Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV (RAF 91 Sqn)

Product Description

Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV (RAF 91 Sqn) (1:48 scale)
- General Background Spitfire Mk XIV was the most important Griffon-engined Spitfire. It was powered by a 2, 035hp Griffon 65 engine based on the Mk. VIII fuselage. Given its superior performance, the Mk.XIVs were used extensively to intercept the high speed V-1 flying bombs from Germany. In the European continent the aircraft was mainly used as armed reconnaissance searching for enemy targets. Probably one of the best-known fighters of WWII the Spitfire had a big psychological effect at home & in Germany. With its great performance the British were given hope of surviving the Battle of Britain & the German pilots learned to respect its fighting capabilities. It wasn"t the workhorse the Hurricane was but the great handling capabilities along with its great looks made the Spitfire a WWII icon. The plane was also used very successfully in a reconnaissance role & was the only Allied fighter in production for the entire WWII years. The Aircraft The RAF code-name for the V1 rocket was “ Diver”. With a total of 13.5 Divers destroyed by him, No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron pilot Flt. Lt. H D “ Johnny” Johnson was one of the most successful V1 Spitfire pilots. This Johnson isn’t to be confused with James Edgar “ Johnnie” Johnson. H. D.’s first victory was shared on June 23, 1944. The nose art on this Spitfire XIV RB188/DL-K displayed a very colorful drawing of a nude red-headed woman named BRÜMHILDE riding a V1. RB188/DL-K was also used to add to the total victories of ace Flt. Lt. Ken Collier & ace Flt. Lt. Jean Maridor. Later this aircraft served with 130 & 350 Squadrons on the Continent & post war was transferred to Thail&.