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Supermarine Spitfire MkIXc, ML407 - SQ LDR John 'Johnnie' HoultonConstructed as a Mk IXc variant at the famous Castle Bromwich 'Shadow Factory' in early 1944, Supermarine Spitfire ML407 stamped her name in history as the first Allied fighter to claim a Luftwaffe aircraft shot down following the Allied amphibious landings on D-Day. It also boasts an impressive post-war flying career which continues to this day. She flew operationally throughout the final months of the Second World War, serving with six different squadrons of the RAF's 2nd Tactical Air Force and amassing 176 combat sorties and 319 hours of combat flying in the process. She was delivered to No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron on 29th April 1944, where she became the aircraft assigned to Flying Officer Johnnie Houlton in preparation for operations covering the D-Day landings. No. 485 Squadron moved to operate from RAF Selsey, as this was the closest UK mainland airfield to the landing beaches the squadron's aircraft would have to protect on 6th June 1944. On D-Day, Houlton caught sight of a Junkers Ju-88 attempting to find cover in the clouds, and, having adjusted his new gyroscopic gunsight for a longer distance shot, gave the Luftwaffe aircraft short burst from around 500 yards. The Ju-88 burst into flames and plummeted earthwards, with the crew taking to their parachutes. Houlton and Spitfire ML407 had just become the first Allied pilot/aircraft combination to shoot down an enemy aircraft following the D-Day landings.

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Fokker D.VII (OAW) Ltn. - Kurt MonningtonUndoubtedly one of the finest fighting aeroplanes of the Great War and definitely the most capable fighter to ever see Deutsche Luftstreitkrfte service, the Fokker D.VII was developed in response to the introduction of several new Allied fighter types, aircraft which gained a hard fought superiority of the skies over the Germans. Aircraft such as the Sopwith Camel and Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a had managed to turn the tables on the Luftstreitkrfte in the skies over the Western Front and the Germans knew something had to be done. The Military Aviation Bureau decided to hold a major competition to find a new fighter to redress this imbalance, inviting all the major aviation manufacturers, plus a few smaller companies, to send their aircraft for evaluation by current air aces, with the victorious aircraft almost certain to go into immediate production.Famous Dutch designer Anthony Fokker was sure that a design he had been working on was capable of winning this competition and instructed his talented lead designer Reinhold Platz to head the project, using all means at his disposal to have the aircraft ready in time. The new aircraft incorporated everything he had learned whilst designing combat aeroplanes, in addition to including some innovations never seen on an aircraft to this point, ensuring this machine had the best chance of success. Crucially, although initially intended to be powered by a rotary engine, the availability of the Mercedes D.IIIa engine gave the Fokker team access to a powerful, proven engine, which would al

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Bristol F-2B Fighter - No.111 Sqn - Egypt, October 1917With the aeroplane becoming such a vital weapon during the Great War and with the Royal Flying Corps' Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c reconnaissance aircraft suffering so badly at the hands of the German Fokker Eindecker, an effective replacement in the armed reconnaissance/fighter role was desperately needed. At the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Chief Designer Frank Barnwell was determined that he was going to produce such an aircraft and he was uniquely qualified to deliver on his promise. A qualified Royal Flying Corps pilot with combat flying experience over the Western Front, he knew what qualities the new aircraft must possess and perhaps of even greater importance, what RFC crews would need from it. The new aircraft must be capable of effectively defending itself from enemy attack, but also to possess the ability to turn the tables in such circumstances and make any Luftstreitkräfte pilot regret their decision to tangle with the new British aircraft.The prototype Bristol Type 12 (F.2A) made its maiden flight on 9th September 1916 and powered by the new 190hp Rolls Royce Falcon I engine, posted impressive performance from the start. A relatively large and purposeful aircraft, suitably impressed War Office officials placed an order for further development aircraft and 50 production aircraft for RFC training units, all of which would eventually be assigned to No.48 Squadron. Following training in the UK, this unit would take their Bristol Fighters across the Channel and make their combat debut in April 1917 at the Battle of Arras.

Note any reference to MSRP MAP above in description are to be ignored. They represent USA $ pricing and are not valid for Canadian prices.