Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Spitfire>HA7855

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

Czechoslovak Alois “Amos” Vasatko fought with the French Air Force and then the RAF. The 312th Czechoslovak Squadron of the RAF was established on May 3, 1942 with Vasatko as its first Wing Commander. On June 23, 1942 Vasatko was flying BM592 and commanding Spitfire VBs from the three Czech squadrons escorting Boston bombers. Returning from a successful raid they were attacked by Fw-190s. Vasatko began a climbing right turn and in doing so he collided with Uffz. Wilhelm Reuschling’s Fw-190 who bailed out and was captured but Vasatko perished.

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