Corgi AA38212A Douglas AC-47 Gunship, 43-49770 'Spooky 71', Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, February 24 1969

Name: Cheltenham Model Centre
Telephone: +44 (0)1242 523 117 or 234 644

Product Code: AA38212A

Manufacturer Number: AA38212A
Condition: New
Category: Models, Aircraft
Brand: Corgi
Range: Corgi RIAT 2026
Era: 1960s
Construction: Diecast Model
Scale: 1:72
Type Of Aircraft: Douglas AC47

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Release Date: TBC

Est Price:

£134.99

You can secure this item at NO COST, with the the full balance payable before delivery or collection.

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In the dark night skies over Vietnam, a terrifying new weapon had been introduced by American forces trying to protect their troops on the ground, a combination of older aeroplanes and cutting edge technology that resulted in the creation of fire spewing dragons capable of laying down 6,000 rounds of suppressing fire every minute.

The venerable Douglas C-47 Skytrain had been modified to become one of the most feared weapons of the conflict, however, 'Spooky' crews wouldn#t always have it their own way.

On the night of 24th February 1969, the crew of gunship 43-49770 'Spooky 71' had been called to provide fire support for troop under attack at Long Binh, but whilst doing so, their aircraft had taken a direct mortar round hit in the right wing, resulting in a gaping hole and the aircraft being peppered with 3,500 shrapnel holes.

The aircraft lurched violently and the fire crew were thrown off their feet, all suffering from multiple shrapnel wounds. Bleeding profusely, Airman First Class John Levitow could see one of his crewmates was in danger of falling out of the open cargo door, and fought through the pain of his wounds to drag him to a safer position.

Unfortunately, he also saw that the flare his colleague had been trying to throw out of the aircraft prior to the mortar hit had blown back into the cabin and was smoking, about to detonate. He threw his body on top of the flare and slowly ushered it towards the open door using his last reserves of strength, rolling it into the night sky seconds before it detonated.

For his heroic, selfless actions which saved both his aircraft and crewmates, John Levitow was rightfully awarded the Medal of Honor. Despite the drama and devastation in the night sky above the Long Binh US Army post, the aircraft did manage to make it back to its home base safely, where ground crews were able to assess the damage from the mortar strike, and count every one of the 3,500 shrapnel holes which peppered the wings and fuselage of the aircraft.

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Welcome

We have been in business for over 40 with the shop located in a few different places around the town in that time. We are now located at the Eastern end of Cheltenham High Street.

As well as stocking the latest plastic kit, diecast and model railway releases we have a big selection of slot cars and modelling tools.

We are able to carry out repairs on radio control cars & model railway locos, including DCC & DCC Sound fitting.

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Cheltenham Model Centre

39 High Street
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 1DX
England

+44 (0)1242 523 117 or 234 644
sales@cheltenhammodelcentre.com

Corgi AA38212A Douglas AC-47 Gunship, 43-49770 'Spooky 71', Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, February 24 1969

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