Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA39105
Westland Whirlwind HAR.Mk 1 Diecast Model
RN, XA868 , HMS Protector, 1963

The pace of fixed wing aviation development throughout the Second World War was quite simply breath-taking and clearly illustrated the importance aeroplanes would have during this and any future conflict, but as these aircraft became faster and larger, a new type of aircraft was also beginning to finally show its true potential. The US Sikorski R-4 was the world's first massed produced helicopter and the only Allied aircraft of its kind to see service during WWII - it also proved how flexible the helicopter was in a number of applications.

The race was now on to develop a larger design which possessed the power and range to deliver both troops and supplies, with the 1949 Sikorski H-19 Chickasaw proving to be the breakthrough design the helicopter world had been looking for. Stable and powerful, this significant aircraft became the US Army's first true transport helicopter and the envy of the aviation world, with Britain being a particularly keen admirer. Having evaluated a number of aircraft, a licence agreement was duly signed to allow Westland Aircraft to produce the helicopter for the British military - known as the Whirlwind, the first British build prototype flew in August 1953.

Westland Whirlwind HAR.Mk 1
Designed as a British-built version of the Sikorsky S-55 Chickasaw, the Westland Whirlwind was licensed in 1950 and first flew in August 1953. Used by the Royal Air Force's Fleet Air Arm, early models served as search and rescue aircraft, or in other non-combat roles such as communications. Equipped with more powerful engines, Whirlwinds also served as anti-submarine aircraft; they could either by equipped as "hunters" (carrying submarine detecting dipping Sonar) or as "killers" (carrying a single torpedo). The Whirlwind can carry six stretchers or 10 passengers, and can also be used to carry freight. Westland built 400+ Whirlwinds, 100 of which were exported.
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Corgi's 1:72 H-19/Whirlwind is constructed almost entirely in diecast metal with some plastic components used for scale replication such as its large multi-window canopy and rotor blades. The cargo bay door slides opens to reveal interior crew seating with pilot figures clearly seen through the top mounted canopy. An unusual feature of this model are the two easily changeable all metal rotor head assemblies that allow the model to be display with rotor blades folded back for storage or deployed for flight. The series covers the radial-engined Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw variants and the turbine-engined Westland Whirlwind variants.

Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.

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.
Interchangeable 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, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.

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