Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Spitfire>HA7811

General Background

The Spitfire Mk.1 first became operational in July 1938. At the beginning of WWII 9 RAF squadrons were equipped with the Mk.1’s. By June 1940 the Mk.1 was being replaced by the faster long-range Mk.II but not before the Mk.I had bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain. The Mk.I also flew protective cover over the evacuation of Dunkirk. The Mk.1 was designed with a battery of eight Browning .303 machine guns. The Mk.1A has a bulged canopy, a 3-blade propeller, self-sealing fuel tanks, armored windscreen and armor plating in front of and behind the pilot.

The Aircraft

Brian "Sandy" Lane flew with the No. 19 Squadron during the Dunkirk evacuation and was awarded a DFC. On September 7, 1940 Lane shot down a Bf-110 while flying P9386/QV-K and on the 9th and 11th claimed a Bf-110 and a He-111 while being flown by Flt. Lt. Peter Lawson. Later that month Lane was promoted to Squadron Leader. The aircraft was transferred and eventually was destroyed in an accident in 1944. On December 13, 1942 Lane pursued 2 Fw-190s and was never seen again.

Specifications :

Basic Information :
Role:	Interceptor Fighter
Mk.1A Produced:	1,536
Crew:	one
Performance:
Engine:	1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin III, liquid-cooled, V12
	HP @ Altitudes – 1,030 hp @ 16,250 ft (4,953 m)
	880 HP @ take-off
Speed:
Maximum @ 20,000 ft (6,100 m):	353 mph (568 kph)
Cruising:	210 mph (338 kph)
RoC (Rate of Climb):
Initial:	2,530 ft/min (771 m/min)
Time to 20,000 ft (6,096 m):	9 minutes 25 seconds
Service Ceiling:	31,900 ft (9,723 m)
Normal Range:	395 miles (637 km)
Endurance:	1.78 hrs
Weight:
Empty:	5,040 lb (2,286 kg)
Full:	6,150 lb (2,789 kg)
Dimensions:
Length:	29 ft 11 ins. (9.12 m)
Height to tip of propeller:	11 ft 5 ins (3.48 m)
Wingspan:	36 ft 10 ins. (11.23 m)
Armament:	8 x 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 300 rounds/gun