Supermarine Spitfire MkIIa XR-D (RAF 71 Sqn 1941)

Product Description

Supermarine Spitfire Mk I Ia XR-D (RAF 71 Sqn 1941) (1:48 scale)
- 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.1A had 8 machine guns instead 4, a bulged canopy, a 3-blade propeller, self-sealing fuel tanks, armored windscreen & armor plating in front of & behind the pilot. When WWII started some American volunteers enlisted with the RAF. They were named the No. 71 “ Eagle Squadron”. Bill Dunn was a member & on August 27, 1941 was escorting Blenheims. During the mission Dunn shot down two Me-109’s but was hit several times. Dunn got the crippled aircraft back to base before passing out. When he awoke he found he had lost the front portion of one foot; 2 machine gun bullets in his leg while another creased the back of his head. This ended Dunn’s career with the “ Eagle Squadron” & a score of 5 ½ victories. He returned to the US as a pilot trainer but on D-Day returned to England with the 406th FG & scored 3 more victories.