Our newly tooled Corgi Showcase line is destined to become an icon of  aviation and is already making it’s mark worldwide. 14 years after development first started in the USA the first flight of an F-35A took place in December 2006. The F-35 was developed with the intention to replace the majority of US fighter jets with three variants (A, B and C) being designed to suit various combat missions. 10 countries worldwide have purchased a variation of the F-35 including the UK who so far own 15 of the F-35B which are used by both the RAF and the Royal Navy and are intended as a replacement for the Harrier GR9 and Tornado GR4.

An extremely capable main battle tank, the M48 Patton was the third US tank to be named after the famous WWII general George S Patton who was a strong advocate of the use of tanks on the modern battlefield. Introduced in 1953, the M48 would be used extensively by American forces during the Vietnam War, where it would perform well, but more in an infantry support role, as opposed to tank destroyer. It would also go on to be an export success, seeing service with around twenty countries all over the world, with many still in service during the last years of the 20^th Century.

One of the key requirements of the modern battlefield is to have mobile infantry units supporting their heavy armour, both to protect the tanks and to secure any territorial gains they may have made. During WWII, the most famous Allied armoured personnel carrier was the M3 Half Track series of vehicles, which were large enough to transport a fully armed squad of 12 troops and provide them with protection from small arms fire and shrapnel. Fast and extremely mobile, around 53,000 of these vehicles were built in several different combat configurations, proving to be one of the most useful armoured fighting vehicles of the war.

Arguably the most famous Allied tank of the Second World War, the American built M4 Sherman medium tank was produced in vast quantities, with almost 50,000 being built by the end of WWII. Fast and extremely reliable, the Sherman featured innovations such as an automatic gearbox and gyro-stabilised gun elevation – it was also built for ease of transportation, with four hoist points at each corner of the tank, allowing it to be loaded to and from cargo ships with ease. The Sherman may not have been a match for the mighty German Tigers and Panthers they faced following D-Day, but numerical superiority ensured they would ultimately prevail.

One of the most famous military light utility vehicles ever produced, the 4 wheel drive Willys Jeep was in widespread Allied service from 1941 onwards and has been described as ‘America’s greatest single contribution to modern warfare’. With 360,000 Willys MB vehicles produced, this fast and reliable off-road capable vehicle could be adapted to perform a huge variety of tasks and became a vital battlefield asset in almost every theatre of conflict. From reconnaissance and re-supply to casualty evacuation and officer transport, the Willys Jeep became a means of military mobility as important as the horse was during the Great War.

One of the world’s truly great tanks, the Panzer IV was in production throughout the Second World War and was built in greater numbers than any other German tank. Forming the backbone of Wehrmacht armoured divisions during WWII, this tank was continually improved during its service career and was fitted with a number of different main armament configurations, as well as forming the basis of several other fighting vehicles, such as tank destroyers, assault guns and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Despite being the oldest German tank still in service, the Panzer IV was the most numerous type encountered by the Allies following D-Day.

One of the most distinctive tanks of the Second World War, the British Churchill heavy infantry tank may have looked a little ungainly, but was actually an extremely capable fighting vehicle and one of the heaviest Allied tanks to see combat. Possessing exceptional hill climbing capabilities, the relatively slow, yet extremely reliable Churchill had frontal armour protection which was thicker that that used on the feared German Tiger and despite first entering service in 1941, large numbers of these tanks would be deployed following the D-Day landings. Several special purpose variants of the Churchill were also produced, which included flamethrower, bridge layer and bunker buster tanks.

Arguably the most famous tank in the history of warfare, the mighty German Tiger was a fearsome weapon, capable of destroying most Allied tanks at ranges far in excess of those where they could effectively return fire. Utilising the powerful 88mm tank gun and exceptional sighting optics, the Tiger took a heavy toll of Allied armour following its combat introduction on the Eastern Front in 1942, but these beasts were over-engineered and expensive to produce, resulting in only 1,347 tanks eventually being produced. Despite these relatively small numbers seeing combat, the Tiger tank created a battlefield legacy which endures to this day.

Although often overshadowed by the more famous Tiger tank, the Panther is generally regarded as Germany’s best tank of the Second World War. An effective combination of mobility, firepower and armoured protection, the Panther was originally developed to counter the success of the Soviet T-34 on the Eastern Front and despite initial problems associated with its rushed service introduction, would go on to become one of the most feared armoured adversaries on the battlefields of Europe. Much cheaper to produce that a Tiger, Wehrmacht units could receive five of these highly effective tanks for the price of a single Tiger I.

Originally conceived as a fast and mobile tank killer, the M8 Greyhound armoured car was not built to withstand the punishment it would receive at the hands of Germany’s main battle tanks and was therefore used more for reconnaissance patrols and armoured escort duties. Open turret variants of the Greyhound afforded their commander’s an exceptional view of the battlefield, although this feature was understandably less popular during poor weather conditions. Amazingly, one M8 is reported to have destroyed a mighty German King Tiger in December 1944, sneaking up behind it and firing three rounds into its engine before the Tiger’s turret could traverse round.

