Description: The Gosling Amphibian (US name "Widgeon"), was used by the Royal Navy, RAF and US Coast guard for rescue and communication missions, having been developed from a civil version in 1941
Description: Called out in any weather, day or night, Walrus air/sea rescue aircraft frequently alighted in enemy coastal waters to pick up ditched Allied airmen from their dinghies, sometimes putting down in minefields where rescue launches could not venture.
Ref: AIR02003
Created: 07/06/2011
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER TF. X
Description: Serving until the 1960s with the Royal Air Force, the Bristol Beaufighter became one of the most successful aircraft types through her service in the Battle of Britain, and all other major theatres during WWII. A two-seat torpedo fighter aircraft, the last major version (2,231 built) was the Mk X.
Description: The legendary Spitfire has come to be seen as the fighter of the Second World War. This kit features the earliest version, the Mk I, with its two bladed propeller and early canopy, and the final Battle of Britain variant, the improved Mk IIa. Both are hugely important versions of the Spitfire and highlight the number of changes of the airframe in the short period between their introductions.
The operational history of the Spitfire with the RAF started with the first Mk Is which entered service with 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford on 4 August 1938.
The MkIIa was fitted with a superior propellor and 8 wing-mounted Browning machine guns.
Description: Easy handling, powerful armament, and invulnerability to ground fire made it a devastating ground attack aircraft But losses were extremely high from German fighters, and several of Germany’s highest-ranking aces gained most of their kills against IL-2s.