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. I fighter that is on display at the Duxford Museum in England. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: July 2013

Historical Account: "Duxford" - P9374 was the 557th Spitfire built. Delivered to 92 Squadron on March 6th, 1940, the aircraft quickly found itself, along with the squadron, moved down to Croydon just south of London to cover the Allied evacuation of Dunkirk. It was on one such mission on May 24th, 1940, that P9374 was lost.

P/O Peter Cazenove was flying the aircraft when it was attacked by future ace Werner Hoffman flying a Bf110. Cazenove made a wheels up landing on a Calais beach and was quickly captured. The wreck lay on the beach covered by the sand until exposed due to a storm in September 1980. The aircraft looked more or less complete, with the engine and fuselage visible.

The wreck was recovered towards the end of that year. The parts were passed around a number of collectors before ending up with the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford who finished the restoration, enabling it to take to the air for the first time since May 24th, 1940, on September 1st, 2011.

Sadly Peter Cazenove, also a veteran of the 'Great Escape', passed away just days before he could be informed of the successful return to flight of his beloved Spitfire.