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Code: OD-72SET01A

Status: Sold out - Discontinued
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Oxford Diecast History of Flight 72SET01A
Diecast Model
RAF, Battle of Britain, 1940, 3-Piece Set

1:72 Scale     Length     Width
Supermarine Spitfire Mk I     5"     6.25"
Hawker Hurricane Mk I     5.25"     6.75"
Gloster Gladiator Mk II     4.5"     5.25"

2015 commemorates the 75th Anniversary of one of the pivotal series of events of the Second World War when in 1940, Great Britain was fighting for her very existence against the bombardment of our country by the German Luftwaffe. Here at Oxford, we remember this period in our history with the release of a three-piece set of 1:72 scale aircraft. Each of the aircraft is mounted on a plinth with a legend detailing its identity. Firstly comes the Gloster Gladiator MKII, the bi-plane in use by the RAF at the beginning of the War, seen here in RAF camouflage colours with identity markings HP-B N2308 and in reverse order on the other side. The lettering on the plinth reads Gloster Gladiator MkII. Flight Lieutenant A E Makins. 247 Squadron, Roborough 1940. The next model is the iconic Spitfire MkI, also in RAF camouflage colours, PR-Q R6690 (reversed on the other side) as flown by Flying Officer John Dundas of 609 Squadron, Middle Wallop, 1940. Note the stag emblem printed in white under the cockpit window and the highly detailed wheels with black tyres and duck egg green wheel centres. Finally the Hurricane MkI, makes up the third model in the set, modelled on the aircraft piloted by Flight Lieutenant I R Gleed of 87 Squadron, Exeter 1940. It is also decorated in the dark green/dark earth and duck egg green camouflage colour scheme of the RAF, with the duck egg green applied to the wheel centres as well as the underbelly of the aircraft. A tiny little detail below the cockpit window features the pilot's personal cartoon character with one Swastika, indicating his victory tally to date.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk I

Designed by R.J.Michell to meet a British Air Ministry specification, the Supermarine Spitfire first flown on March 5th, 1936. With its combination of beautiful fighter design, the excellent performance of its Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplant and firepower provided by twin cannons and four machine guns, the Spitfire became an unrivaled symbol of victory. The Spitfire had 40 major variants and was built in greater numbers than any other British aircraft of the time. It flew operationally on every front between 1939 and 1945 and was engaged in every one of the Royal Air Force's major actions.

Hawker Hurricane Mk I

Based on the Fury biplane and designed by Sydney Camm as a monoplane fighter, the Hurricane was first flown on November 6th, 1935. With its wide-set landing gear, easy handling, reliability, and stable gun platform, the Hurricane was suitable for a variety of different roles such as intruder, ground strafing and night fighter. Steel-tube construction meant cannon shells could pass right through the wood and fabric covering without exploding. The Hurricane underwent many modifications during its lifetime, including an upgraded Merlin engine and interchangeable multi-purpose wings, staging twelve 7.7mm guns and two 40mm anti-tank guns and carrying two 500lb bombs.

Gloster Gladiator Mk II

Designed as an improvement over the Gauntlet, the Gladiator was first flown on September 12th, 1934. The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter, used by the Royal Air Force and Navy and exported to a number of other air forces. Though often pitted against more advanced modern aircraft, it achieved wartime fame in the hands of skilled pilots, fighting some of the most dramatic battles of the early war years. Sea Gladiators were successful as carrier-based aircraft because their slower speed made them suitable for carrier operations, and because they were less likely to be facing modern fighter opposition.