Franklin Mint Armour Collection B11E354 - 1/48 RAAF P40N Curtiss Kittyhawk Cresswell 77 Sqn

Diecast Model Aircraft

Very rare

Photos form part of description. Take note of condition of box. Shelf wear. More photos on our page than on eBay due to eBay having a max of 24 photos only. Please look at those photos before deciding to purchase.

The P-40E-1 was produced for service with the RAF under Lend-Lease, where it was known as the Kittyhawk. The aircraft served primarily in the Middle East and Far East, where it was the first fighter equipment for the RAAF.

As the Japanese advanced in the Southwest Pacific during early 1942, the RAAF hurriedly established three fighter units: 75, 76 and 77 Squadrons, quipped with Curtiss P-40E-1 Kittyhawk's recently delivered from the United States. 77 Squadron was formed on March 16, 1942, at RAAF Station Pearce, Western Australia, where it was responsible for the air defense of Perth. 

The squadron moved to Darwin in August 1942, when the USAAF 49th Fighter Group began its move to New Guinea. By this time, the Japanese had reduced air activity over Darwin as the war in the Southwest Pacific required that units based in Indonesia move to Rabaul to counter the invasion of Guadalcanal.

77 Squadron initially operated from Batchelor Airfield near Darwin, as the first RAAF fighter unit to be stationed in the area, moving to Livingstone Airfield in September. Among the pilots in the unit was John Gorton, future Prime Minister of Australia.

77 Squadron defended Darwin from Japanese air raids and claimed its first aerial victory just after 5 a.m. on November 23, 1942, when the CO, Squadron Leader Richard Cresswell, a Mitsubishi G4M1 "Betty" bomber. It was the first victory for an RAAF squadron over the mainland, and the first night victory over Australia.

Cresswell’s P-40E-1 is well-known for the spectacular artwork it carried - four flags of the RAAF, Australia, the Union Jack and the United States flag, all blowing in the wind. Cresswell kept the artwork by transferring the panels to the Kittyhawk IV he later flew.

Along with 75 and 76 Squadrons, 77 Squadron moved to New Guinea in February 1943, when the Spitfires of 1 Wing became operational at Darwin.

The Franklin Mint P-51 Mustang is hand painted, hand assembled precision die-cast model of the legendary aircraft that changed the course of WW11. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity as seen in photos. 

Product Id: B11E354