Kotare K32501 1/32 Spitfire Mk.I PR Type A [Limited Edition]

The legendary Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I is undoubtedly one of the most famous aircraft of all time. This was in no small part due to its performance during the Battle of Britain from July 1940 to October 1940 where, despite being less numerous than the similarly powered and armed Hawker Hurricane Mk.I, it proved to be the aircraft that captured the imagination of the public. Designed from 1934 under the guidance of Supermarine chief designer RJ Mitchell, Joseph Smith and Alfred ''Alf'' Faddy, the prototype Spitfire first flew on 5 March 1936 with production aircraft began entering RAF service in May 1938.
Early production Spitfire Mk.I completed between May 1938 and September 1939 (K and L serial numbers) were armed with 8 .303'' Browning guns and powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. They initially featured a 2-blade fixed pitch propeller, an unarmoured windscreen and a tall un-tapered aerial post. Numerous improvements were introduced throughout production including a 3-blade dual-pitch DeHavilland propeller, taller canopy hood for improved visibility, armoured windscreen glass, plating over the upper fuel tank and a reflector gun sight.
Mid production Spitfire Mk.I completed between September 1939 and April 1940 (N and P serial numbers) saw the introduction of an improved cockpit door catch, tapered aerial post, a voltage regulator positioned behind the pilot's headrest and, on selected aircraft, a constant speed Rotol propeller and TR1133 VHF radio. Two early aircraft from this production batch were modified in October 1939 to become the first photo reconnaissance Spitfire Mk.I PR Type A (as depicted in this model). These modifications included removal of the armament and radio to save weight, installation of a downward facing camera in each wing, and a newly designed canopy hood with teardrop shaped side blisters for improved visibility.
Late production Spitfire Mk.Ia completed between May 1940 and January 1942 (R, X and AR serial numbers) featured an engine driven hydraulic undercarriage retraction system, a composite ''plastic'' seat, constant speed DeHavilland propeller and saw the incremental introduction of armour plating behind the pilot's seat and headrest (which was retrofitted to earlier aircraft), fire-proof bulkhead and revised radio access door and instrument board and station keeping lights in the fuselage while eliminating the front parachute flare tube.
The 1030hp Spitfire Mk.Ia was gradually supplanted by the improved 1135hp Spitfire Mk.II from late September 1940 onwards with remaining Spitfire Mk.I being relegated to training units from the middle of 1941. The Spitfire continued to be improved and production did not end until 1948, by which time over 22000 had been produced in 2-dozen variants with the most notable being the 1030hp Mk.I, 1470hp Mk.V, 1720hp Mk.IX, 2035hp Mk.XIV, the photo-reconnaissance Mk.XI and the navalised Seafire Mk.III.

** This model kit is supplied in unassembled and unpainted plastic components. Please note that glue, model paints, and other basic modelling tools are required and sold separately.