Wednesday 7 July 2010

Spitfire Summer: "Copy Blue Leader Bandits Three O'Clock"

More of my 1/144 Academy collection, this time the single-seat legend the Spitfire. Two Spitfire Vb's chasing the Hun.


A simple and clean model that paints up beautifully.


Nothing like a bit of magic making it to tabletop, these boys have the Polish national insignia markings on them too.


In the Battle of Britain the Poles of 303 Squadron outclassed everyone attaining the highest numbers of kills in relation to other RAF squadrons coupled with the lowest operational losses. Prior combat experience had taught them to get in close (100-50 yards) before delivering a burst of deadly fire.


They proved Dowding's initial doubts over their combat suitability wrong and in a battle that was won by the narrowest of margins they helped tilt the odds in Britain's favour and were a welcome addition to the RAF order of battle.

9 comments:

Pablo J. Álvarez said...

I can see the He111 fallen in the next photo.

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

I'll see what I can do.
Pity the photos turned out a bit "glarish white"

Arquinsiel said...

Does that same company make Stukas by any chance? I need to get a few in that scale.

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

No Arquinsel, all I could see on the Hannants web-site are some rather expensive (as in more than the cost of 1/72 kits) resin kits:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=&code=&product_type_id=&scale_id=957&keyword_search=stuka&setPerPage=25

Or search on 1/144 and keyword stuka

Once upon a time (about 15 years ago) Revell did a 1/144 Stuka but no more :(

Yori said...

As Polish I'm very glad you was painting these models. We are very proud of the legendary 303 Squadron. Thanks a lot :)

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Yori, the pleasure is all mine

The simple fact is that the RAF needed them so badly and we are still so grateful for their contribution.

It is just a pity Poland was left the wrong side of the Iron Curtain by politicians who forgot about the sacrifices made in 1940 rather than the pragmatics of Europe in 1945.

Best Wishes

Arquinsiel said...

At that price the Flames of War models are probably cheaper to buy. Ah well.

Dux Homunculorum said...

Eduard did a very nice 1/144 scale Stuka. It might be out of production, but there are sure to still be some around.

Nice Spits! I painted up a bunch of 1/144 Battle of Britain planes to play Knights Cross, the WWII variant of Canvas Eagles. Excellent game.

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

The WWII Canvas Eagles game was the reason I painted these too!

:)

Never got round to playing it yet though!

:(