The 343rd Fighter Group was activated on 11 September 1942 and assigned to the XI Fighter Command. The Group was initially composed of three fighter squadrons, the 11th, 18th, and the 54th. The 344th was assigned to the Group in October of 1942. For a short time the 1st Photographic Flight and the 11th Fighter Control Squadron were associated with the Group. The group operated in Alaska from mid 1942 to fall 1943. Known as the "Aleutian Tigers" it was commanded by John “Jack” Chennault the son of General Claire Chennault who commanded the Flying Tigers in China. The Aleutian Tigers flew along with the U.S. Navy, Royal Canadian Airforce, and other U.S. Army Airforce units throughout the Aleutian Island chain. The distinctive tiger face was a take off from the original Flying Tigers that operated in China. This plane features, sliding canopy with accurately detailed interior, removable top ammo doors with accurate drop in ammo box detail, opening access hatch, completely detailed engine with removeable side cowlings, functional rudder, wing flaps, opening underside gun doors with gun detail, antenna wires, all the external markings and body lines are there. But heres the part that makes us the leader in diecast replicas... the landing gear is automatic!! Yes that's right it features a small button on the underside of the plane that when pressed, acuates the landing gear to come down automatically and while coming down it rotates just like the real plane. It will blow you away the first time you see it, and all the times you will show your friends. This model is the best reproduction of the famous P-40E in the industry.
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