Hobby Master Archive

The Spitfire Mk.1 first became operational in July 1938 at Duxford, Cambridge. At the beginning of WWII 9 RAF squadrons were equipped with the Mk.1’s with two others converting to the new aircraft. 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 of 4, a bulged canopy, a 3-blade propeller, self-sealing fuel tanks, armored windscreen and armor plating in front of and behind Arthur Giles Blake attended the Royal Naval College and received his FAA wings in January 1940. On June 15, 1940 he was one of the FAA pilots assigned to the RAF at 7 OTU. On July 1, 1940 he was assigned to No. 19 Squadron and because of his naval background was nicknamed “Admiral”. During September 1940 Sub Lieutenant Blake downed an He-111, shared another, destroyed 3 Me-109s, damaged an Me-110 and a Do-17 before being shot down himself and killed on October 29, 1940.

Specifications for Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1A (late production)

Role - Interceptor Fighter Mk.1A Produced - 1,536 Crew - one Performance Engine - 1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin III, liquid-cooled, V12 HP @ Altitudes - 1,030 hp @ 16,250 ft (4,953 m) 880 HP @ take-off Speed Maximum @ 20,000 ft (6,100 m) - 353 mph (568 kph) Cruising - 210 mph (338 kph) RoC (Rate of Climb) Initial - 2,530 ft/min (771 m/min) Time to 20,000 ft (6,096 m) - 9 minutes 25 seconds Service Ceiling - 31,900 ft (9,723 m) Normal Range - 395 miles (637 km) Endurance - 1.78 hrs Weights Empty - 5,040 lb (2,286 kg) Full - 6,150 lb (2,789 kg)

Dimensions Length - 29 ft 11 ins. (9.12 m) Height to tip of propeller - 11 ft 5 ins (3.48 m) Wingspan - 36 ft 10 ins. (11.23 m)

Armament 8 x 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 300 rounds/gun

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

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7812 Spitfire Mk.IIa P7423/QV-Y, S/Lt. Blake No. 19 Sqn., October 1940

MODEL MAY COME WITH A RUDDER BALANCE THAT YOU PLACE ON THE TAIL WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE MODEL.