Not meant to be a static display model,
it took me a while to decide whether to include the featured model plane with
this blog or to assemble a regular plastic kit or create a paper version of the
“Supermarine Spitfire”. The plane as per namesake is not a sought after subject
for me but homage must be given to one of the most legendary machines when it comes to the topic of "Allies" wartime aviation. Anyone who is fascinated
with modern world history of the 1940’s world war is bound to read about this aircraft at
one point in time. My Spitfire is a “Testor” line controlled flying miniature
replica with a Nitro fuelled 0.49 engine approximately at 1:35th scale. Although
its probably lacking in details as a regular plastic kit its silhouette is good
enough to be distinguished for the plane it is supposed to be, the minimal
aesthetic restoration needed and the uniqueness of this piece for being a real
flying object is the key factors that necessitate me to use this piece. .. This
one is not made to sit on a shelve for visual admiration and gather dust … this
replica is destined to gather dust in the field powered flight.
Seeing the toy more than Thirty-Five
years ago during one of our family’s Sunday window shopping trips in a
department store, I showed it to my old man and ask if I could have it two weeks in advance before my birthday as
its number is dwindling on the display shelve; in fact by that time the actual
Airframe I was rooting for was gone and It was narrowed to two choices for me,
an American P51 Mustang and the British Spitfire, specifying the latter as my
first choice my father agreed to buy me an early present oddly without by this
time the usual calm reminder of my age and toys. Innocently my plan was to get
the other plane for Christmas which happens less than three weeks after my
“birth date” but my mother insisted that a boy my age should get wearables
instead …. So its goodbye “P51” …. Forever … and ever … ever.
Adult’s supervision is definitely
needed on the first few flight of this type of flying toy as it involves highly
flammable liquid fuel, Engine priming, glowing piston plug, zip stick starters,
and control lines; although the tiny engine sound is comparable to what Tinkerbelle’s
motorcycle will probably make; the irritating smoke fumes and propeller’s high
speed spinning is still an exhilarating
experience compared to just looking at a static model plane that is stationary
on a bookshelf or hanging on a ceiling. It gave a trickle of reality to a boy’s "trunk"
Air Force.
During World War II when Germany
already conquered most Allies countries of Western Europe, England is next on
the loom of the German conquest storm, Isolated by water and no concrete pledge
yet of full support from the United States the English prime minister Winston
Churchill rallied his people to be steadfast on their nations darkest days and
turn it instead into a glorius victory”.
The German armed forces ever since the start of its expedition for world conquest
is notoriously believed to have more and superior warplanes compared to the British
existing military resources, nevertheless with most of England’s institutional,
spiritual, and authoritative infrastructure destroyed by Aryan bombs, The
kingdom needed an alternative symbol of defiance and resolve to fight a counter regime
that is by now feared for its own eccentric brand of ideals on the pursuit of
Empire and Dominion. A warplane with its howling engines, capacity to spit
flaming lead and far reaching visual grasp seem to be the ideal vessel for
morale upliftment for a Citizenry weary of daily carpet bombing and theats of
occupation. At the Air Battle of
Britain, .the Spitfire established itself as the patron plane of British
lone-stand for self defense when it tallied a high kill ratio against
enemy aircraft than any other British Warplanes used in the battle, high enough
that it significantly incapacitated the
once mighty “Luftwaffe” and discouraged the planned German final land invasion of
the British islands indefinitely, this plan was further put into dispriority
when the United states finally and openly declared it full support to Britain
in men and materiel for its defense; and the Allied’s eventual reclaiming of mainland
Europe from Nazi Claws.
Considered the primary British
fighter during the World War II, overshadowing the outdated “Hawker Hurricane”.
Early models Spitfires were considered marginal in performance against the
primary German single seat Fighters but constant upgrade and modification made
it a reputedly excellent airborne weapon by the end of the war by Allies
concern. Spitfires were used in all theaters of the war; in Russia,
North Africa, the Middle East and
the Far East.
"adult supervision is definitely
needed on the first few flight of this type of flying toy as it involves highly
flammable liquid fuel, Engine priming, glowing piston plug, zip stick starters,
and control lines;"
:-)
