The
Airfix 1/24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a plastic aircraft model accurately recreates the real life fighter aircraft used extensively by the Royal Air Force throughout World War II. This
plastic aircraft kit requires paint and glue to complete.
The immortal Spitfire was the most famous fighter of the Second World War and one of the greatest warplanes of all time. The mainstay of RAF Fighter Command throughout the war, the basic design was so successful that it remained in production for almost ten years. Designed by R.J. Mitchell who was responsible for the Supermarine seaplanes which won the Schneider Trophy outright for Britain in 1931, production Spitfires began to reach the squadrons in 1938 at the time of the Munich crisis.
When the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940 there were nineteen squadrons of Spitfires available. These, together with the Hurricanes, represented a total force of some 600 fighters. The two Spitfires for which markings are provided are typical of those flown in 1940. The first "Bogus" belonged to 602 Squadron originally based at Drem in Scotland and which, with 603 Squadron, shot down the first enemy aircraft over Britain in October 1939. The second Spitfire, "Kiwi", was flown by Flt Lt Deere D.F.C. of 54 Squadron based at Hornchurch during the Battle.
Kiwi carries the later camouflage scheme when Sky undersides had replaced the earlier black and white. The Spitfire 1a was powered by a 12-cylinder Rolls-Royce Merlin III engine of 1,030 h.p. which gave a maximum speed of 365 mph. and a combat range of 395 miles. Armament consisted of eight .303in Browning machine guns. Wing span was 36ft 10in and length 29ft 11in.
Manufacturer:
Airfix
Model:
12001 Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a Scale: 1/24
