'Dinah Might' would continue flying operationally for just over five months following the two raids she completed on D-Day, making her final bombing raid on 18th November 1944. By this time, the Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group had moved to the former French Air Force base at Beaumont sur Oise, north of Paris, as these hard-working strike aircraft continued to be in great demand, as Allied ground troops pushed the occupying Germans back towards their homeland.
This time piloted by Captain Robert Harris and his crew, 'Dinah Might' was assigned the lead position in the high-level flight of a force which comprised 36 Marauders, all loaded with sixteen 250 lb general purpose demolition bombs and sent on a mission to destroy a significant storage depot near St. Wendel in Germany. After taking off at 11.15 hrs, forming up and joining up with their fighter escort, the formation of aircraft headed straight for their target and an expected shrapnel filled welcome at the hands of Luftwaffe flak batteries around the target area.
Approaching the target at around 12.40hrs, they did find the expected welcome from enemy flak units, however, cloud cover was found to be obscuring the target, so this was definitely not going to be a milk run. As they searched for a gap in the clouds, they even contemplated attacking their secondary target, but again, cloud cover was obscuring their aiming point there too. Finally at around 12.54 hrs, the target cleared sufficiently for bombs to be released, but not before several Marauders had been shot down by the accurate anti-aircraft fire.
In the high group, 'Dinah Might' had not escaped the attentions of the flak batteries and even though her bombs had been released, a huge sheet of flame was now engulfing the port wing of the bomber, as a shell had passed straight through the wing, causing critical damage. With the aircraft now doomed, all the pilot could do was to hold his ship straight and level, giving his crew enough time to bail out, all the time hoping it didn't simply explode. With everyone safely out, Captain Harris made good his own escape and managed to catch the final moments of his aircraft as his parachute inflated. He saw a large explosion rip the entire port wing away from the aircraft, sending the burning wreckage on an earthward spiral to its destruction.
More Marauding image exclusives of a new model which will make for a perfect die-cast way in which to commemorate this year’s D-Day 80th Anniversary.
The attack against the storage depot near St. Wendel proved to be a costly mission for the 386th, as three Marauders were shot down over Germany, a further one was completely destroyed in a landing accident back at base, with two more sustaining heavy damage whilst attempting to land. Of the 36 aircraft which set off, 25 of them had sustained some degree of battle damage. The crew of 'Dinah Might' were all taken into captivity and incredibly, every one of them had already completed at least 65 operational missions or more by that stage of the war.
Flown by heroic crews who faced incredible dangers every time their aircraft left the runway of their home stations, we like to think that in their own small way, our models help to preserve their history and the sacrifices they made on our behalf, in a scale die-cast way. At the very least, we hope they allow the famous aircraft which fought for mastery of the skies during two world wars, or helped preserve the peace before and after conflict, can take their places in display cabinets the world over, jumping out of history and reference books to provide us with a scale representation of these aircraft in a way only die-cast models can.
Our new Martin B-26B Marauder is now very much on finals and the next time we see it appearing in an edition of Die-cast Diaries is when we will be announcing the livery of the second model release. Start your engines, it’s nearly Marauder time.
Where the cars are the stars
A beautiful new collector’s set, our latest Screen Stars showcase a pair of classic Fords which proved rather popular with fans of a particular programme.
Over the past few years, our Vanguards range of high quality 1/43rd scale die-cast vehicle models have benefited from significant, continued investment, with an impressive number of new tooling projects joining its ranks as a consequence. In addition to gracing various Corgi ranges with individual Vanguards model releases, every now and then, these models are also used as the basis to create more robust presentations sets, ones which might include several different models in commemoration of a series of vehicles, or the race inspired pedigree of a particular manufacturer.
Sometimes, the odd Vanguards tooling even manages to traverse the very range structure of a modern Corgi, shedding their traditional VA product codes to inherit a CC code, but only in very special circumstances. Such a release recently made its debut in our current May to August range launch, the latest addition to our popular Screen Stars range of models, our scale representations of some of the famous vehicles from years past which have graced screens both large and small. From unsung heroes to true legends, this collection of models highlights the fact that in some cases, it’s actually the car or cars which are the true stars of a particular show.
As soon as our new Ford Capri Mk2 X-Pack and Ford Granada Mk2 2.8i Ghia set was announced at the beginning of this month, it immediately garnered strong support from both the collector community and our retail partners, but also caused some consternation amongst a number of eagle-eyed collectors. Although we did include confirmation of the situation in the launch review edition of DCD, we received quite a volume of messages from people concerned that the Capri featured in the catalogue image and on the model’s webpage was a left-hand drive configured car, which was obviously wrong and were we aware of it?
The sight of these latest advanced production sample model images will hopefully reassure collectors that the Capri has been produced correctly as a right-hand drive model.
