AIRFIX (118)

While it is the pilots that often receive the most acclaim for their role in defending the United Kingdom from the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in the late summer of 1940, they could never have completed this job alone. Supporting the pilots were many more men and women from across the UK who served as ground crew, performing the vital tasks of refuelling, rearming and maintaining fighter aircraft in between sorties. This was a particularly hazardous task during the Luftwaffe attacks and hit-and-run raids upon RAF airfields. In addition to refuelling and re-arming Spitfires and Hurricanes with thousands of .303 rounds, these hard-working people also patched up damaged fighters, started the engines before sorties, and assisted pilots despite the hectic pace of the battle. The bombing raids and strafing attacks claimed many lives and many more ground crew members were injured, but they carried on, both through the battle and throughout the remainder of the war, often working both in the blazing sun and freezing cold, ensuring that the RAF had the means to defend the skies of Great Britain. Includes 8 Ground Crew Figures 2 Pilot Figures 1 Trolley Accumulator 1 Oil Bowser 1 Ammunition Trolley Wheel Chock Miscellaneous Support Equipment

Quickly outclassed as a day fighter during the Battle of Britain, the Boulton Paul Defiant was tasked with protecting Britain from night bombing raids by the Luftwaffe. Not trained to fight at night, Defiant crews had to develop interception techniques as they fought but found the aircraft much more suited to this nocturnal fighting environment. After enjoying initial success against Luftwaffe pilots unfamiliar with Britain's turret fighter, Defiant crews soon discovered the limitations of their aircraft. The significant weight of the gun turret, combined with a relatively poor arc of defensive fire, meant that German Messerschmitts soon learned how to attack these unusual aircraft. As combat losses began to mount, RAF Defiants were relegated to night fighting duties, where the aircraft was much less vulnerable and could make better use of its offensive firepower. As the night Blitz against London raged, Defiant crews had to develop their own interception techniques, as many were not trained in this type of fighting. They soon began to score victories against the Luftwaffe raiders, helping to establish a cohesive night defence system and rebuilding the reputation of the Defiant. These all-black nocturnal hunters became some of the most distinctive RAF aircraft of the Second World War.

The PR.XIX was the final photo reconnaissance version of the Spitfire to see active RAF service. Produced by mating features of the Mk.XI Spitfire to the powerful Griffon engine of the XIV, the PR.XIX was one of the fastest and, some say, best-looking of all Spitfire variants. Due to its role as a reconnaissance machine, it featured no armament, relying upon its high top speed to evade potential enemies. After the war, the PR.CIC served in the Far East, operating over Hainan Island and performing the RAF’s last ever operational sortie by a Spitfire over Malaya on 10th June 1957.

The Folland Gnat was a small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter developed by Folland for the RAF, and flown extensively by the Indian Air Force. Its design allowed construction without specialised tools by countries that were not highly industrialised. Although never used as a fighter by the RAF, the Gnat T.1 trainer was widely used.

Born out of Germany’s apparent obsession with the heavy fighter concept, the Messerschmitt Me 410 was an excellent multi-role successor to the Messerschmitt Bf 110 but entered service too late due to the protracted development of its immediate predecessor, the Me 210. The A-1 variant was described as a high-performance light bomber. Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 17.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 22.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 149 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 226 Schemes A04069 - Messerschmitt Me410A-1, WNr.10185, U5+KG, 16./Kampfgeschwader 2, Amsterdam-Schipol, Netherlands, October 1943. (A) A04069 - Messerschmitt Me410A-1, U5+CX, 13./Kampfgeschwader 2, Coulommiers, France, August 1943. (B)

With its reputation for building capable, modern twin-engined commercial airliners, when the British Purchasing Commission saw details of the Lockheed Company’s proposal for a light bomber design in 1938, they knew it was the aircraft they were looking for. They needed a maritime patrol aircraft capable of supporting the Avro Anson in this role and agreed to purchase the new aircraft, calling it the Hudson in RAF service. By the start of the Second World War, the RAF had 78 Hudsons in service, which were all fitted with distinctive Boulton Paul dorsal turrets once they arrived in Britain.

With the nickname “pneumonia wagon” due to its collapsible windscreen, the Bedford MWD truck was used throughout the Second World War by the RAF. Seen here with both early and late war options, this vehicle that transported the RAF ground crew was considered to be just as important as the aircraft they flew and maintained.

