Hobby Master Archive

HA7101 Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVe MV268 JEJ 127 Wing, 2nd TAF, Gp. Capt. ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, Germany, May 1945 James Edgar “Johnnie” Johnson was the top RAF Ace to survive WWII with 38 kills. In early July 1944 Gp. Capt. Johnson was placed in charge of the Canadian Spitfire Wing No. 127, 2nd TAF (Tactical Air Force) comprised of 404, 441 and 442 Squadrons of the RCAF. Being a Wing Leader he was able to use his own initials instead of the unit code. Johnson also held the record of never being shot down and only having one German shell hit his plane throughout the entire war.

The Mk XIV was the most notable of the Spitfire family. Originally it was based on a strengthened Mk VIII airframe so a 2,035 hp Griffon 65 engine could be used. The Griffon came with a two-stage supercharger and a 5 bladed propeller. The fin area and rudder were enlarged and the overall fuselage length was increased. The new Griffon engine surprised some test pilots because it rotated in the opposite direction of the Merlin engine. The E winged variant allowed for improved armament.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7101 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIVe JEJ MV268, 127 Wing, 2nd TAF Gp. Capt. Johnnie Johnson, Soltau, Germany, May, 1945

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE RETAIL VERSION. IT WILL HAVE A CRYSTAL CLEAR SLIDES OPEN. THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTS JUST LIKE THE REAL SPITFIRE SO NO NEED TO ADD OR REMOVE LANDING GEAR. THE BULGE IN THE TOP OF THE WING HAS BEEN REALIGNED WITH THE PROPER CANNON. THE RETAIL VERSION WILL INCLUDE A PILOT

Type: fighter Powerplant: 1x Griffon 65 or 66, 2,050 hp, Rolls Royce, 12 cylinder V, liquid cooled Max Speed (Sea Level): 309 mph (499 kph) Max speed: 448 mph (721 km/h) at 26,000 ft (7,925 m). Climbing Rate: 4,700 ft (1,432 m) / min Time to 20,000 ft: (6,100 m), 7 min.

Service ceiling: 44,500 ft (13,564 m). Max range: 850 mi. (1,368 km).

Empty weight: 6,600 lb (2,994 kg). Gross weight: 8,500 lb (3,856 kg).

Wing span: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) Wing area: 242 sq ft (22.48 m2) Length: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m). Height: 12 ft 8 in (3.85 m)

Armament: 4 x .303 in (7.7 mm) BSA or 2 x 12.7 mm (.50 in) Browning machine guns and 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon in each wing

1/48 scale pre-finished Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic. Professionally painted. All markings pad applied for superb results. Cockpit slides open. Cockpit side door opens. Comes with a pilot that can be removed. Comes with display stand. Landing gear is fully retractable and can be displayed up or down. Removable wing ammo bay covers. Propeller is metal. Extremely sought after by collectors.