Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina Patrol Aircraft "Miss Pick Up 5th ERS 8th AF Halesworth" (1945) United States Army Air Forces "The Aviation Archive" Seri
Brand new 1/72 scale diecast model of Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina Patrol Aircraft "Miss Pick Up 5th ERS 8th AF Halesworth" (1945) United States Army Air Forces "The Aviation Archive" Series die cast model by Corgi. Brand new box. Detailed exterior. Has landing gear. True-to-scale detail. Has opening canopy. Detailed crew figures. Includes display stand. Officially licensed product. Manufacturers original unopened packaging. Dimensions approximately Length- 10.75 Wingspan- 17.25 inches. Diecast metal and plastic construction for durability and a heavy realistic feel. It is a highly detailed and accurate model perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of military history. Realistic panel lines antennas access panels and surface details for an authentic representation of the real-life airplane. HISTORY ASPECTS:The Consolidated OA-10A Catalina a variant of the PBY Catalina was a critical asset for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. Designed primarily for air-sea rescue operations the OA-10A provided a lifeline to downed airmen and stranded personnel in both the European and Pacific theaters. One such aircraft famously known as Miss Pick Up was assigned to the 8th USAAF and operated out of Halesworth England. This aircraft played a crucial role in retrieving pilots who had been forced to ditch in the frigid waters of the English Channel and the North Sea where survival depended on rapid rescue.Throughout the war OA-10A Catalinas like Miss Pick Up operated under hazardous conditions often flying long-range patrols over hostile waters to locate and recover Allied aircrews. The aircraft’s amphibious capabilities allowed it to land on water making it ideal for its rescue mission. Despite the ever-present threat of enemy fighters and rough sea conditions these