Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Spitfire>HA7854

General Background

The first Spitfire Mk V was produced in January 1941 and proved to be as good as the Mk III and less complicated. The Mk V was the most produced variant of the Spitfire and the main version throughout 1941 and was a better aircraft than the Bf-109 but that all changed with the introduction of the Fw-190. The Mk V remained the RAF fighter through the summer of 1942 and saw several variants developed using bigger engines, new wing types and more armament. There were 20,351 Mk V aircraft built in all variants.

The Aircraft

In 1938 Irishman Brendan “Paddy” Finucane joined the RAF and two years later was flying Spitfires with the 65 Squadron. In April 1941 he was transferred to 452 Squadron where he scored seventeen victories between July and October 13 1941 when he turned 21. After a short rest Finucane was transferred to the 602 Squadron and in June 1942 became the youngest Wing Commander in RAF (Hornchurch) history. On July 15, 1942 Finucane was killed during a raid on Étaples France. He was the highest scoring Irishman with 28 aerial victories, total may vary.

Specifications :

Basic Information :
Role:	Interceptor Fighter
Mk.1A Produced:	3,923
Crew:	one
Performance:
Engine:	1 X 1,440 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 45/46/50 V-12
Speed:	371 mph (597 km/h) @ 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Climb Rate:	20,000 ft / 7.5 min (6,095 m in 7.5 min)
Service Ceiling:	37,000 ft (11,278 m)
Normal Range:	470 miles (756 km)
Weight:
Empty:	5,100 lb (2,313 kg
Maximum:	6,785 lb (3,078 kg)
Dimensions:
Length:	29 ft 11 in (9.11 m)
Height:	11 ft 5 in (3.48 m)
Wingspan:	36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
Armament:
In wings:	2 x 20-mm cannon
	4 x 0.303-in machine-guns
External:	Centre-line rack for 500 lb bomb or tank