Airfix AIR50190 Supermarine Spitfire & F35B Lightning Set New
The Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter of the Second World War. It was an all-metal machine with a low-wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tail and retractable landing gear. The prototype flight took place on 5 March 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the RAF's war staple, which continued to perform well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years. The story of the Spitfire began on the drawing board of RJ Mitchell, Supermarine's chief designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters at the airfields - along with the slightly older Hurricanes of the Islands, 600 aircraft were defending. As hostilities expanded, the Spitfire saw service wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa and Italy, during the Normandy landings and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. For many Britons, it is became a symbol of victory in World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important are, among others, the first mass-produced Spitfire Mk.I powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It was above all this machine that made such an excellent contribution to the battle of Britain. Many versions of this model were developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk.V with 1440hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine. Later Merlin 50 engines were also assembled. Serial production of this version began in 1941 and was the RAF's response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk.IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4 blade propeller. It was created as an opponent of the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified several times and, for example, in 1944 got a new gyro sight, an enlarged rudder or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk.XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and five-bladed propeller. Serial production started in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a heavily reinforced structure and casing, the wings were elongated, increasing their flying surface. Mass production started in March 1945. Technical data (Mk.XIV version): length: 9.14 m, wingspan: 11.23 m, height: 3.05 m, maximum speed: 717 km / h, speed of climb: 18.5 m / s, practical ceiling: 13,200 m, maximum range: 1815 km, armament: fixed - 4 x 7.7 mm machine guns and 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannons, suspended - up to 225 kg of bombs .
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