**ONLY ONE LEFT! THIS ITEM IS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION**

P9931/B, No.212 Squadron, RAF, Seclin, France, Spring 1940 - Before the Second World War the conventional wisdom was to use converted bomber types for airborne photo reconnaissance. These bombers retained their defensive armament, which was vital since they were unable to avoid interception. In 1939 it was suggested that airborne reconnaissance may be a task better suited to fast, small aircraft, which would use their speed and high service ceiling to avoid detection and interception. No. 212 Squadron was formed on August 20, 1918, based at the seaplane station at Great Yarmouth. It carried out antisubmarine patrols for the rest of the war and disbanded in February 1920. On February 10, 1940, No. 212 re-formed at Heston to carry out strategic photographic reconnaissance duties in France, working closely with the Photographic Development Unit. It was intended to have three detachments each of three Spitfires, but in the absence of sufficient camera-equipped Spitfires, No. 212 was equipped with Blenheims. After flying some operational missions, the detachment in France was forced to evacuate its base and the squadron was absorbed by the Photographic Development Unit on January 18, 1940. It was redesignated the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit in July.

Info: Supermarine Spitfire Mk I Diecast Model RAF No.212 Sqn, P9931, Seclin, France, Spring 1940