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Memorabilia
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These
superb models made by
Oxford Diecast are now available
as part of
the range of Their Finest Hour products
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 click for larger image |
Supermarine
Spitfire
Mk
I
The
Spitfire
was
designed
as
a
short-range
high-performance
interceptor
aircraft
by
R. J. Mitchell, chief designer
at Supermarine Aviation Works. The Spitfire's elliptical wing had a
thin cross-section, allowing a higher top speed than the Hawker
Hurricane and several contemporary fighters. Speed was seen as
essential to carry out the mission of home defence against enemy
bombers.
After
the
Battle
of
Britain,
the
Spitfire
became
the
backbone of RAF Fighter Command and saw action
in the European Theatre, Pacific Theatre and the South-East Asian
theatre. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service in several
roles, including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber,
carrier-based fighter, and trainer; it was built in many different
variants, with two different types of engine and several wing
configurations.
£13.95 + £2 p&p
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Hawker
Hurricane
Mk
I
The
brave
and
efficient
little
Hurricane
has
arguably
been
overshadowed
in favour of the legendary Spitfire in
the annals of WWII aviation history. However, along with the Spitfire,
the Hurricane played a significant role in winning the Battle of
Britain in 1940, accounting for the majority of the RAF victories. It
was also a successful and highly effective night fighter.
It
was
designed
by
Sydney
Camm,
and
developed
and
produced
by the Hawker Aircraft Company. Its design was
simple - a practical asset as much of the wartime repair work was done
in Squadron workshops. The first Hurricanes were made of steel spars
covered with fabric and powered by Merlin engines. They first entered
service with No 111 Squadron RAF at RAF Northolt in December 1938. By
the beginning of WWII, nearly 500 Hurricanes had been produced,
equipping 18 RAF Squadrons and by the end of the conflict had seen
service in all the major theatres of WWII.
£13.95 + £2 p&p
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Messerschmitt
Bf
109E
When
the
Bf
109
was
first
designed
in
1934,
by
a team led by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser, its
primary role was that of a high-speed, short range bomber interceptor.
It was one of the first true modern fighters of the era, including such
features as an all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and
retractable landing gear. In the years of the Blitzkrieg, the Bf 109
was the only single engined fighter operated by the Luftwaffe, until
the appearance of the Fw 190.
The
Bf
109E,
or
'Emil
'
introduced
a
number
of structural changes in order to accommodate the
heavier, but significantly more powerful 1,100 PS Daimler-Benz DB 601
engine, heavier armament and increased fuel capacity.
£13.95 + £2 p&p
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Junkers
Ju 87 Stuka
The
Junkers
Ju
87
was
a
two
seater
German
ground
attack
aircraft. It earned the name Stuka from the German word
Sturzkampfflugzeug meaning 'dive bomber'.Designed by Hermann Pohlmann,
it first flew in combat during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Between
1938 and 1944, around 6500 Ju 87s were made. Its dintinctive inverted
gull wings - specially reinforced to cope with the steep dives and
recovery - and fixed 'spat' undercarriage were instantly recognisable
but it was the wailing siren noise as it dived in bombing mode that
left a haunting memory for its victims on the ground.
The
Ju
87
was
a
strong,
accurate
and
effective
aircraft but it was outshone by the Allied aircraft during
the Battle of Britain, where its poor manoeuvrability and speed became
apparent, makingit an easy target.
£13.95 + £2 p&p
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