Avro Lancaster B.Mk III Diecast Model
RAF No.617 (Dambusters) Sqn, "N for Nan", Les Knight, Eder Dam, Germany, Operation "Chastise" May 16th 1943, w/Working Targetting Spotlights
Limited Edition
Item #:  CG-AA32615

Surely one of the most amazing attacks of the World War II was ‘Operation Chastise’, the attack by Lancasters of 617 Sqn against the German Ruhr valley dams using the famous bouncing bomb. Following the successful attack on the Mohne Dam, Guy Gibson led 5 Lancasters to the Eder. This dam was situated in extremely difficult terrain and as the aircraft struggled to line up on their target, one was destroyed as it was caught in the blast of an exploding bomb. Pilot Officer Les Knight was flying ‘N for Nan’ and he was charged with the final bombing run. The two previous mines had failed to breach the dam, but must have weakened the structure. Knight lined up his Lancaster and brought to bear all his training into this one final effort. His aim was true and at 2am on 17th May 1943 the Eder Dam was breached!

The aircraft were adapted Avro Lancaster Mk IIIs, known as B Mark III Special. To reduce weight, much of the armour was removed, as was the mid-upper turret. The substantial bomb and its unusual shape meant that the bomb doors were removed and the bomb itself hung, in part, below the body of the aircraft. It was mounted in two crutches and before dropping, it was spun up to speed by an auxiliary motor. Bombing from 60 ft (18 m) at 240 mph (390 km/h), at a very precise distance from the target, required expert crews, intensive night and low-altitude flight training, and the solutions to two technical problems. The first was to know when the aircraft was the correct distance from the target. The two key dams at Möhne and Eder had a tower at each end. A special aiming device (a device with two prongs making the same angle as the two towers at the correct distance from the dam) showed when to release the bomb. The second problem was to measure the aircraft's altitude (the usual barometric altimeters lacked sufficient accuracy). Two spotlights were mounted, one under the nose and another under the fuselage, such that at the correct height their light beams would converge on the surface of the water.

A large number of diecast metal components have been used in Corgi’s Avro Lancaster series, which includes many variants. All crew positions are occupied—there is a pilot and navigator in the cockpit, a bombardier lying prone behind the perspex nose cupola and gunners occupying the rotating turrets. The overall presentation of this model has led to its popularity, from the accurate recreation of the Lancaster’s distinctive airframe to the simulated fabric control surfaces with photo-etched metal aileron trim linkages and twin oval rudders. A heavily constructed all-metal display stand is included to support this massive aircraft for in-flight display.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series

Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Optional extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
• Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
• Detailed pilot and crew member figures.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Selected interchangeable features such as airbrakes, opened canopies and access panels.
• Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.