Aviation Center Australia

Military Die-Cast 1:72 Scale

Both Corgi 1:72 & Hobby Master 1:72 have been extensively updated. We could not list everything from these two categories in here.

Please Note: All items listed are in stock (except the Pre-Orders which are coming soon). Most recent are at the top.

HM F-111E Aardvark USAF 79th TFS NATO Tiger Meet

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#HMA3009

Pre-Order Now! This model will be sent out as soon as it arrives in stock. (estimated January 2012)

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and after-burning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF continued to use theirs until 2010.

The 1991 NATO Tiger meet was held at RAF Fairford and one of the 16 participants was the 79th TFS of the 20th TFW from RAF Station Upper-Heyford, England. In 1970 the 79th TFS“Tigers” joined converted to the swing-wing F-111. This made it the first European operationally ready unit equipped with the F-111 as well as the first, any where in the world with the “E” variant. The aircraft that represented the 79th was F-111E 68-0049 c/n A/1-218 manufactured in 1968 and painted with a feline paint scheme.

HM F-111C RAAF "Final Flight"

#HMA3008

Available Now!

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and after-burning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF continued to use theirs until 2010.

The RAAF had ordered 24 F-111C’s and on June 1st 1973 the first F-111C (Pig) A8-125 landed at RAAF Amberley, Queensland. A8-125 was formerly designated USAF 67-125. The aircraft was flown by GpCpt J W Newham (later CAS) and WgCdr (later AirCdre) T C Owen. On December 3, 2010 A8-125 completed its last flight with 6 Squadron. It was piloted by CO 6 Sqn WG Cdr Michael Gray and marshaled by Daryl Mackiln, the same man who marshaled A8-125 37 years earlier when it first arrived at Amberley.

HM UH-1B Iroquois RAAF "A2-1020"

#HMA1010

Available Now!

Battle of Long Tan 1966

L: 242mm W: 60mm H: 60mm

There were 766 Bell UH-1C helicopters built in several equipment modified variants. One was the "Frog" equipped with side-mounted XM-158 twin rocket pods each holding seven 2.75 inch rockets. The "M-5" fitted the gunship with a nose turret mounting an M-75 40 mm automatic anti-personnel grenade launcher that held 300 anti-personnel grenades. The crews referred to these as "Chunkers" because of the sound when the grenades were fired. The infamous "Shark" gunships were created in 1966 when permission was granted to use the fearsome looking "Tiger Mouth" on the front of the Hueys.

RAAF A2-1020 is an UH-1B Iroquois that was delivered to No 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Fairbairn in Canberra on December 12, 1962. A2-1020 joined No 9 Squadron at Vung Tau Vietnam in mid-1966 where it was used for medevac, troop insertion as well as extractions and re-supply. On August 17-18 1966 Australian troops were surrounded by overwhelming numbers of enemy troops. As night was falling they were running low on ammunition and the only method of re-supply was by helicopter. During a tropical storm and at tree-top level A2-1020 and A2-1022 managed to fly over enemy troops and find a smoke flare placed by the Australian troops. The 2 helicopters off-loaded their 520 kg of ammunition and successfully returned to base. This ammunition made it possible for the Australian troops to hold on until an artillery barrage and armoured vehicles arrived, driving the enemy soldiers into a retreat. A2-1020 is now on display at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook, near Melbourne.

HM F/A-18A Hornet RAAF 77 Sqn "A21-48"

Pre-Order

#HMA3503

Pre-Order Now! This model will be sent out as soon as it arrives in stock. (estimated December 2011)

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin engine all-weather night fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18s first flew in November 1978 and the first production flight on April 12, 1980. The first 380 aircraft were F/A-18As and in September 1987 production switched to the F/A-18C. Variants A and C are single-seat aircraft while B and D are tandem-seats. The Hornet can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases with the capability of in flight refueling. A total of 1,480 A-D variants were built.

The Australian Flying Corps was formed in 1912 and the AFC No. 3 Squadron was formed in 1916. In 1921 it became the RAAF, an independent branch of the Australian Defence Force. No. 3 Squadron of the 81st Wing is located at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales. The RAAF purchased 57 F/A-18A fighters and 18 F/A-18B two-seaters with delivery beginning in October 1984 and completed in early 1990. Aircraft A21-13 received the special paint scheme to mark the 90th Anniversary of No. 3 Squadron in 2006.

HM Beaufighter RAAF 455 Sqn

#HMA2310

Available Now!

