Everyone loves a Supermarine Spitfire and there have been plenty in the CORGI range over the years, but this Mk.IXc version features the first USAAF livery on this tooling. This striking design is a historic one, carried today by ‘The Suffolk Spitfire’.
The highly detailed design comes with removable undercarriage and rotating propeller, as well as a stand for display purposes.
This die-cast model has a limited edition run of only 1,100 units
History
When the 309th Fighter Squadron of the USAAF 12th Air Force moved to support Allied operations in North Africa, and subsequently on to Sicily and Italy, they took their Spitfire Mk.V fighters with them. However, they received upgraded Mk.IX variants of the Spitfire from April 1943 onwards.
These more powerful aircraft was used to provide fighter cover for Allied bombers across the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations, and even to protect earlier variants of the Spitfire which were still operational.
This beautifully presented Spitfire was the mount of Lt Robert Connor, who playfully embraced the less-than-flattering nickname squadron mates gave him, by having distinctive artwork painted on the starboard side of his Spitfire.
It featured the cartoon character Porky Pig and his Loony Tunes catchphrase ‘That’s All Folks’ in what resembled a slice of white bread. The aircraft carried the name ‘Porky II’ as the pilot was thought to have named an earlier Spitfire Mk.V ‘Porky’, and he had to distinguish between the two.
The 309th exchanged their Spitfire Mk.IX fighters for North American P-51B Mustangs in March 1944, but not before writing a particularly interesting chapter in the annals of USAAF chronicles.
An aircraft wearing these markings is currently one of the star attractions on the UK airshow circuit, operating as ‘The Suffolk Spitfire’. Resplendent in its unusual USAAF markings, it is one of the most distinctive restored Spitfires flying today.
Understanding Scale
The scale of a model is its size as a proportion to the real-life item. For instance, a 1:18 scale model means that every 1 unit of measurement on the model equals 18 units on the real item. If you divide the real item's size by 18, you'd get the size of the 1:18 model. Please note that models can vary slightly in size, as not all real-life items, like cars or planes, have the same dimensions.
Model Cars:
- 1:12 scale: ~38 cm or 15 inches
- 1:18 scale: ~25 cm or 10 inches
- 1:24 scale: ~18 cm or 7 inches
- 1:43 scale: ~10 cm or 4 inches
- 1:64 scale: ~7 cm or 2.75 inches
- 1:76 scale: ~6 cm or 2.3 inches
Model Trucks:
- 1:12 scale: ~75 cm or 29.5 inches
- 1:18 scale: ~50 cm or 19.7 inches
- 1:24 scale: ~38 cm or 15 inches
- 1:43 scale: ~21 cm or 8.3 inches
- 1:64 scale: ~14 cm or 5.5 inches
- 1:76 scale: ~12 cm or 4.7 inches
Model Bikes:
- 1:6 scale: ~30 cm or 12 inches
- 1:10 scale: ~18 cm or 7 inches
- 1:12 scale: ~15 cm or 6 inches
Product Disclaimer
This model car is hand-built. Due to the nature of hand-crafted miniatures, minor imperfections are to be expected. These are a normal part of the production process, as manufacturers work within set tolerances, meaning some small defects are considered acceptable. If you receive a model with a significant defect, we are happy to assist and will address the issue accordingly by offering a return or refund. However, please understand that minor imperfections do not qualify as faults but rather reflect the craftsmanship involved in creating these models. Thank you for your understanding and appreciation of these hand-built collectibles.
Delivery:
- Orders placed before 14:00 (Monday-Friday) are dispatched the same day. After 14:00, they're dispatched the next working day.
- Delays may occur during high order volume. Any significant delays will be communicated via email.
- We ship globally, with specific rates for different zones:
- Delivery confirmation and tracking number provided post-dispatch.
Returns & Refunds:
- 30-day return policy. Items must be unused, in original packaging.
- No returns on hazardous or flammable items.
- Start returns by emailing support@model-universe.com. Do not return to the manufacturer.
- Returns address: Model Universe, 3 Hagley Court North, The Waterfront, Dudley, West Midlands, DY5 1XF, UK.
- Refund processing times vary; contact us if delays occur. Sale items may have different refund terms.
For detailed info on shipping zones, lost/damaged shipments, duties, and our full return policy, click here.
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