Hobby Master 1/48 HA7816 Spitfire Mk.1 Battle of Britain Robert Doe WW2 Fighter Aircraft Model
"Spitfire Mk.I ""Battle of Britain"" X4036/D-AZ, flown by P/O Robert Doe, No.234 Sqnadron, Middle Wallop, August 1940"
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.
Robert Francis Thomas Doe completed his flight training in November 1939 and joined the 234 Squadron. On August 15 1940 Doe claimed his first victory, a Messerschmitt Bf-110 followed the next day by a Bf-109 and a Dornier Do-18. August 18 saw him claim another Bf-109 and damaging another. Rounding out August Doe shared a Ju-88 on the 21st and destroyed a Bf-109 on the 26th. By the end of WWII Doe had scored 14 kills, 2 shared, 1 probable and 5 damaged. Robert Doe retired in 1966 as a Wing Commander.