Hobby Master 1/48 HA7814 Spitfire Mk.1 Flg Spitfire Off Richard Hillary WW2 Fighter Aircraft Model
Spitfire Mk.I X4277/XT-M, Flg Off Richard Hillary, No. 603 Sqn., Hornchurch
The Spitfire Mk.1 first became operational in July 1938 at Duxford, Cambridge. At the beginning of WWII 9 RAF squadrons were equipped with the Mk.1's with two others converting to the new aircraft. By June 1940 the Mk.1 was being replaced by the faster long-range Mk.II but not before the Mk.I had bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain. The Mk.I also flew protective cover over the evacuation of Dunkirk. The Mk.1A had 8 machine guns instead of 4, a bulged canopy, a 3-blade propeller, self-sealing fuel tanks, armored windscreen and armor plating in front of and behind the pilot.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. 1a X4277 XT-M arrived with the 603 Squadron (City of Edindurgh) on August 30th 1940. On August 27, 1940 603 Squadron moved to Hornchurch and on August 29, 1940 Hillary scored his first victory but his aircraft was badly damaged and crash landed. Assigned the new Spitfire Mk. 1 X4277 XT-M Richard Hillary scored 4 more victories. The 5th victory came on September 3, 1940 but he was once again shot down and badly burned. He returned to flying by piloting a Blenheim but died when the aircraft crashed during training.