Corgi 1:72 USAAC Curtiss P-40B Warhawk Fighter - George Welch, #AA28101

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Corgi 1:72 USAAC Curtiss P-40B Warhawk Fighter - George Welch, #AA28101:
$59.99

\"This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts, even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or close his conscience. I have said not once but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war; I say that again and again. I hope the United States will keep out of this war, I believe that it will. And I give you assurance and reassurance that every effort of your government will be directed toward that end. As long as it remains within my power to prevent there will be no blackout of peace in the United States.\"
- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, September 5th, 1939

The P-40 was the best known Curtiss-Wright designed airplane of the Second World War. It was also one of the most controversial fighters, vilified by many as being too slow, lacking in maneuverability, having too low a climbing rate, and being largely obsolescent by contemporary standards even before it went into production. The inadequacies of the P-40 were even the subject of a Congressional investigation after the War ended.

While these criticisms were certainly valid, it is also true that the P-40 served its country well, especially in China and Burma, during the opening phase of the War in the Pacific when little else was available to the US Army Air Corps. Along with the P-39 Airacobra, the P-40 was the only American fighter available in quantity to confront the Japanese advance until more modern aircraft could be delivered to frontline squadrons.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a USAAC Curtiss P-40B Warhawk fighter was piloted by 2nd Lt. George Welch, who was attached to the 47th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, then deployed to Wheeler Field, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7th, 1941. #AA28101

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-inches
Length: 5-1/2-inches

Features:
- Diecast construction
- Interchangeable landing gear
- Plexiglass canopy
- Spinning propeller
- Accurate markings and insignia
- Comes with display stand

Historical Account: \"Christmas Party Hangover\" - Following an extremely late night at the Squadron Christmas party the day previously, USAAF pilots George Welch and Kenneth Taylor woke to the sound of explosions and low flying aircraft. The date was December 7th, 1941 and the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was under attack. Still wearing their mess dress from the previous night, the men rang ahead to Wheeler Field, where their Squadron had been deployed for gunnery practice and instructed ground crews to prepare two P40 fighters for flight.

Driving their Buick at high speed and coming under fire from Japanese aircraft, the men arrived at Wheeler and immediately made for their aircraft - taking off beneath waves of attacking enemy aircraft, the two pilots fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, even landing to re-fuel and re-arm, only to take off and fight again. During a frantic few minutes, Welch destroyed four enemy aircraft, with Taylor accounting for at least a further two. For their heroic actions during the Pearl Harbor attack, George Welch and Kenneth Taylor were both awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

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