The Spitfire is the most famous British aircraft of all time. Although less numerous than the Hawker Hurricane, it is remembered as the sleek, thoroughbred fighting machine that turned the tide during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire was among the fastest and most maneuverable prop-driven fighters of World War II, serving in virtually every combat theater.

Supermarine designer Reginald Mitchell created this small, graceful, elliptical-wing fighter with eight guns in the wings that were able to fire without being hindered by the propeller. The immortal Spitfire thus became not merely one of the best-performing fighters of all time, but also one of the best-looking. Although never employed as a long-range escort, the Spitfire was a champion in an air-to-air duel. Spitfires routinely dived at the speed of sound, faster than any of the German jets.

A carrier-based version, called the Seafire, was a winner in its own right, serving valiantly on convoy routes during World War II. The Seafire 47 was even used in the early stages of the Korean War, before it was replaced by more modern jet aircraft.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IIA fighter that was attached to No.118 Squadron, "Borough of Lambeth," during May 1941. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-inches
Length: 4-1/2-inches

Release Date: February 2014

Historical Account: "The Borough of Lambeth" - Built at the Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory, Spitfire Mk.IIA P8088 had its construction costs paid for by the people of Lambeth, South London, hence the name on the side of the fuselage. Taken on charge by 39 MU at Colerene it was then issued to 66 Squadron on March 21st, 1941. It quickly became the mount of well-known aviation author P/O Alec Lumsden who added the name 'Bette' to the fuselage as well as the cartoon of A.R.P. Reilly-Foull from the Mirror cartoon Just Jake.

Transferred to 152 Squadron at Middle Wallop when 66 Squadron re-equipped with Spitfire Mk.IIbs, the aircraft was then passed around various operational training units before being lost on September 16th, 1944, when its pilot seemingly passed out at the controls and it dived into the ground and exploded. The wreck was excavated in April 1978 and parts of it now form a forward fuselage section, still proudly displaying the name 'The Borough of Lambeth'.