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 "clipped wing" RAF Supermarine Mk. IXe fighter that was attached to No.443 "Hornet" Squadron. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-inches
Length: 6-inches

Release Date: August 2020

Historical Account: "The Great White North" - No.448 Squadron RCAF was a test and evaluation squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Formed in 1967 at CFB Cold Lake, 448 Squadron replaced the Air Armament Evaluation Detachment (1954) and can be traced back to the RCAF Test and Development Establishment (1940). No.448 merged with the Royal Canadian Navy Air Test and Development Experimental Squadron or VX10 Squadron (1952) and Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (1951) to form the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in 1970.