"NO. 10 SQ." ENGLISH CANBERRA B.MK.2

AVIATION ARCHIVE COLLECTION "THE SUEZ CRISIS"

The Corgi "Aviation Archive" is the definitive scale model collection charting the history of flight and commemorating significant military and civil aircraft and events from the early pioneering years to the present day. Using original plans and rare archive material, each aircraft and livery has been meticulously researched and authenticated to bring you, the aviation enthusiast the finest range of collectible model aircraft. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the models feature rubber tires, interchangeable undercarriage and high quality livery details. Beautifully packaged, each replica comes with a sturdy display stand and certificate of authenticity.

HISTORICAL NOTE:    In anticipation of hostilities, five squadrons of Canberras were deployed to Luqa, Malta, and a further seven to Cyprus, including No.10 Squadron. The Israeli forces opened hostilities when they invaded Egypt on 28/29 October. This led the way for Canberra bombing operations to commence in order to neutralise the Egyptian Air Force. With so many aircraft in the area, it was important to identify friendly forces involved in the conflict, so all British, French and Israeli aircraft were hastily painted with black and yellow stripes on the wings and fuselages, much the same as was done for ‘D-Day’. This was an afterthought and the RAF ran out of yellow paint, having to improvise with white paint as applied to WH640’s stripes. The strike operations by the Canberras and Valiants were successful, with only the loss of one Canberra aircraft. “Operation Musketeer” as it was called, continued until 5th November 1956, when Allied forces regained control of Suez. WH640 was one of No.10 Squadron’s Canberra B.Mk.2s, which was based at RAF Honington, Suffolk in 1956 and deployed to Nicosia, Cyprus in October of that year to participate in “Operation Musketeer”.

INFO:    RAF HONINGTON, SUFFOLK, NICOSIA, CYPRUS, 1956
SCALE:    1:72
WING SPAN:   12.0  INCHES

Item Number: AA34701                                                                                                                     Price: $79.95