posted 07-04-2003 06:22 PM               

From the reverse of the box: "Since the dawn of time man has desired to fly. The Showcase Collection by Corgi chronicles the groundbreaking achievements of the planes and pilots who have forged a history and identity in global air and space travel. From the intial flight at Kitty Hawk to modern-day space shuttle missions, these 20 models represent the history of air travel through 100 Years of Flight."

There are four other sets in addition to this one ("The Space Race"): Pioneering Years (Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, Bleriot Monoplane, Lockheed Vega), Aces at War (Sopwith Camel No. 3 Wing RNAS, Fokker DR1 Jasta 5, P-51D Mustang USAAF 328 Fighter Sqdn., Supermarine Spitfire RAF 312 [Czech] Sqdn.), Top Gun (F-14 Tomcat VF84 - USS Nimitz, F-16N Fighting Flacon VF43 "Challengers", Harrier US Marines - VMA 231, Phantom F4 "Sundowners), and Global Traveller (DC3 - American Airlines, Boeing Clipper - Pan Am, 747-200 - Pan Am, Concorde - British Airways).

"The Space Race", the fifth in the series, includes: Lunar Module Eagle, Apollo Command Module Apollo 11, Space Shuttle Columbia, and X-15.

When I spoke with a Corgi representative earlier this year at the American Toy Fair, it was indicated that a very limited number of "The Space Race" set were created as production was halted when Columbia was lost on February 1. At the time (February 17), all sets produced were spoken for by distributors, so what is in stores today is what there is to be had by collectors.

(It should also be noted that the original set [as promoted on Corgi's website] called for a Vostok to be included instead of the X-15. It is not clear why the decision was made to make the swap.)

posted 07-10-2003 05:01 AM               

Looks like I will be paying them a visit after work today.

Thanks for the info,