Corgi – The Aviation Archive – AA38706 1/72 Scale Supermarine Spitfire PRU XIX 81 Squadron, RAF Tengah, 1981, ‘High Altitude of 51,500FT’ Diecast Model

While on detachment to RAF Tengah in Singapore, this Spitfire flew some of the last and most dangerous photo reconnaissance missions of any Spitfire. Operating from Singapore it flew missions over occupied China, ranging over the nearby Hainan Island, running the gauntlet of Chinese air defenses. It was in this very machine that Ted Powles recorded a record altitude for a Spitfire of 51,550ft while on a survey flight over Hong Kong. However it was at this altitude that the Spitfire entered a dive, which was only recovered at 3,000ft. By which time the Spitfire had reached an air speed nearing 700mph. The PRXIX was the final variant of the Spitfire to perform an operational sortie with the RAF, taking place over Malaya just three years after this, bringing the superlative RAF career of the Spitfire to a close.

Comes complete with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity detailing the significant history of each aircraft.

Features:

Detailed crew figure/s

Optional undercarriage down

Rotatable propellor/s & rotor/s

Product Id: AA38706