Hello!

Allow me to present my 1/32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia. This particular Spitfire was flown during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.

2015 marked the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and this was my tribute to “The Few”. We all owe them a debt that we cannot repay. I am so proud of the Royal Air Force and the brave men and women who defended our shores during the Battle of Britain. As Churchill said: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

This Spitfire was flown by Geoffrey Wellum DFC, he was the youngest fighter pilot in the RAF during the Battle of Britain and his memoir “First Light” has become one of the finest accounts of the battle ever written.

Having read “First Light” several times I am full of pride and respect for the brave men of the RAF who defended Britain in her darkest hour.

Geoffrey Wellum served throughout the campaign with 92 Sqn winning a DFC. He was only relieved when he was diagnosed with extreme exhaustion and transferred to an OTU.
Wellum later found himself flying off an aircraft carrier in 1942 heading straight towards Malta. His account is both touching and inspirational and his story was told in the film “First Light” in 2010 to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle.

92 Squadron, RAF were the highest scoring fighter squadron of the Battle of Britain.

The kit:

I used the recent Revell release of their 1/32 Spitfire Mk.II, this kit is not without it’s problems but on the whole it can be built to a reasonable replica of this legendary fighter.
To enhance my model, I used Barracuda resin flying surfaces, radiator and cockpit parts. I also made use of the excellent Eduard PE set which produces excellent detail in the cockpit. The markings for QJ*K /K9998 are not currently available as an off the shelf decal sheet so I had to buy scaled sheets of RAF code letters from Xtradecals. With the usual set and sol treatment they set down well onto the airframes surface.

This model was painted with RAF coded Mr.Hobby acrylics. I have to mention that if you want excellent colour definition, these paints are spot on! They used to be a devil of a thing to buy in the UK, but now I have found a supplier in the far east who will sell me these paints and send them to me. At last!

When I completed this build I wanted to make a special display for it, so I have now installed the model in a display case with some figures to set the scene from Geoffrey Wellum’s novel “First Light”

I have to say this is one of my all-time favourite builds and of course it has pride of place in my collection. I hope you enjoy this tribute to “The Few”.

 

Take care and Happy Modelling!

Darren.

 

 

 

Remembering Geoffrey Wellum, 92 Squadron and “THE FEW”

92 Squadron  Spitfire’s in formation during the Battle of Britain.

 

Geoffrey Wellum, (right) with Brian Kingcombe.

Geoffrey Wellum united with a BBMF Spitfire finished in his markings.

The men of 92 Squadron, RAF.