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" RCAF Supermarine Mk. IXe fighter that was flown by Wing Commander "Johnnie" Johnson, who led No.144 (Canadian) Wing, then deployed to Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), Lashenden, England, in preparation for the D-Day landings at Normandy, France, in June 1944. Now in stock!

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

Release Date: September 2022

In late 1942, Polish Air Force Staff Command requested RAF permission to send a group of specially chosen pilots to the North African theatre of operations to acquire experience in operating as a part of a tactical air force in preparation for future Allied landings on the European continent.

Volunteers had to be experienced (with at least 30 operation missions completed) and some 70 volunteers were considered before 15 pilots were chosen for the operational tour of three months. Formed at Northolt on February 5th, 1943, as the Polish Fighting Team, initial preparations for overseas service took place at RAF West Kirby, and the unit embarked on February 24th, arriving in North Africa on March 13th, 1943.

The team was initially attached as 'C' flight, to No.145 Squadron RAF, (under ace S/L Lance Wade) equipped with the Spitfire Mk.V and operating from Bu Ghara, 150 miles west of Tripoli. Commencing operations on March 18th the unit gained an immediate reputation for combat effectiveness. The unit re-equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX in late March.

Flying Officer Mieczysław Wyszkowski was the only casualty in the PFT, shot down and taken prisoner-of-war on April 18th. Following the surrender of the German Army in Africa on May 13th, the PFT was disbanded. Three pilots stayed on and became part of Desert Air Force units; Skalski became CO of No.601 Squadron, Horbaczewski CO of No.43 and Drecki a Flight Commander in No.152.