A release of distinction deserves high quality packaging presentation and our latest Screen Stars pairing certainly has that.
As soon as we received the pre-production sample models from our production facility, we could see that they had inadvertently used the left-hand drive version of the Capri’s interior, which was the first item on the PP report subsequently sent back to them. Unfortunately, due to the late arrival of the samples and the need to include the models for range launch, we had to include them as received, even though we knew you lot would be all over it from the first second. The devil is always in the detail and this situation proves that not only are our Vanguards collectors expert in their field, but also how they’re always happy to help when they spot something they don’t thing is quite right.
The model images we are showing here feature the latest samples from our new Screen Stars release and even though there a still a couple of little areas which are currently attracting the attention of our development team, they do show the Capri correctly configured as a right-hand drive car. This latest selection of images also provides us with an opportunity to show the smart new packaging this attractive new set will benefit from, something which is becoming a valued feature of these highly collectable special releases.
As this latest selection of images show what are essentially production samples of this popular new set (save for a couple of details), lets take a look at the description details behind our latest Screen Stars release, particularly as it’s keeping two Aviation Archive related features apart in this edition.
CC91991 – Ford Capri Mk2 X-Pack and Ford Granada Mk2 2.8i Ghia.
All the models being shown here feature production sample models of both the Capri and Granada, with just a handful of minor changes to be actioned prior to full production.
In the late 1970s, Ford vehicles were among the most popular cars to appear on the streets of Britain, but also in television dramas that gathered millions of viewers around screens at home. Their presence on some of the top-rated shows of the era helped add to their desirability among the public but also secured their place as true classic cars.
Debuting in 1969, the Ford Capri Mk1 was intended as the European equivalent of the iconic Ford Mustang. The Mk2 arrived in 1974 with a revised and larger body compared to its predecessor while retaining the sports coupe’s attractive basic outline. The X-Pack performance option was introduced in 1977, featuring an upgraded engine and wider wheels which required a modified fibreglass body kit to contain the larger wheelbase, giving these vehicles distinctive and easily identifiable flared wheel arches.
The Ford Granada was developed as an executive car, debuting in 1972 and succeeding the Ford Zephyr in the same market space. The square bodied Mk2 version was produced between 1977 and 1985, though under the bodyshell there was little structural difference from the Mk1. The car featured a wide range of engine specifications, with the 2.8 litre V6 sitting at the peak of the available options. The car was a strong seller for Ford in the late 1970s, with numbers peaking in 1979 with over 50,000 vehicles sold.
In true Bamber Gascoigne style, your starter for ten is, can you name the programme in which this iconic motoring duo starred?
Our Aviation Archive tribute to the aeroplane which launched D-Day
Having spent the previous weekend meeting up with some old aviation friends from the other side of the Atlantic, and in view of next week’s D-Day 80th Anniversary commemorations, we had to end this latest edition of our blog by looking back at an Aviation Archive release which is now a prized possession within many a model collection, including some of the people who have just flown the actual aircraft on which it was based, across from America as part of the D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour.
Five years ago, we timed the release of a very special Douglas C-47A Skytrain model to coincide with the arrival of the actual aircraft which inspired its range inclusion, an aircraft which was making a monumental trans-Atlantic journey to take part in the 75th Anniversary commemorations of D-Day and the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The aircraft would be flying in UK skies for the first time since the end of the Second World War and from the perspective of aviation history, this was a big deal – this was the actual aircraft which led D-Day!
As she was equipped with specialist electronic navigational equipment, Douglas C-47A Skytrain ‘That’s All Brother’ was selected to lead a mighty force of paratrooper laden C-47s on the night of 5th/6th June 1944, dropping the men into Normandy behind enemy lines in advance of the main amphibious invasion force. Later thought to have been lost to history, this aircraft was discovered lying derelict many years later, but once her identity was discovered, was saved and restored to airworthy condition, unquestionably one of the most historic airworthy aircraft in the world today.
‘That’s All Brother’ has returned to the UK once again and is pictured here at the Old Warden event last weekend.
Although we thought back then that 2019 would be our one and only chance to see this magnificent aircraft here in the UK, she has made a return journey again for this year’s D-Day 80th Anniversary commemorations and it was such a treat to catch up with her again at an Old Warden event last weekend. Once again, I had the opportunity to go onboard the aircraft and speak with the crew who intrepidly brought her over via the North Atlantic ferry route to Britain once again and to not only discover that some of them remembered us from last time, but how many have our model of ‘That’s All Brother’ on display in their homes.
AA38210 – Douglas C-47A Skytrain 42-92847 ‘That’s All Brother’, 438th Troop Carrier Group, RAF Greenham Common, the night of 5/6th June 1944 – The aircraft which launched D-Day.
