Corgi: 1/72 Gloster Meteor F.1, EE216/YQ-E, T.D. ‘Dixie’ Dean, RAF No.616 Squadron and Fieseler F- 103 V-1 ‘Doodlebug’ 4th August 1944

Under the cloak of extreme secrecy, Britain had been testing the viability of a jet-powered fighter since early 1941, with the Gloster E28/89 Pioneer proving that this was indeed possible. The race was now on to produce an effective, operational jet fighter, at a time when every available resource was required for the war effort and experimental technology was a luxury that often proved to be more of a distraction. Work continued apace and the twin engined Gloster Meteor neared a test flight.

This work was so highly classified, that any test flight required the roads around the airfield to be sealed off by the local constabulary and all residents ushered away from the immediate vicinity. All non-essential personnel were forced to leave the airfield for the duration of the test flight, even though they would have clearly seen (and heard) the strange new aircraft once it was in the air! Following completion of the flight and the safe recovery of the aircraft, life could get back to normal.

Specifics:

• Scale: 1:72
• Limited Edition: Yes
• Limited Edition Size: 1,500
• Wingspan: 180mm
• Age Suitability: 14+

Corgi's famous model vehicles captured the imagination of millions of baby boomers and, what were once simply toys for boys, are highly sought-after in the expanding collectables market.