GeminiJets Gemini Aces GARAF1010
Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX Diecast Model
RAF No.81 Sqn, EN520, Colin Gray, Tunisia, April 1943 | Limited Edition
700
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX | | 5.25" | | 6.25" |
Spitfire (EN520) coded FL-A was flown by then Squadron Leader Colin Gray in Tunisia in the Spring of 1943. Squadron Leader Gray was the Commanding Officer of No 81 Sqn RAF. This model of EN520 carries the CO's emblem under the windscreen. The squadron operated these Mk IX Spitfires from January until November 1943. Gray was promoted to Wing Commander in May 1943 and took over No.322 Wing for the Italian campaign. In June and July 1943 he claimed five kills, including to JG 53 109Gs on 14 June and 10 July, a Macchi C.202 of 1 Stormo on 17 June and two Junkers Ju 52 transports of TG1 on 25 July. He was awarded a second bar to the DFC in November.
Colin Gray was a New Zealander and was that countries top scoring ace of WWII. He is credited with 27 individual and two shared aerial victories plus six probable kills, with a further four shared probables. After the war he continued in various command and staff posts, and was involved in the fighting in the Malayan Emergency. He retired as Group Captain in March 1961 and returned to New Zealand to work for Unilever as personnel director until 1979. In 1945 he married Betty Cook, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. He also wrote "Spitfire Patrol", an autobiography detailing his time in the RAF. Gray died in Waikanae New Zealand on 1 August 1995.
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. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Gemini's 1:72 scale Spitfire is constructed using more diecast metal than most other models on the market today. This quality model boasts an all metal propeller and spinner hub—features uncommon in this scale—all metal landing gear and exhaust stacks, a solid metal antenna, a metal scale tail wheel and movable elevators and rudders with metal hinges. Other fine details include a nose scope that securely attaches to the landing gear for both ground and in-flight display. A delicate hand-painted mirror is mounted on the canopy, and the fuselage, wings and control surfaces are detailed with fine rivets and panel lines. Some variants have a clipped wing.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The GeminiJets "Gemini Aces" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
GeminiJets "Gemini Aces" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with minimal use of plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moveable control surfaces.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Metal presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Photo-etched, spinning metal propellers.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