Built around the legendary attributes of the rugged Land Rover series, the 1 Tonne Forward Control vehicle was designed to meet a British Army requirement for an effective light gun tractor, one which was also capable of transporting 1 tonne of ammunition and other equipment in its load compartment. These vehicles were also required to be carried by air transport, and repositioning the Rover V8 engine to a position behind the cab removed the bonnet and gave these vehicles their distinctive flat front profile. These small, yet powerful 4x4 vehicles continued the legacy of the highly successful Land Rover in military service.

Satisfying a Royal Air Force requirement for an effective medium support helicopter, when the Westland Puma HC.1 entered service with No.33 Squadron in 1971, it was the first Anglo-French aircraft collaboration of its kind. Possessing exceptional speed and agility, the Puma was capable of carrying 16 passengers, 12 fully equipped troops, or two tonnes of cargo, either carried internally, as an underslung load, or via a combination of the two. An incredibly versatile and reliable helicopter, the latest variant of this magnificent aircraft remains in service with the RAF, some 53 years since those first machines arrived at RAF Odiham.

A light, yet robust modern field gun, this impressive weapon was flexible enough for troops fighting in the most inhospitable of terrain and could be towed by Army Land Rovers, or carried as an underslung load beneath the larger British helicopter types. In service with the British Army from 1976, this new weapon was designed to possess greater range and lethality than its predecessor, whilst retaining the portability of that unit, however, this did make it a heavy gun. Produced in large numbers, these guns were exported widely and served with distinction during the Falklands War.

The aviation hero of the Battle of Britain, the Hawker Hurricane is one of the most significant aircraft in British aviation history - the RAF’s first production aircraft to exceed 300mph and the first multi-gun monoplane fighter in RAF service. Thirty-two Squadrons of Hurricanes saw action during the Battle of Britain.

Significant in the history of aerial warfare, the Fokker Eindecker was the first purpose-built First World War German fighter aircraft and the first to be fitted with gun synchronisation gear. This gear allowed the pilot to shoot through the arc of the propeller and in his line of sight. Once introduced, it took a withering toll on Allied aircraft.

A specialist variant of the Westland Sea King, the HC.4 was the Royal Navy's Commando troop carrying and resupply helicopter replacement for their Wessex HU.5 helicopters and a development of similar aircraft produced for the Egyptian and Qatari Air Forces. 42 newly built helicopters were eventually produced in this configuration, which by their nature, were never too far from any action hotspots.Deployed to combat zones right across the world during their 36-year service career, the Junglie as it was affectionately known, served with distinction from the Falklands War, through to the UK's campaign in Afghanistan. King of the Junglies Known as ‘King of the Junglies’, ZA298 was the longest serving Sea King HC.4. For over 30 years it was active in wars in the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. This latest iteration of our 1:48 scale Westland Sea King 2023 tooling includes new parts, not included in the first release. These include: Folding rotor blades and tail Undercarriage without sponsons unique to HC.4 variant New interior parts including lengthened cabin and extra seats Open/closed door option GPMG machine gun mount New cockpit detail parts Extra antenna and countermeasures detail parts to suit the HC.4’s front-line role

During the early stages of WWII, the American built Curtiss P-40B proved to be one of the most important fighter aircraft available to Allied Air Forces. Flying with the RAF in North Africa and the American Volunteer Group in China, the Allison V-1710-33 powered P-40B was to became one of the most distinctive fighters of the entire war, wearing their fearsome shark-mouth artwork.Arguably, the most striking versions of the P-40 were the early machines, which displayed an extremely sinister profile '”œ with a shorter, more pointed nose and an extremely throaty Allison V-1710 engine, the P-40B (Tomahawk IIa in RAF service) aircraft looked almost like flying Great White sharks. When RAF No.112 Squadron of the Desert Air Force added aggressive looking sharks teeth and eyes to their aircraft in 1941, they inadvertently turned their Tomahawks into some of the most iconic aircraft of WWII and certainly some of the most visually appealing. These designs would find their way on to many different aircraft throughout the remainder of the war, but the RAF Desert Air Force certainly started the trend.Specifications How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 106 Item Scale: 1:48 License line: BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 237

First unveiled at the Geneva show in 2016, the 8.0L W16 Quad turbo charged Bugatti Chiron is a remarkable example of the state-of-the-art Bugatti engineering. As a successor to the iconic Bugatti Veyron, the Chiron has been developed to produce a staggering 1,479BHP. The breath-taking vehicle is capable of reaching an incredible top speed of 261MPH. The Small Starter Set Bugatti Chiron offers exceptional detail and the perfect option for beginners at a 1:43 scale. Contents 4 Acrylic Paints Poly-Cement Brushes Decals Sprues Specification 1:43 Scale Parts Included: 39 Skill Level:1 Scheme Options: 1

