Supermarine Spitfire MkIXc Aeroplane - Scale 1:24 Model Kit - Airfix - A17001

Product description

Supermarine Spitfire MkIXc Aeroplane - Scale 1:24 Model Kit - Airfix - A17001

In the world of aviation, is there any aircraft which can even come close to matching the iconic status the Supermarine Spitfire enjoys, a legacy which is as strong today as it was during the wartime years? A modern monoplane fighter aircraft which made its first flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5th March 1936, the Spitfire would earn its legendary reputation during the Battle of Britain, when the pilots of the Royal Air Force stood defiantly against the overwhelming might of the all-conquering Luftwaffe, an aviation beacon of hope for a nation and its people during their darkest hour. 

Elegant and graceful to look at, the Spitfire's appearance masked the fact that this was a deadly fighting aeroplane and one which was adaptable enough to undergo almost constant development throughout the wartime years, allowing later marks of the fighter to post speeds which were almost 100 mph faster than the first machines to enter service. With a service career which extended well into the post war years, the Spitfire outlived all its aviation contemporaries and with over 22,000 Spitfires of all variants (including Seafires) eventually being built, Spitfires are still a regular sight at Airshow events all over the world, as an ever increasing number of restored airworthy aircraft continue to write the enduring Spitfire story. Even though the prototype Spitfire made its first flight over 85 years ago, the aircraft is still widely regarded as Britain's most famous aircraft type and instantly recognisable to many millions of people the world over.

The Spitfire Mk.IX variant was arguably the most important mark of Spitfire in the entire production run and because of that, it is somewhat surprising to learn that it was actually something of a stop-gap development. The arrival of the Luftwaffe's new Focke Wulf 190 fighter over the Western Front in August 1941 saw RAF Spitfire Mk.Vs operating over the Channel falling victim to the 'Butcher Bird' in ever increasing numbers and something had to be done. A major Spitfire upgrade was in progress, but the Mk.VIII was still some way off, as manufacturing facilities prepared their tooling jigs for the new aircraft, but there was a temporary solution. One of the major features of the new Spitfire was its use of a powerful new version of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine and it was proposed that fitting this new engine to a Spitfire Mk.V airframe would give the fighter a welcome performance boost.

The first 100 Spitfire Mk.IX fighters were actually Mk.Vc airframes adapted to take the new Merlin 61 two stage, two speed supercharged engine, with this combination producing a thoroughbred fighting aeroplane, one which was more than capable of challenging the FW190 and the latest 'F' variant of the Messerschmitt Bf 109. In fact, the new Spitfire was considered so successful that this would become the second most heavily produced variant in the entire production run and if including the aircraft powered by the licence built Packard Merlin 266 (Spitfire Mk.XVI) even eclipsed the Mk.V in production numbers. With further powerplant refinement taking place throughout the production life of this variant, the first Mk.IX Spitfires started to join RAF Squadrons from July 1942, with this famous mark of Spitfire going on to see service past D-Day and into the post war era. The last major Merlin engine powered variant of the Spitfire, this 'emergency stop-gap fighter' actually became something of an aviation classic.

Item Length - Without Packaging (cm) 39.7 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm) 16.08 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm) 46.9 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? 433 Item Scale 1:24 Contents (what's in the box) sets Sprues & decals Finish Plastic Number of Scheme options 4 Skill Level 4 Flying Hours 4 Wingspan (mm) 469

Delivery & returns

Delivery

Standard Delivery costs £3.99 to UK mainland only (excluding Scottish Highlands & Islands). Delivery within 3-5 working days once despatched. Orders placed after 12 noon will be despatched the next working day. Delivery service used is either Royal Mail Tracked 48, Royal Mail 2nd Class or Parcelforce 48. Safe place option available. Please note this is not a guaranteed service.

Express Delivery costs £5.99. Delivery within 1-2 workings days once despatched. Orders placed after 12 noon will be despatched the next working day. Delivery service used is Royal Mail Tracked 24. Safe place option available. Please note this is not a guaranteed service.

Packaging

We as a company try to recycle packaging as much as possible. This includes delivery boxes and filling. So please be aware your products maybe packaged on arrival in a recycled box as we are just trying to help the environment a little bit.

Click here to read Sparkle's Delivery Policy

Returns

If you've changed your mind about keeping your purchase, please return it in its original condition with proof of purchase (delivery note or Invoice) and we'll exchange or refund it. Please email returns@giftenvy.co.uk if you wish to return an product, by return email you will receive a returns form to include in your parcel.

Unless faulty, this should be within 30 days of receiving your order. By original condition, we'd expect this to mean that you've kept packaging and labels, and that the item is unused and undamaged.

Buyer to pay return postage costs. We recommend that you obtain a certificate of postage with adequate insurance from the Post Office if making a return, to enable you to make a claim for any loss or damage, as we are unable to compensate for return parcels that are lost or damaged in transit.

Return address:

Gift Envy, Returns, Village Farm Business Park, Foston on the Wolds, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 8BJ

Once the item has been returned in it's original condition a full refund (excluding postage & packaging costs) will be processed within 14 days of receiving the item.

Faulty Items

All faulty items must be reported within 5 days of receiving the item, by emailing returns@giftenvy.co.uk

You will then receive by email a returns form to be fill in and included in the parcel, plus a pre-paid returns label to be attached to the parcel. This can then be dropped off at any post office. Please retained your proof of postage. 

Damaged in Transit 

All items that have arrived damaged must be reported within 3 days of receiving the item, by emailing returns@giftenvy.co.uk. Please include pictures of the damage, the packaging used and the box it arrived in. By return email you will be advised if a refund will be issued or a replacement sent and arrangements made for the damaged item. 

Refund Policy 

If you’ve changed your mind about keeping your purchase, please return it in its original condition with proof of purchase and we’ll exchange or refund it.

Unless faulty, this should be within 30 days of receiving your order. By original condition, we’d expect this to mean that you’ve kept packaging and labels, and that the item is undamaged and unused.

Once returned, we’ll refund the person who originally placed and paid for the order, by the same means the order was placed with within 14 days. This includes items you've purchased in Clearance events. 

Terms & Conditions

• If you've changed your mind about keeping your purchase, please return it in its original condition with proof of purchase and we'll exchange or refund it
• Unless faulty, this should be within 30 days of purchase
• Ordinarily if you have your receipt or delivery note we'll refund the original debit, credit or charge card used to purchase. This includes items you've purchased in sale events

Please return any unwanted item, unless faulty, in its original condition. We'd expect this to mean that: 

• you've kept all original packaging and labels
• it's undamaged and unused (excludes normal examination of the product as you might do in store)
• you haven't entered any personal data on to the product

    This does not affect your statutory rights.

Click here to read Sparkle's Returns Policy

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