The Bristol Beaufighter was designed as a two-seat long-range fighter. To speed up production many parts of the older Bristol Beaufort were used. The tail, landing gear and wings of the Beaufort were transplanted to the Beaufighter and most units were equipped with airborne radar located in the nose for night-fighting. The Mk. IF was the initial production and fitted with four 20 mm cannons in the nose along with six 7.7 mm machine guns in the wings. The Beaufighter TF Mk.X was the last major version with 2,231 built.

No. 455 Squadron RAAF was formed on May 23, 1941 in Williamtown, NSW. Late in 1943 Bristol Beaufighters replaced the aging Hampdens so RAAF 455 Sqn stationed along side the RNZAF 489 Sqn were formed into a strike force and developed new tactics. This force was known as the ANZAC Wing and moved to Langham on April 12, 1944.. From this base the ANZAC Wing conducted operations in an effort to clear the English Channel of German vessels in preparation for D-Day and during the D-Day landings. A photograph was taken of Beaufighter UB-E NE548 firing a salvo of rockets has become the iconic photo of a T.F.X or perhaps of any Beaufighter.

HM F-111F USAF 48th TFW

#HMA3007

The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay, terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998.

On July 8, 1958 the 48th BG(light) became the 48th TFW. They were known as the“Liberty Wing” and in 1986 F-111F 70-2390 “Miss Liberty II” was the lead F-111 in Operation El Dorado Canyon. This was retaliation for a Libyan sponsored bombing of a Berlin night club that killed 1 U.S. Serviceman and a civilian also injuring 200 others of which 63 were U.S. Military personnel. 70-2390 flew with the call-sign Remit 31. The 48th TFW F-111’s were operational from March 1, 1977 until November 1991.

HM F-111G USAF 428th TFS

#HMA3005

The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998.

In 1988 the 27th TFW was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. That year they received the F-111G when SAC’s 509th and 380th BW’s were disbanded. The primary role for the F-111G was training but in 1991 the "G" was being replaced by the “E” variant. As a result the "G"’s were sent to AMARC for storage and the transfer was complete by 1993. In October 1992 Australia decided to acquire F-111G’s for the RAAF. Fifteen F-111G's were selected and USAF 69-6506 came to the RAAF as A8-506. Apparently upon the arrival of the aircraft it was placed in long term storage and used for spare parts.

HM F-4J Phantom USMC VMFA-531

#HMA1962

One of the most famous and easily recognized fighter aircraft of the post-WWII era was the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II. This aircraft was developed as a private venture by the aircraft company but was soon ordered by the USN as a carrier-based attack aircraft. Its first flight took place on May 27, 1958 and it entered active service in December 1960. It wasn’t long after the F-4B appeared that a fly-off was set up with USAF front-line fighters. It was no contest, the F-4 performed so well that the USAF ordered their own variant, the F-4C. As time went on, the F-4 evolved into well over a dozen variants.

VMFA-531 “Grey Ghosts” along with their F-4s were assigned to the USS Forrestal for a Mediterranean deployment from September 22, 1972 until July 6, 1973. From February 23 until March 6, 1973 VMFA-531 carried out cross operating with F-4Ks from HMS Ark Royal. During this period the VMFA-531 F-4B wore the dark sea grey tail and fin flash of the host No. 892 Squadron. Urban legend has it F-4B AA/207 went mechanical while on Ark Royal and was painted this scheme to mask the aircraft when HMS Ark Royal sailed into Malta who was at odds with the USA.

HM A-10A Thunderbolt USAF 343 TFW "Spirit of Fairbanks"

#HMA1314

October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10a and deployment in March 1976. Built specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive, dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor; a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver. In the Gulf War, A-10s had a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles and were vital assets during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Noble Anvil.

On October 1, 1981 as part of Alaska Air Command the 343rd Composite Wing replaced the 5010th as the host unit for Eielson AFB, situated 26 miles north of Fairbanks Alaska. Eielson AFB was named in honor of the polar pilot Carl B. Eielson. On June 4, 1984 the unit was re-designated 343rd TFW. The operational squadron of the 343rd was the 18th TFS “Ice Hawgs” flying the Fairchild-Republic A-10A Warthog. In 1991 the 18th TFS transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In June 1991 the Pacific Air Force’s flying training exercise Cope Thunder was held at Eielson AFB due to the fact that Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted forcing the move from Clark AFB. The move was made permanent and in 1993 the 343rd was inactivated and personnel and equipment were transferred to the 354th FW.

HM GR-9 Harrier RAF Final Flight "ZG506"

#HMA2613

Pre-Production Model Shown in Image

The GR.9 Harrier came into service in October 2006 and is a very updated improvement on the GR.7. The GR.9 is capable of a wider range of advanced precision weaponry, new communications along with upgraded airframes.

