For generations, people have traveled to air shows, museums, and Commemorative Air Force (CAF) events to see the CAF’s historic aircraft up close. Soon, two of the most recognizable aircraft in the CAF fleet will be small enough to take home.
CORGI, one of the world’s best-known names in die-cast aviation collectibles, has opened pre-orders for the first two aircraft in its new multi-year collaboration with the Commemorative Air Force: The P-51 Mustang Old Red Nose and the AC-47 gunship Spooky 086.
The choices are anything but accidental, according to CAF officials.
“Together, the two aircraft tell a remarkable story about where the CAF began and where it is going,” they explained.
CAF P-51 Mustang Red Nose
It is hard to imagine a more fitting aircraft to launch the collection than Old Red Nose, CAF officials said. In 1957, what would become the Commemorative Air Force began with the acquisition of a single P-51 Mustang. From that one fighter grew an organization that today cares for more than 180 historic military aircraft and works to keep the stories of the people who built, flew, maintained, and supported them alive. That first Mustang is still here.
Today, P-51D Mustang 44-73843, better known as Red Nose, is operated by CAF Airbase Georgia and remains one of the most recognizable aircraft in the CAF fleet. Now CORGI has recreated the Mustang as a 1:72-scale die-cast model.
CAF AC-47 Spooky
If Red Nose represents where the CAF began, the second model represents where its mission is headed. The CAF Gulf Coast Wing’s AC-47 Spooky 086 is one of the newest additions to the CAF fleet and an important part of the organization’s growing effort to preserve and interpret the aviation history of the Vietnam War, according to officials.
CORGI’s 1:72-scale model captures Spooky 086 in its distinctive split livery, reflecting the appearance of the CAF aircraft that audiences will increasingly see at events around the country. The number “086” carries special meaning. The CAF aircraft itself did not serve as Spooky 086 during the Vietnam War. Instead, the number was chosen in remembrance of the 86 AC-47 crew members who lost their lives during operations in Southeast Asia.
That makes this model more than a representation of a newly restored CAF aircraft. Like the airplane itself, it helps carry the story of the AC-47 and the people who served aboard these gunships to a new audience, CAF officials said.
With the first models now revealed, the CAF GiftShop has opened pre-orders so collectors can reserve theirs ahead of the general release.
For more information: CAFGiftShop.org
You Can Help Choose What Comes Next
Work is already underway to determine which CAF aircraft could join the collection next and, this time, aviation enthusiasts are helping make the choice. The CAF is asking members, fans, and collectors to vote for the CAF B-25 Mitchell they would most like to see recreated as a future CORGI model. You can see the choices here.
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