Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA29105
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX Diecast Model
RAF No.453 Sqn, MH487, Donald Smith, Normandy, France, D-Day, June 6th 1944 | |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
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Learning to fly in his native Australia, Donald Hamilton Smith was posted to an operational RAF squadron following the successful completion of his RAF service conversion in late 1941, and would later spend time flying in defence of Malta. He would be the recipient of an unusual award whilst on the island, as he was presented with the Soviet Medal for Valour, awards which the Soviets gave to the RAF to hand out as they saw fit, but in this case, for the tenacity Smith had shown in combat.
Becoming acting CO of No.453 Squadron on 2nd May 1944, he led the unit on many offensive sweeps into northern France in preparation for D-Day, mainly against enemy radar installations. The squadron were up early to fly the first of 4 sorties over the beachheads on D-Day itself, but didn't encounter enemy aircraft activity at all on that fateful day, something which would become the norm over the next few days. They would encounter the Luftwaffe on 16th June, when twelve Spitfires engaged a similar number of Bf 109 fighters, with several subsequently falling to the guns of the RAAF Spitfires, two being credited to their Commanding Officer Smith. As Allied forces pushed the enemy inland from the beachheads, No.453 Squadron moved operations to the Advanced Landing Ground B.11 at Longues-sur-Mer, just off the Normandy coast, and close to the German Atlantic Wall coastal battery between the Omaha and Gold landing beaches.
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. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