In order to ensure the defeat of Germany and bring about an end to the Second World War, the Allied powers knew that they would have to launch a full-scale assault against continental Europe, a military undertaking which was fraught with many dangers. In support of this plan, Allied aircraft began a concerted bombing campaign at the start of 1944, targeting aircraft and munitions manufacturing plants, in addition to attacking strategic targets across the intended landing areas, all designed to diminish Germany’s fighting capabilities. These attacks were always carefully masked by strong diversionary raids, so as not to give the Germans any indication as to where the anticipated Allied amphibious assault would be taking place. D-Day preparations were as much about diversions and deception as they were about direct military action.
Finally, after months of meticulous planning, the order was given to ‘GO’ and the invasion was on. At RAF Greenham Common in the late evening of 5th June 1944, paratroopers of the US 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions climbed aboard hundreds of Douglas C-47 Skytrains, as they prepared to drop into Normandy behind German lines in advance of the main seaborne invasion force, the spearhead of Operation Overlord. At the head of this mighty air armada and the aircraft which effectively launched D-Day, Douglas C-47A ‘That’s All Brother’ would lead a force of over 800 C-47 Skytrains over the next few hours, as she navigated through thick cloud and German defensive fire to deliver her precious cargo of brave paratroopers onto their designated strategic drop zones in Normandy and the opening combat operations of D-Day.
As one of the largest military operations in the history of warfare, the Allied D-Day invasion fleet of 6th June 1944 could rely on the support of an impressive, combined air force with around 11,590 aircraft available to Allied military planners in support of the invasion fleet. Arguably, the most famous individual aircraft involved in ‘Operation Overlord’ was Douglas C-47A Skytrain ‘That’s All Brother’, the aircraft which signified the start of D-Day and the eventual defeat of Germany. Equipped with the latest airborne radar equipment, this hugely historic aircraft was the first to take off from RAF Greenham Common on the night of 5th June, the lead aircraft at the head of a mighty force of US paratroopers who were about to cause havoc behind the invasion landing beaches.
It's thought that the name painted on the nose of the aircraft was linked to the significant role this aircraft was required to play on invasion night and was a message to Hitler, basically informing him that his murderous reign as Führer was about to come to an end. Damaged by flak during her historic mission, ‘That’s All Brother’ was duly patched up before flying a second mission on D-Day, towing a glider with troops of the US 82nd Airborne Division destined for the battle now raging across Normandy. She would also go on to see plenty of action in the months following D-Day, but after playing such an important role in bringing the Second World War to a close, the end of the war saw large numbers of aircraft now having no purpose.
Now a highly desirable Aviation Archive model release, AA38210 Douglas C-47A Skytrain 42-92847 ‘That’s All Brother’ is considered something of a classic and is set to become even more desirable in the years to come.
With the world wanting to put some distance between them and the horrors of a second world war, there was little thought given to the preservation of significant aircraft and ‘That’s All Brother’ returned to the US and was thought to have been scrapped. Incredibly, this aircraft appeared determined that it wasn’t going to disappear without a fight and a chance discovery made in an aircraft boneyard many years later started a process which eventually revealed her identity and the historic role she played on D-Day.
Later purchased by the Commemorative Air Force following a successful crowdsourcing appeal, ‘That’s All Brother’ became the subject of an ambitious restoration project, one which aimed to return this incredible aircraft to airworthy condition once more, to serve as a unique living link to one of the most famous nights in human history. Making her triumphant first post restoration flight in early 2018, ‘That’s All Brother’ must be considered one of the most important historic aircraft in the world today, and as you might imagine, is something of a crowd puller wherever she appears.
Flying across the Atlantic to take part in the ambitious ‘Daks over Normandy’ gathering of Douglas C-47s and DC3s during the summer of 2019, it was so nice to catch up with her again last weekend at the Shuttleworth Collection event, where four US based C-47 and DC-3s attracted enthusiasts from across the country, all desperate to get close to these incredibly historic aircraft.
Here at Corgi, we like to think that our models help to preserve aviation history in some small, scale way and with that, the bravery and sacrifice of the men who flew and fought in them can hopefully be discovered by generations of collectors to come. Knowing that one of the models we produced is cherished by the people who operate one of the world’s most historic airworthy aeroplanes is humbling in the extreme and proved to be a proud moment for the entire team to share.
We would all like to than the team behind ‘That’s All Brother’ for once again allowing us access to their magnificent aircraft at Old Warden last weekend, and for bringing her back to the UK once again for enthusiasts to admire. It must also be quite a poignant trip for them too, knowing that they will be in the country where their beloved aircraft took off from at the start of D-Day, 80 years ago this summer.
We’re afraid that's all we have for you in this latest edition, however, please join us again in two weeks’ 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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