Tamiya British Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I 1/48 Aircraft Model Kit

1/48 scale Aircraft Series No.29 plastic model kit of the WWII British Supermarine Spitfire MK1 fighter plane. Approx 50 parts molded in medium grey and clear Highly detailed cockpit with accurate instrument panel, seat, control stick and rudder pedals, and bulkheads. Separate, positionable cockpit door. This plastic kitset requires assembly, paints and glue to complete. Wingspan: 9–1/4" (23.4cm) Fuselage Length: 7–1/2" (19.3cm) Tamiya Product Number: 61032 Scale: 1:48 Suggested Paint Colors (not included): X-11 – Chrome Silver X-13 – Metallic Blue X-18 – Semi Gloss Black X-6 – Orange X-7 – Red XF-1 – Flat Black XF-10 – Flat Brown XF-15 – Flat Flesh XF-21 – Sky XF-3 – Flat Yellow XF-5 – Flat Green XF-50 – Field Blue XF-52 – Flat Earth XF-56 – Metallic Grey XF-58 – Olive Green XF-62 – Olive Drab XF-64 – Red Brown XF-65 – Field Grey The Supermarine Spitfire is regarded by many as the most esthetically designed single seat fighter to appear during the Second World War. It was conceived by the brilliant British designer Reginald J. Mitchell, and first flew on 5 March 1936. It was an advanced, low wing single seat monoplane with a very smooth flush riveted metal skin and a long flowing front cowling. Using the famous Rolls-Royce “Merlin” liquid cooled 12 cylinder engine that produced more than 1,000 horsepower, the Mk I Spitfire attained a top speed of 586km/h. The very distinctive elliptical shaped wing was useful in reducing parasitic drag and allowed a fairly thin wing construction. It carried a large coolant radiator under the starboard wing, and a small oil cooler under the port wing, giving it an asymmetrical appearance when viewed from the front and bottom. The retractable main landing gear also contributed to its smooth lines, and gave it higher performance. The Mk I Spitfire was armed with eight 7.7mm machine guns, four to each wing. The early production Mk I Spitfires used a fixed pitch wooden two blade propeller, which was later replaced with a two-pitch three blade propeller. The Spitfire's combat action in thwarting Germany's attempt to raid the English mainland during 1940, and known as the “Battle of Britain”, has ensured this fighter's pride of place in the minds of England's men and women forever.