Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Night Fighter – 111 Sqn RAF, Peter Durnford 1941/2

Corgi Aviation 1/72 scale AA31908: Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Night Fighter of 111 Sqn RAF, Peter Durnford, RAF Debden, England. Limited Edition of 3,400 models.

Length 5 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

In November 1941, 111 Squadron moved from North Weald to Debden with its Spitfire MkVBs and along with 65 Squadron began flying a programme of night training exercises. This rare turn of events was prompted by Fighter Command fears that the Luftwaffe may resume the night bombing offensive on Britain and London specifically, so countered this threat with a high-speed interception force. This aircraft carries the matt black nocturnal camouflage scheme and did so through the Winter of 1941/42 with the idea being to work with radar-laid searchlights which would mark a pre-briefed patrol area for a pilot who would then orbit the beam awaiting the attacking aircraft until signaled in the direction of the approaching enemy via the beam pointing in its direction.

Designed by R.J.Michell to meet a British Air Ministry specification, the Supermarine Spitfire first flown on March 5th, 1936. With its combination of beautiful fighter design, the excellent performance of its Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplant and firepower provided by twin cannons and four machine guns, the Spitfire became an unrivaled symbol of victory. The Spitfire had 40 major variants and was built in greater numbers than any other British aircraft of the time. It flew operationally on every front between 1939 and 1945 and was engaged in every one of the Royal Air Force’s major actions.