Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV (RAF 91 Sqn West Malling 1944)

Product Description

Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV (RAF 91 Sqn West Malling 1944) (1:72 scale)
- The introduction of the powerful 2, 035hp Griffon engined Spitfire Mk XIV saw a performance improvement at all altitudes over the earlier Merlin engined variants. It gave the Spitfire a significant advantage over the German FW190A & it also made it ideal for tackling the menace of the V1 ‘buzz-bomb’ flying bombs. No.91 Sqn, based at West Malling, achieved the best record against the flying bomb, shooting down 184 with its Mk XIVs. One of the squadron’s most successful pilots during the V1 campaign was Flt Lt H.D. ‘ Johnny’ Johnson. In total he claimed 13.5 destroyed with his first (shared) kill being in Spitfire Mk XIV RB188 on 23rd June, 1944. He brought down a further four ‘buzz-bombs’ in the same aircraft which bore the distinctive nose art of a naked lady riding a V1. RB188 later served with 130 & 350 Sqns in Europe & was transferred to Thailand after the war.