Level 3 Model Kit Consolidated B-24D Liberator Bomber Aircraft with 2 Scheme Options 1/72 Plastic Model Kit by Airfix

Brand new plastic model kit of Consolidated B-24D Liberator Bomber Aircraft with 2 Scheme Options (Level 3) 1/72 plastic model kit by Airfix. Brand new box. Vintage style packaging. Officially licensed product. Contains 258 detailed parts. Does NOT include display stand. Paint and cement required (not included). Manufacturer's original unopened packaging. Parts molded in Light Gray, unless otherwise indicated. Includes decals to design the plane in 2 different schemes. Dimensions approximately L-18.3, W-11.75 inches assembled. HISTORY ASPECTS: The Consolidated B-24D-25-CO Liberator, serial number 41-24301 and famously known as Lady Be Good, was assigned to the 514th Bomb Squadron, 376th Bomb Group, Ninth Air Force during World War II. Operating out of Soluch Airfield in Libya, the 376th Bomb Group was tasked with long-range bombing missions deep into Axis territory across the Mediterranean. On April 4, 1943, Lady Be Good took off on her very first combat mission—a raid on Naples, Italy. Encountering poor weather and heavy winds, the crew became separated from the formation and ultimately turned back toward base after failing to locate the target. Due to navigation difficulties, sandstorms, and the absence of visible landmarks in the desert night, the crew overshot their home base without realizing it, flying deep into the Libyan Desert. Believing they were still over the Mediterranean, the crew bailed out when fuel ran low. The aircraft, however, continued flying on autopilot for several miles before making a gentle, wheels-up landing in the desert. The crew landed far from the wreck and, with limited supplies, attempted to walk north toward presumed safety. Tragically, all nine men perished in the unforgiving desert, succumbing to heat, dehydration, and exhaustion over an eight-day ordeal. The Lady Be Good remained undiscovered for 16 years, preserved almost perfectly by the arid conditions until an oil exploration team found the wreck in 1959. The discovery sparked international interest and led to recovery efforts that brought closure to one of aviation’s most compelling mysteries. Today, the story of Lady Be Good stands as a powerful reminder of the perils faced by WWII aircrews, the harsh realities of desert warfare, and the resilience of those who served. Parts of the aircraft are preserved in various museums across the United States, keeping its legacy alive for future generations. This 1:72 scale model replicates the aircraft as it appeared during its fateful 1943 mission, complete with authentic weathering and squadron markings. A must-have for aviation historians and collectors, this model not only captures the sleek lines of the Liberator but also tells the remarkable and tragic story of one of World War II’s most enduring legends.