The diminutive M3 Stuart light tank occupies an important position in the history of WWII, as it was the first American tank made available to British and Commonwealth forces via the Lend-Lease programme - used in the North African campaign, the M3 proved to be an extremely reliable and relatively fast tank, earning the respect of British crews who quickly learned to use it to its best potential. The M3 would also be used by the Americans during their first tank versus tank engagements of WWII and despite being outclassed by most German tanks, would be used extensively in support and reconnaissance roles following the D-Day landings.

Germany’s heaviest operational tank of the Second World War, the mighty Tiger II or King Tiger weighed in at an astonishing 68 tons, even though it was still powered by the same 12 cylinder Maybach engine which powered the significantly lighter Tiger I. Built around a new long barrelled 88mm anti-tank gun, the Tiger II was perhaps the ultimate development of the tank during WWII and was superior to any Allied tank in service. Introduced just weeks after D-Day, these fearsome machines were never available in enough numbers to make a difference on the battlefield and for the cost of one King Tiger, the Allies could produce nine M4 Shermans.

Corgi Showcase is a series of top quality die-cast model aircraft suitable for children aged three and over. Each model comes with a display stand and all classic aircraft have a moving propeller. This series is ideal for the young aviation fan and offers a wide range of models to collect including biplanes, fighters, bombers and modern jets.

Two generations of Top Gun pilots combine in this exciting double die-cast model pack!

In the mid-80s, LT Pete ""Maverick"" Mitchell and LTJG Nick ""Goose"" Bradshaw are an unstoppable team flying their F14 Tomcat, landing a slot at the prestigious United States Navy Fighter Weapons School – more popularly known as ‘Top Gun’.

Over thirty years later, “Goose’s” son LT Bradley ""Rooster"" Bradshaw follows in his father’s footsteps after graduating from ‘Top Gun’, while flying his own F18 Hornet.

Wingspan

• F-14: 110mm
• F-18: 80mm

Two stunning aircraft flown by CAPT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell are the stars of this officially licensed movie die-cast double model pack!

Over thirty years since graduating from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School – more popularly known as ‘Top Gun’ – “Maverick” is now an instructor training a new generation of pilots. At the school he pilots a striking blue and black liveried F18 Hornet, while in his downtime “Maverick” continues indulging his love of flight by taking to the skies in his own personal P51D Mustang.

Wingspan

• P-51: 90mm
• F-18: 80mm

The air combat experiences of US pilots during the Vietnam War led directly to the establishment of the Lightweight Fighter Programme and the eventual introduction of one of the truly great post war fighter aircraft, the superb General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon. Even though the aircraft still looks cutting edge and is in widespread service across the world, it seems strange to describe the F-16 as a 'classic aeroplane', but that is exactly what it is. Introduced in 1978, the F-16 is now entering its 42nd year of service and is the world's most numerous fixed-wing aircraft type in current military use. Entering service several years after the F-16, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet was the product of the US Navy's search for a cost effective, highly agile fleet defender, which would be capable of taking on several different roles from the demanding environment of the deck of a US Navy aircraft carrier. Following in the aviation footsteps of such classic McDonnell Douglas designs as the A-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle, the Hornet has proved to be one of the world's most effective naval aircraft and as an integral part of America's mighty carrier strike groups, is never too far away from any global conflict hot spots.

Produced under licensed. (Vehicle/Aeroplane Models) the distinctive logos, product markings, and trade dress are all trademarks of The Boeing Company.

LOCKHEED MARTIN, (Vehicle/Aeroplane Models) associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Hornby Hobbies Ltd.

As the most advanced fighter aircraft available to the Royal Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War, the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire formed the backbone of Fighter Command, as they prepared to face the might of the German Luftwaffe during the summer of 1940. Representing slightly different eras of aviation technology, the Spitfire was the very latest all metal design, more costly and time consuming to produce, but deadly in the air. By comparison, the Hurricane still employed many of the construction methods used on the biplane fighters of the 1930s and was much quicker and cheaper to produce than the Spitfire – it was also easier to repair should an aircraft sustain damage during combat operations. Between the two, they proved a winning combination in the skies above southern England, with the Spitfires usually engaging the more agile Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters wherever possible, leaving the more numerous Hurricanes to deal with the bombers.

Interestingly, whilst the Spitfire is always lauded as the saviour of the Battle of Britain, it was actually the Hawker Hurricane which claimed more enemy aircraft destroyed during the Battle of Britain than all of Britain's other defences combined, including the more famous Spitfire. As the aircraft of Winston Churchill's famous 'Few', the Spitfire and Hurricane protected Britain during her most pressing hour of need.

The RAF Red Arrows are arguably the best known aerobatic team in the world and have been wowing audiences for over fifty years. Their precision flying combinations are legendary and for many the thrilling opposition manoeuvres of the Synchro Pair are a highlight of their display. The Red Arrows are the public face of the Royal Air Force and are superb ambassadors for the United Kingdom.