BUNDLEC44 USAF Ace William T Whisner Jr Collection
Product Info
This special Aviation Archive bundle collects two famous aircraft flown by American Ace William T. Whisner Jr during the Second World War and the Korean War.
Whisner Jr scored 15.5 victories flying the iconic P-51D Mustang in World War Two, and then a further 5 victories in the F-86 Sabre during Korea, becoming one of just seven USAF airmen to attain ‘Ace’ status in both wars.
What's Included
North American P-51D Mustang ‚'Moonbeam McSWINE' - Capt. William T. 'Bill' Whisner Jr
Product code: AA27709
This CORGI Aviation Archive 1:72 scale North American P-51D Mustang is a must-have for collectors of Second World War fighter aircraft, capturing the famous 'Moonbeam McSWINE' flown by ace pilot William T. 'Bill' Whisner Jr during his most heroic combat missions of 1944-45.
Featuring authentic markings and premium diecast construction, this exceptional model commemorates one of the few American pilots to achieve ace status in both the Second World War and the Korean War.
Ready to display straight from the box with no assembly required, this detailed replica brings aviation history to life in your collection.
Key Features
- Ready to display with no assembly required
- Premium 1:72 scale diecast construction
- Authentic 'Moonbeam McSWINE' markings from 1945
- Rotating propeller
- Includes display stand
History
William T. 'Bill' Whisner rose to prominence as the trusted wingman of legendary US ace George Preddy, before carving out his own remarkable legacy as one of America's most respected fighter pilots. His most spectacular achievement came on 21st November 1944 during a mission over the synthetic oil refineries at Merseburg, where he destroyed five FW190 fighters in just twenty frantic minutes of combat, with two more probably destroyed. This extraordinary feat earned him the Distinguished Service Cross.
Whisner's second DSC came on New Year's Day 1945 during the Luftwaffe's audacious 'Operation Bodenplatte' raid, when 65 enemy fighters attacked airfield Y-29 Asch in Belgium. Taking off in his faithful Mustang 'Moonbeam McSWINE', he immediately engaged approaching enemy aircraft. Before his undercarriage had fully retracted, he was already firing at a Focke Wulf Fw190, sending it crashing to the ground.
Moments later, enemy cannon shells struck his fighter, but despite the damage, Whisner refused to disengage. He stayed with his battered Mustang to claim a second Focke Wulf and two Messerschmitt Bf109s destroyed, bringing his total victory score to 15.5 aircraft. These would be Whisner's final victories of the Second World War, but his combat career was far from over.
He went on to become one of only seven US airmen to achieve ace status during the Korean War, this time flying the North American F-86A/E Sabre jet, cementing his place among the most accomplished fighter pilots in American military history.
Individual price: £59.99
- Item Length - Without Packaging (cm)
- 13.8
- Item Height - Without Packaging (cm)
- 3.5
- Item Width - Without Packaging (cm)
- 15.5
- Item Scale
- 1:72 Scale
- License line
- Produced under license from Boeing. Boeing, P-51 Mustang, the distinctive Boeing logos,product markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company.
- Finish
- Painted
North American F-86E Sabre - Eleanor ‚CHRISTINE / William T. 'Bill' Whisner Jr
Product code: AA35817
This 1:72 scale CORGI Aviation Archive North American F-86E Sabre represents one of the most significant jet fighters of the Korean War era, perfect for aviation enthusiasts and Cold War collectors.
Depicting Eleanor 'E' CHRISTINE, flown by distinguished ace pilot William T. 'Bill' Whisner Jr in 1952, this premium diecast model captures the sleek lines and authentic markings of this legendary fighter.
Ready to display straight from the box, this exceptional collectible requires no assembly and includes a display stand.
Key Features
- Ready to display - no assembly required
- Premium 1:72 scale diecast construction
- Authentic markings of William T. Whisner Jr's aircraft
- Silver finish with accurate period details
- Includes display stand
History
The post-war era saw victorious Allied nations harnessing captured German jet research to propel their own aviation technology forward, leading to a new generation of swept-wing fighters.
When tensions erupted into conflict on the Korean peninsula, the skies became a proving ground for the world's most advanced jets - the American F-86 Sabre and Soviet MiG-15. This would mark the first major aerial combat of the Cold War.
The US Air Force fielded not only the exceptional Sabre, a true pilot's aircraft, but also veteran airmen who had proven themselves in the Second World War. Among these accomplished pilots was William T. Whisner, already a 15.5 victory ace from WWII.
Flying North American's magnificent fighter over Korea, he claimed 2 enemy aircraft destroyed in the F-86A and 3 more in the later F-86E, with additional shared and damaged victories.
Whisner achieved the rare distinction of becoming one of only seven US airmen to earn 'Ace' status in two wars, and uniquely, the only pilot awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
The Sabre's dominance in Korean skies proved devastating to enemy forces. During a 32-month period of the war, the magnificent North American F-86 accounted for 792 of the over 800 Soviet-made MiG-15 fighters shot down by Allied airmen.
Individual price: £59.99
- Item Length - Without Packaging (cm)
- 16
- Item Height - Without Packaging (cm)
- 5.4
- Item Width - Without Packaging (cm)
- 16
- Item Scale
- 1:72 Scale
- License line
- Produced under license from Boeing. Boeing, F-86 Sabre, the distinctive Boeing logos,product markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company.
- Finish
- Painted
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Tech Specs
- Item Scale
- 1:72 Scale