BUNDLEA14 The 1:48 Spitfire Collection

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb

Product code: A05125A

Illustrating the strength and adaptability of its basic design, the Supermarine Spitfire saw constant development throughout the Second World War, with over 20,000 aircraft eventually being produced in 24 different marks. The Mark V variant was actually something of a stop-gap upgrade from the aircraft which fought during the Battle of Britain, but with 6,487 produced, it would prove to be the most heavily produced mark of Spitfire.

BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc.

Individual price: £28.99

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia

Product code: A05126A

The Supermarine Spitfire was, by 1940, the interceptor of choice for Fighter Command. It was capable of speeds of over 360mph and had exceptional manoeuvrability. An excellent dog-fighter, the Spitfire Mark I is seen as a symbol of The Few, vital to the defence of the United Kingdom against the previously all-conquering Luftwaffe. Along with the Hurricane, it cemented its place in history during the Battle of Britain.

BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc.

Individual price: £28.99

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV

Product code: A05135

Continuing the wartime development of the famous Supermarine Spitfire, the Mk.XIV saw the classic shape of Mitchell's celebrated fighter paired with the awesome power of the new Rolls Royce Griffon engine. The resultant aircraft was superb and one of the RAFs most capable fighters of WWII, proving particularly successful when employed against the V-1 flying bomb attacks which Germany launched against southern Britain, from the summer of 1944.

The adoption of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine provided the Spitfire with a significant increase in performance, but not without presenting Supermarine designers and pilots converting to the aircraft with a few challenges. Installation of the new engine in the existing Spitfire airframe required a redesign of both the front and rear sections of the aircraft and the use of a distinctive five bladed Rotol propeller. Pilots used to flying Merlin engined versions of the aircraft would find the Griffon turned in the propeller in the opposite direction and whilst the earlier aircraft tended to veer to the left on take-off, the Griffon powered machines would veer in the opposite direction if the pilot forgot and applied their usual corrective inputs, their first flight could be a particularly short and uncomfortable one.

As the only British fighter type to remain in production throughout WWII, the Spitfire was constantly developed to ensure it remained at the forefront of fighter performance, with the Griffon powered aircraft being around 80 mph faster than the original Mk.I machines. With the purr of the early Merlin engines replaced by the throaty growl of the mighty Griffon, these later developments appear to be much more capable versions of the fighter than the classic early Spitfires, even though they are basically a development of them. The Griffin powered Spitfire Mk.XIV possessed greater performance than that of the thoroughbred Mk.IX and therefore was superior to both the Luftwaffe's Focke Wulf Fw 190 and the latest versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

Taking part in air operations in support of and in the months following the D-Day landings, the Mk.XIV was used extensively by the 2nd Tactical Air Force, equipping all 20 of the Spitfire Squadrons that operated from the continent in the months between D-Day and VE-Day. Employed predominantly in an armed reconnaissance role, these fearsome fighters would search for targets behind German lines, attempting to disrupt both their retreat and their ability to send reinforcements to the current front line. Their speed also made them an ideal aircraft to help counter the growing Doodlebug threat endured by southern Britain in the months following Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings.

BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc.

Individual price: £28.99

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV Civilian Schemes

Product code: A05139

Possessing grace, beautifully clean lines and lots of power, several Spitfires would survive the war to become highly distinctive aircraft on the civilian aviation scene either operating as Airshow display aircraft, or competing in air race competitions around the world. The aggressive profile of the Spitfire XIV made for a particularly striking air racer and helped to reaffirm the enduring legacy of this famous aeroplane.

BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc.

Individual price: £28.99

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XII

Product code: A05117A

The Mk XII was the first production version of the Spitfire to use the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. The Griffon was a devlopment of the 'R' sprint engine used in the Supermarine Schneider Trophy racing seaplanes of the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Individual price: £28.99

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.XVIII

Product code: A05140

A variant of this famous fighting aeroplane which was the result of a desire to produce a 'Super Spitfire', the F Mk.XVIII was a further refinement of the Rolls Royce Griffon powered Mk.XIV, but one which incorporated a number of improvements over its predecessor. In addition to several cockpit enhancements for the pilot, the F Mk.XVIII also benefitted from increased fuel carrying capacity and strengthened wings, allowing it to carry either rockets or bombs in addition to its cannon and machine gun armament. With a total production run or 300 aircraft, the RAF would receive two versions of this fighter, the F.Mk.XVIII fitted with the standard E wing and the FR.Mk.XVIII, which included a camera for photo reconnaissance work. Too late to see service during WWII, these powerful Spitfires did see action as part of 'Operation Firedog' and actions against Communist guerrillas during the Malayan Emergency.

Individual price: £28.99