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 the pilot.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. 1a X4277 XT-M arrived with the 603 Squadron (City of Edindurgh) on August 30th 1940. On August 27, 1940 603 Squadron moved to Hornchurch and on August 29, 1940 Hillary scored his first victory but his aircraft was badly damaged and crash landed. Assigned the new Spitfire Mk. 1 X4277 XT-M Richard Hillary scored 4 more victories. The 5th victory came on September 3, 1940 but he was once again shot down and badly burned. He returned to flying by piloting a Blenheim but died when the aircraft crashed during training.

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 HA7814 Spitfire Mk.I X4277/XT-M, Flg Off Richard Hillary, No. 603 Sqn., Hornchurch