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 The Corgi Aviation Archive Club has chosen a rare bird for our last Captive Eagle series of exclusive Club models. AA36208 Gloster Gladiator ‘Captive Eagle' is due to land in the first week of July and you can pre-order it now by completing the order form included with this issue of Flight Recorder.
The men and machines that took part in the aerial duels of WWII are a source of constant fascination for a great many aviation enthusiasts. The aircraft from this era are arguably the most popular in the history of flight and one of the most intriguing areas of the conflict was the use of captured aircraft by opposing air forces. These were highly prized by their captors, often delivering the latest enemy technology into their hands. The captured aircraft were duly carried off for exhaustive evaluation and then flown against their own fighters to develop effective attack techniques. The opportunity to assess the enemy's aircraft was of great interest to all parties in the conflict in order to keep ahead of the opposition! As one of our aviation experts has recently commented, there is something  strangely appealing about an Allied aircraft wearing Luftwaffe markings. Perhaps this was because we were cleverer at making sure they did not fall into German hands, so they became a rare commodity. From a diecast model perspective, captured aircraft have not often been the chosen livery choice, which is probably why the Corgi Aviation Archive Collectors Club ‘Captured Eagles' have proved so popular and remain amongst the most desirable models in the hobby. Our unusual releases to date have already brought collectors a British Focke Wulf, a captured Stuka, a Luftwaffe operated Hawker Typhoon and more recently, a beautiful Hawker Hurricane in full Luftwaffe markings. All produced in limited numbers, complete with full certification, the series is being rounded off with an equally unusual choice - a Gloster Gladiator Mk.I ‘NJ + BO', Erganzegruppe (S) 1, Luftwaffe 1942/43, widely known as ‘Goehring's Gladiator'. Our images are of the pre-production model and some minor inaccuracies have since been identified and corrected, so the actual production model will reflect these alterations. The beautiful Gloster Gladiator was possibly one of the most unlikely RAF aircraft to see service with the Luftwaffe. They came up against the foe during the Norwegian campaign and it is known that a number of Allied Gladiators were forced to make emergency landings on frozen lakes, following combat. Although there is no firm evidence available, it is thought these aircraft were too badly damaged to repair to flying condition but were nevertheless collected by Luftwaffe units for their components. The German invasion of the Soviet Union provided them with a number of Gladiator airframes, many of which were found to be in rather better condition. These were dismantled and transported by train to Germany, where they were inspected, assembled and repaired. They had previously been pressed into Soviet service and although the Gladiators were given full Luftwaffe markings, they still retained some of the green paint applied by their previous owners. It also became clear to historians that the most likely source of the Gladiators was from the Latvian Air Force, as a large swastika was found painted underneath the Soviet star! The Luftwaffe Gladiators were used in a variety of training and clandestine roles before being retired in 1943, probably as a result of severe lack of spares and the turning tide of the war. Obtain your own piece of WWII history with our final Captive Eagle. In 1:72 scale and with a certificate, individually numbered 1 - 1000, the model is decorated in its captive German colours with a Soviet AF Green engine cowling and wheel hubs. The distinctive engine cowling front also replicates the brass finish of the original. This collectable piece is presented in our bespoke pale blue packaging. Turn to our Reader Offers section in this issue for details of price and how to order.
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