HOBBY MASTER AIR POWER SERIES

Historical Note:    

Born in Christchurch, Gray was accepted into the RAF in 1939 on a short service commission, after two previous attempts failed on medical grounds. He flew with No. 54 Squadron during the Battle of France. He flew extensively for the majority of the Battle of Britain and by September 1940, he had shot down 14 enemy aircraft and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He fulfilled a training role for the next few months before returning to offensive operations in early 1941.

Gray commanded No. 616 Squadron on the Channel Front and was awarded a Bar to his DFC before being sent to the Mediterranean theatre of operations to lead No. 64 Squadron. By 1943 he was a wing commander and flew a number of operations in the North African and Italian Campaigns. By the end of the year he had destroyed at least a further 13 enemy aircraft and been awarded the Distinguished Service Order. A return to Europe followed and in September 1944, he commanded a wing supporting the airborne operations of the Battle of Arnhem. He finished the war with a confirmed 27 victories. After the war he held a number of staff and command positions in the RAF before his eventual retirement in 1961. He returned to New Zealand to work for Unilever. He died in 1995 at the age of 80.

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.

Hobby Master's 1:48 scale late model Spitfire is cleverly designed to provide the collector with a reasonably-priced, top-quality product with just the right number of features. The canopy is removable for an unobstructed view of the instrument panel with pad-printed gauges and seat. The all-metal five-bladed propeller spins freely and the rudder and elevators are movable. The near-solid metal wing features hinged metal landing gear with integrated metal gear doors and radiator ducts with inside core details seen both front and back. Variants include the Mk.XIV with Large flat back blister canopy and the Mk. XIX with standard Malcolm hood canopy.

Info:    Spitfire Mk XIV - RAF Lympne Wing, RM787, Colin Gray, RAF Lympne, England, October 1944