Historical:

The Battle of Britain (German: Luftschlacht um England, literally "Air battle for England") is the name given to the Second World War air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces, and was also the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign to that date.

The German objective was to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force (RAF), especially Fighter Command. From July 1940, coastal shipping convoys and shipping centres, such as Portsmouth, were the main targets; one month later, the Luftwaffe shifted its attacks to RAF airfields and infrastructure. As the battle progressed, the Luftwaffe also targeted aircraft factories and ground infrastructure. Eventually the Luftwaffe resorted to attacking areas of political significance and using terror bombing strategy.

By preventing Germany from gaining air superiority, the British compelled Hitler to postpone (and eventually cancel altogether) Operation Sea Lion, an amphibious and airborne invasion of Britain. However, Germany continued bombing operations on Britain, known as The Blitz. The failure of Germany to achieve its objectives of destroying Britain's air defences, or forcing Britain to negotiate an armistice or even an outright surrender, is considered its first major defeat and a crucial turning point in the Second World War.

The Battle of Britain has an unusual distinction in that it gained its name prior to being fought. The name is derived from a famous speech delivered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the House of Commons more than three weeks prior to the generally accepted date for the start of the battle:

... What General Weygand has called Battle of France is over ... the Battle of Britain is about to begin." — Winston Churchill

About this Special Set:

No model aircraft enthusiast can afford to let this set pass you by! To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain – the turning point of WWII – this year, we have selected three iconic RAF aircraft from the conflict. First is the legendary Spitfire, whose designer R J Mitchell did not live long enough to see the tremendous impact his aircraft would have; the Hurricane – the unsung hero, that is usually overshadowed by the Spitfire but played an unrivalled role in the skies of 1940; and finally, the Gloster Gladiator, the last of the bi-planes that served in the early years of WWII and played its part before being replaced by the advent of the monoplane. This three-piece set is displayed in special 70th Anniversary packaging, with splendid box art featuring the three aircraft in an atmospheric airborne mode. The inner lid gives information on the pilots and also the squadron markings.

Info: Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Collection – Gladiator Mk.II (247 Sqn), Hurricane Mk.I (87 Sqn) & Spitfire Mk.I (609 Sqn), 1940