HM Nakajima B5N2 "Kate" IJN Aircraft Carrier Zuiho

#HMA2007

The Nakajima B5N1 first flew in January 1937. It was quite unique for a carrier-aircraft with its low mono wing that folded for storage and wide-track inward folding retractable landing gear. The new Kates were far superior to its competition, the TBD Devastator and the Fairey Swordfish however it did have its shortcomings. It was very poorly armed for self defense and required A5M escort protection. Also the crew and fuel tanks had no protection. The B5N1 was replaced by the improved B5N2.

The Japanese aircraft carrier Zuiho (瑞鳳, "fortunate phoenix") originally was a high-speed oiler. The ship was converted to a carrier, renamed and given a complement of 16 Mitsubishi A5M Claude and 15 Nakajima B5N1 Kate. The Battle of Leyte Gulf took place from October 23 – 26 1944. As part of a small Japanese force that was sacrificed to lure some of the U.S. fleet away from the main Japanese battleship fleet the Zuiho was sunk on October 25, 1942.

HM F-111G RAAF "60th Anniversary of 6 Sqn" (A8-274)

#HMA3004

Available Now!

General Background

RAAF F-111G “A8-274” originally was USAF F-111A s/n 68-0274 that had been upgraded. This aircraft along with 14 other “G”s were purchased by the RAAF in 1993 to complement or replace some of their existing “C” variants. One squadron to receive the F-111 was 6 Squadron based at RAAF Amberley, Queensland. The 6 Squadron was formed on December 6, 1917 and disbanded in 1919. On January 1, 1939 the 6 Squadron was reformed so in 1999 to celebrate 60 years service aircraft “A8-274” was selected to receive the special 60th Anniversary paint scheme. The RAAF affectionately refer to their F-111’s as “Pig” because using the terrain-following radar the aircraft can hunt at night just like a pig can by using its nose.

The Aircraft

The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” or "Pig" as the RAAF called it, entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF still use theirs.

HM F-4G Skyhawk RAN 805 Sqn HMAS Melbourne

#HMA1414

General Background

805 Squadron Motto – Over Sea and Sand, Call Sign "Checkmates" Battle Honors – Crete 1941, Libya 1941-42, Korea 1951-52 After being disbanded for 5 years 805 Squadron reformed for the third time on 10 January 1968. This time they would fly the McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk lightweight strike fighter. For 14 years 805 Squadron was based at NAS Nowra and operated from the carrier HMAS Melbourne for operational missions. In 1982 RAN's sole carrier was decommissioned so once again the 805 Squadron was disbanded. The RAN received several A-4G Skyhawks that had been assigned to VF-805 “The Checkmates” and operational training school squadron the 724 Squadron at Nowra. VF- 805 was the primary combat-squadron stationed on HMAS Melbourne for operational duty and shore-based at Nowra. The RAN received A-4G at Nowra on August 11, 1971. During the early 1970’s aircraft N-13 155051 served time with the “Checkmates” aerobatic team. From April 1977 to October 1977 the aircraft was onboard HMAS Melbourne for “Spithead Deployment”. During this time aircraft 870 took part in the Greenham Common Air Tatoo as part of a static display and in July was involved in exercise “Highwood” in the North Sea.

HM F-111C Royal Australian Air Force (A8-127)

#HMA3002

Available Now!

6 Squadron, 82 Wing - The model includes workable swing wings, crew, landing gear can be displayed up or down, display stand, selection of weapons, drop tanks and a PAVETACK pod that can be shown open or closed.

General Background

The Aircraft

The F-111C basically is an F-111A with strengthened landing gear and the longer wings of the F-111B and is the export version for the RAAF. Aircraft s/n A8-127 formerly was USAF 67-0127 delivered to the RAAF on June 1, 1973 by the crew of Squadron Leader Ian Westmore and Flight Lieutenant John Bushell.

HM F-4E Phantom USAF 337th TFS "MIG Killer"

#HMA1922

General Background

The F-4 Phantom II first entered US Military service in 1960. It was designed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy but by 1963 it was adopted as the US Air Force primary fighter-bomber. Despite the size and weight of this Cold War icon the F-4 broke 15 world records and continued to hold five of them until 1975.

Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.

The Aircraft

On October 15, 1972 F-4E 67-0232 was flown by Captain G.M. Rubus and Captain J.L. Hendrickson on 15 October 1972 when they scored a victory against a MiG-21. At the time they were based at Udorn RTAFB and assigned to the 307th TFS/432nd TRW. The jet joined the 4th TFW after leaving the 31st, and on completion of its service at Seymour Johnson it was stored at Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center from September 1986 to June 1987. The F-4 was then flown to Ogden Air Logistics Center for refurbishment, after which it was supplied to the Turkish Air Force on 13 October 1987. Initially issued to131 Filo, the aircraft is presently serving with 132 Filo at Konya.

