Corgi Bristol Beaufort Mk1 N1016 OV X F_O

Bristol Beaufort Mk1 N1016 OV-X, F/O Kenneth Campbell, RAF No.22 Squadron, St Eval, Cornwall, 6th April 1941 – Attack on Gneisenau, VC action

Features Include:
• Detailed crew figures
• Rotating Propellors
• Wingspan 9.6"
• Optional Armaments
• Optional landing gear

As an Island nation, the protection of Britain’s sea lanes during the Second World War was a crucial battle which had to be won. Throughout the first few months of conflict, the German capital ship Gneisenau and her sister vessel Scharnhorst were posing a serious raiding threat and on receiving news that the ships had entered Brest harbour to undergo repairs in late March 1941, the RAF immediately planned raids intended to destroy, or at least damage the ships.

On Sunday 6th April 1941, Bristol Beaufort Mk.I N1016 (OA-X) took off from RAF St. Eval in Cornwall and headed for a rallying point off the coast of France, close to the entrance to the harbour. Even though the weather was poor, they were surprised to find that they were the only aircraft to make it and with radio silence crucial to the success of the mission, the crew faced the decision whether to press on with their attack alone, or return to base. Although the odds were seriously stacked against them, they turned towards the heavily defended harbour and began their attack run, descending to almost wavetop height. Pilot Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, expertly lined up his Bea