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. Contains Sprues Decals

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. Contains Sprues Decals

Launched at the Birkenhead shipyard of Cammel Laird on the 13th April 1937, H.M.S. Ark Royal was involved in the sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck. Later she was torpedoed by the German Submarine U-81. At 06:13 hrs. on 14th November 1941, she went down, with only one sailor losing his life. Mould tools made in 1966 Box illustration by Roy Cross, 1966. Specification 1:600 Scale Parts Included: 353 Skill Level: 3 Scheme Options: 1

One of the Town Class Batch 3 cruisers, the Belfast saw action at the Battle of the North Cape in World War II, as well as protecting the Artic convoys and taking a major role during the D-Day landings. After being refitted and seeing action in other conflicts including the Korean War, she is now preserved and anchored in the River Thames near to Tower Bridge in London. Specification 1:600 Scale Parts Included: 250 Skill Level: 3 Scheme Options: 1

Launched by the MINI WRC team during the 2011 World Rally Championship, the MINI Countryman WRC is the first rally car to bear the MINI label in the top level rallying since the 1960s. Much was made of this historical connection, with press events being undertaken using both the four wheel drive 300bhp 1,600 turbo charged MINI WRC, as well as historical forebear, the 1960s Cooper S. This model comes with a fully detailed interior. Contents  sprues, decals, paints, glue & brush Specification 1:32 Scale Parts Included: 71 Skill Level:2 Scheme Options: 1

As the North American Mustang was developed as a direct result of a British Air Ministry requirement, it is somehow fitting that the RAF and Commonwealth air forces used the aircraft extensively during WWII. The British designation for the later P-51D version was Mustang IV, with the Dallas built P-51K, which used a different Aeroproducts propeller, referred to as the Mustang IVa. Scheme 1: KM272 Dooleybird 19 Squadron RAF 1945. Scheme 2: KH676/CV-A Flg Off A F Lane, 3 Squadron RAAF Cervia Italy, April 1945. Produced under licensed. Boeing, Douglas, McDonnell Douglas, North American Aviation, A-4 Skyhawk, AH-64 Apache Longbow, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, C-47, DC-3, F-4 Phantom, P-51 Mustang, their distinctive logos, product markings, and trade dress are alltrademarks of The Boeing Company. Includes Sprues Decals

A pure fusion of science and art in automotive form. The Speedtail is McLaren’s first ever Hyper-GT and the most aerodynamically efficient hypercar ever, making it the fastest McLaren to date. The McLaren Speedtail brings together unprecedented levels of innovation and elegance to create a new benchmark in automotive design, offering owners extraordinary opportunities for bespoke personalisation. Just 12.8 seconds, that’s all it takes for the Speedtail to reach 300km/h from a standing start. This is the fastest acceleration delivered by any McLaren to date. But the Speedtail is a car that pushes ever further. Keep on accelerating, and the car will reach its staggering top speed of 403km/h (250mph) – higher than any McLaren ever created. Outstripping even the McLaren F1. It’s the combined result of a stunning aerodynamic design. Specification No Scale Parts Included: 37 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1

Inspired by the original AEC Routemaster, Wrightbus introduced the New Routemaster in 2012. It was noted for having a rear open platform with "hop-on hop-off" capability, similar to the original Routemaster. Brick by brick, these striking new model kits have been carefully designed to guide children aged 6+ through the building process, as they build icons of the capital, no glue needed! Durable enough to play and display with joy, the New Routemaster Bus is our biggest Quickbuild set to date, includes 88 parts, moving wheels and stickers. Specification No Scale Parts Included: 88 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1

Quickbuild allows you to create a wide variety of iconic scale models. No paint or glue is required, the push together brick system results in in a realistic, scale model that is compatible with other plastic brick brands. Suitable as an introduction to modelling for any age of 6 and up, the pre coloured pieces simply push together to build an impressive model which can then be decorated with the included self-adhesive stickers. When built they are tough enough to be used as toys, or smart enough to use as display models. A mix of the iconic Jeep Wrangler with the concept of a hot rod gives you this amazing Jeep Quicksand Concept, created for enthusiasts who love the sand life! The Jeep Quicksand concept features a longer wheelbase than the standard two-door Wrangler. The body has been trimmed in the front and the rear, while the hardtop and the windshield have been chopped giving the Quicksand a longer, faster, and lower appearance. With an open-top and no windows, you are exposed to the elements of the outdoors and can take in the sound and the wind from your journeys. Specification No Scale Parts Included: 49 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1