CORGI AA37810 1/48 ALBATROS D.V 2111/17 ‘M’ MARTIN MALLMANN JASTA 19 ‘LES TANGOS’ WESTERN FRONT SHOT DOWN BY ‘THE GRIM REAPERS’JAN 1918 - IN STOCK The French and volunteer American pilots who patrolled the Reims sector of the Western Front during the Great War were only too familiar with the various German fighter squadrons which would enter their airspace, usually in support of the latest land offensive. Often referred to by the markings they carried, their aerial adversaries were simply known as "The Reds, the Checkerboards or the Greens", but one unit which seemed to engage with them for longer than any other were the Albatros fighters of Jasta 19. With their lacquered plywood fuselages giving them an orangey appearance in the air, they were known as "Les Tangos" byAllied airmen, who regularly fought them for control of their sector of the battlefield. Giving up a position as a flight instructor in Berlin, Martin Mallmann requested transfer to an operational unit and arrived on the Western Front in the Spring of 1917. By 19th January 1918, he stood on the verge of gaining the coveted "Ace" status, with four victories already to his name, however, on that fateful day, he would fall to the guns of a young French airman who was himself looking for his fifth "Ace making" aerial victory. In combat with the Spads of Escadrille Spa 94 "The Reapers", Mallmann's Albatros D.V 2111/17 was brought down north of Manre-Beine, the victory was jointly credited to Pierre Marinovitch and his squadron mate, American volunteer pilot Austen Ballard Crehore. Following the introduction of the Fokker Eindecker and the world's first purpose built fighter aircraft, aviation developed at a dramatic rate over the next few years as the air forces of both the Allied and Central Powers understood the importance of air superiority. At that time, however, aircraft were still relatively primitive in design, with these aerial duels taking place less than fifteen years after the Wright Brothers had made their historic first powered flight. Using relatively low calibre machine guns and with little or no protection for airmen, the fighting in the clouds was a very personal affair, with luck playing a huge part in whether pilots went on to become an ace, or another name added to the growing casualty statistics. The arrival of the Albatros series of fighters at units on the Western Front, gave the Luftstreitkrafte a significant fighting advantage which would last for several months, however, the pace of aviation development ensured that Britain and France were already close to introducing their own impressive new fighters. By the beginning of 1918, the period of Albatros domination was over and it would not be until the arrival of large numbers of the new Fokker D.VII fighter that the Germans had an aircraft capable of getting the better of Allied fighter units. Albatros D.V Designed by Robert Thelen then refined and lightened, the Albatros D.V was the preeminent fighter during the period of German aerial dominance- first flown in 1917. Fundamental version improvements in wing design such as mounting the radiator in the center of the upper wing section, improved pilot visibility- critical in dog fighting tactics. The Albatros could now attain altitudes of over 3,000 feet in only five minutes and with improved stability and firepower and the Albatros system continued to dominate the skies. The Allies responded to the success of the Albatros series with new fighters including the SPAD VII, Sopwith Camel, S.E.5a, Bristol F2B, and others. Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honoured. Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature: Diecast metal construction with some plastic components. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details. Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals. Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels. Poseable presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight". Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity. Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures. Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards. Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels. Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings. Limited Edition model – certificated 1,300 produced worldwide. The photos in this listing are from our own library, the model you will receive is brand new and sealed. Buy Gone World are more than happy to post items worldwide, postage for the item/s will be established at point of sale/interest and will be messaged to each member when asked. Buy Gone World does offer discounts for multiple purchases, this includes International Posting. PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER LISTINGS - MANY ARE DESIRABLE AND RARE MODELS YOU DO NOT SEE ANYMORE - WE HAVE MORE THAN 2,000 SOLD OUT MODELS IN STOCK WITH US - ALL ARE STILL NEW UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. 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