Spitfire Mk.Ia N3277 AZ-H
Comments
Gary VictoryReally nice clean build Dani, Lovely to see the engine detail. Top Job...👍
Album info
Spitfire N3277 (Production number 490) came off the production line and into its first flight on 5th January 1940. By 15th April 1940 it was transferred to No. 234 Squadron RAF, where it would serve through its career. While stationed at RAF Middle Wallop through the Battle of Britain, the aircraft was lost in action. On 15th August 1940, while out over the Channel, P/O Richard Hardy found himself cut off. Goaded by a pursuing Messerschmitt towards France, he was forced to land at Cherbourg. Hardy survived the war in a prison camp.
The aircraft itself, however, was of considerable interest to the Germans. This was the first Spitfire that had been captured in an airworthy condition, and so, after being hastily painted with Luftwaffe Balkenkreuz, it was taken away and tested extensively to teach German pilots valuable lessons about their formidable opponent.
Using the considerable number of reference photographs taken by the Germans after capturing N3277, and through a fairly exhaustive amount of research into Spitfires of the period, I have achieved the most accurate depiction of this aircraft that I believe I can manage. Correct fitting of equipment (some of which had to be scratch built), accurate paint job, and weathering that very carefully follows that seen on the real aircraft, makes this an excellent depiction of this notable Spitfire. (EDIT: Tail navigation light and upper surface landing gear indicators were added to the model after photographs were taken)
For me, this airframe holds significance when it comes to model making. The very first model I ever made was a 1/72 Airfix Spitfire, in the markings of N3277. 16 years or so on from that, I decided to put everything I have into making the same airframe. It's in 1/48 this time, and has Eduard's excellent cockpit and engine sets to bring out even more detail, but this build to me shows how far I have come.
