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 1:48 scale replica of a RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VIII fighter that was nicknamed "HAVA GO JO!!" and piloted by Lt. Norm Smithell, who was attached to No.79 Squadron during the summer of 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 9-inches
Length: 7-1/2-inches

Release Date: January 2020

Historical Account: "Supporting the Final Push" - No.79 Squadron arrived at Sattler Airfield south of Darwin on January 12th, 1945, and received its new aircraft shortly afterwards. It began to move to Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) on February 6th and became operational there as part of No.80 Wing at the end of March. The squadron conducted ground attack sorties against Japanese positions on nearby islands until the end of the war and also became responsible for Morotai's air defense from May 28th. Although no Japanese aircraft were encountered in this area, several Spitfires were shot down by anti-aircraft fire during ground attack sorties. Operations were hindered at times by personnel shortages, and many of the airmen who were posted to the unit were judged by the squadron's commander to have been inadequately trained.

On July 30th, No. 80 Wing was disbanded and the squadron became the first flying unit assigned to the newly formed No. 11 Group. This group was responsible for garrison duties in much of Borneo and the eastern NEI. No.79 Squadron dropped leaflets on Japanese positions after Japan agreed to surrender on August 15th and returned to Australia in October 1945. It was disbanded at Oakey Airfield on November 12th that year. The unit suffered 13 fatal casualties during the war. In late 2010, the squadron was awarded battle honors for its World War II service in the Pacific, New Britain and Morota.