HM F-4J Phantom USN VX-4 "Vandy 1"

#HMA1923

General Background

The Aircraft

"Vandy 1" is the traditional tactical callsign the US Navy gave to a specific aircraft that was assigned to the various test and evaluation squadrons on the west coast of California. These squadrons VX-4, and VX-5 were commissioned in 1951.

The first appearance of the Navy Blue-black jet was in 1967-68 on an F4 Phantom II used in night testing. This black jet paint scheme continued up until 2004 with the final all black F-14D Tomcat being retired from Naval service in July 2004.

HM Beaufighter 272 Squadron Malta

#HMA2308

General Background

The Bristol Beaufighter was developed in about 8 months by using sections from the earlier designed Bristol Beaufort. It was given more powerful engines and a variety of modifications making the aircraft capable of many tasks. It was a night fighter, fighter bomber and torpedo bomber performing anti-shipping duty as well as ground attack and long range interdiction. The different variants, 14 in all, were capable of carrying bombs, torpedoes, rockets, canons and machine guns. The Beaufighter was operated by 11 countries.

The Aircraft

During November 1942, 272 Squadron's partnership with 252 broke up with 272 moving to Takali where they were re-equipped with new Beaufighter Mk VIs. Together with 227 Squadron, who were already at Malta, they took on the role of attacking air transports ferrying supplies from Sicily to Rommel's forces in Tunisia.

HM Hawker Tempest Royal New Zealand Air Force

#SM4006

The Aircraft

The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used in the war.

HM F-111A USAF 474 TFW 429 TFS

#HMA3001

General Background

The Aircraft

When the North Vietnamese invaded South Vietnam in the spring of 1972 The 429th TFS was the first squadron to deploy. For the 429th the deployment occurred in two phases of 12 aircraft with each phase arriving at Thailand’s Takhli RTAFB in early October 1972. During the six months of Operation Constant Guard, Linebacker and Linebacker II that took place from September 28, 1972 until March 1973 the 429th along with the 430th flew over 4,000 combat sorties with only six losses.

GJ Spitfire Mk.IX RCAF 443 Sqn

#GARAF1008

Picture will be updated soon...

Corgi Bristol Blenheim RAF 211 Sqn Greece

#AA38404

Wingspan: 238mm

In April 1938, 211 Sqn embarked for the Middle East. It undertook its first operations in June 1940 against Italian targets in Libya and continued until November 1940 when the squadron was sent to assist the Greeks following the Italian invasion of that country. The CO was Sqn Ldr J. Gordon-Finlayson (“The Bish”) flying Blenheim L8511. This aircraft was badly damaged in action and made a forced landing. The crew were reported missing, but were in fact marooned on an island. Days later after an eventful journey they returned. For this action “The Bish” was awarded the DFC. Very soon he was back in the air in L6670, a replacement aircraft transferred from 84 Sqn. Shortly afterwards, on 2nd December, he flew L6670 to attack Valona harbour and returned safely despite damage to the aircraft caused by defending enemy fighters. He continued to fly throughout the winter in what were extremely difficult weather conditions, over mountainous terrain. In March 1941 “The Bish” was awarded the DSO and promoted to Wing Commander.

Corgi Bristol Blenheim RAF 29 Sqn Night Fighter

#AA38402

Wingspan: 238mm

Although only entering RAF service in 1937 by the outbreak of the Second World War very few Blenheim 1s remained in service with UK-based bomber squadrons, most having been superseded in the bomber role by the much improved MkIV. However the Mk1 continued in service as conversion and crew trainers with OTUs.

Of far more significance were around 200 MK1s that were converted to night fighters carrying the brand new AI (airborne interception) radar. Similar in overall outline to the standard Mk1 bomber, the nightfighter carried an additional under-fuselage pack housing four forward firing 0.303 machine guns. It was such equipped MK1Fs that scored the first successful AI interception of enemy aircraft on the night of 2nd - 3rd July 1940. Blenheim Mk1F, L1237, based at RAF Digby in June 1940, looks remarkably similar to a standard Blenheim bomber apart from the ventral gun pack. It wasn't until December 1940 that the nightfighters began to receive an overall black paint finish. Features of this 1:72 scale replica include detailed cockpit, bomb aimer s station and dorsal gun turret, with crew figures.

GJ F-4K Phantom Royal Navy "007"

#GARNS4003