{"product_id":"icm-1-48-churchills-flying-suitcase-hp-52-hampden-bomber-icm48354","title":"ICM 1:48 Churchill's 'Flying Suitcase' HP.52 Hampden Bomber - ICM48354","description":"In June 1936, the prototype of a new bomber, developed in response to updated British Air Ministry requirements, took to the skies. The Royal Air Force required a twin-engine strike aircraft with an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, and the capability to carry a relatively large bomb load over long distances. The aircraft was designed by a team led by Dr. Gustav Lachmann.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing a series of trials, serial production of the new bomber began in the spring of 1938. The aircraft received the designation HP.52 and the name Hampden, in honour of John Hampden, a 17th-century defender of civil liberties. The first production aircraft entered operational service in the autumn of the same year, and by July 1940, Handley Page had produced 500 units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarting in February 1940, English Electric also joined production, manufacturing an additional 770 aircraft by March 1942. The bomber featured a distinctive fuselage design — narrow and vertically deep — which earned it the nickname “Flying Suitcase.” Over time, the HP.52 Hampden underwent several external modifications, including redesigns of the nose section and cockpit glazing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the introduction of newer heavy bombers, the Hampden was gradually withdrawn from RAF Bomber Command service. However, it continued to operate with RAF Coastal Command, where it served effectively as a long-range torpedo bomber.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHP.52 Hampden bomber featuring characteristic late-production details\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe geometry and proportions of the original aircraft are preserved\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed rivet detail on the fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe kit includes multiple bomb types that can be placed in the bomb bay and under the wings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA decal sheet with marking options for four aircraft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings Available\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I AE224 (flown by S\/Ldr D.D. Drakes), No. 49 Squadron, RAF Scampton, 1941\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I AE238 «Popeye», No. 49 Squadron, RAF Scampton, 1941\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I AD915, No. 420 Squadron, Waddington, Winter 1942\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I AE269, No. 408 Squadron, Balderton, Summer 1942\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: \u003cstrong\u003e1:48\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of Parts:\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e462\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength:\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e341 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidth:\u003cstrong\u003e 442 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes detailed assembly instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHighly detailed sprues with high accuracy made from quality plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEAN: \u003cstrong\u003e4823044412051\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarton quantity: \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox size: \u003cstrong\u003e410 x 260 x 55 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assembly Kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aircraft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNation:\u003c\/strong\u003e British\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1939-1945 - World War II\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e ICM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e ICM48354\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and tools are sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Order - ETA 2-4 Weeks.\u003c\/strong\u003e We order this in for you from the UK distributor, so please allow 2 to 4 weeks for it to reach you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ICM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56960060031362,"sku":"ICM48354","price":71.19,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0306\/5842\/9059\/files\/ICM48354_01.jpg?v=1791019111","url":"https:\/\/www.loadeddice.uk\/products\/icm-1-48-churchills-flying-suitcase-hp-52-hampden-bomber-icm48354","provider":"Loaded Dice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}