{"product_id":"1-48-spitfire-mk-ixc-ml214-sqn-ldr-johnny-plagis-126-squadron-raf-harrowbeer-devon-oct-1944","title":"1\/48 Spitfire Mk.Ixc ML214 Sqn. Ldr. Johnny Plagis 126 Squadron RAF Harrowbeer Devon Oct 1944","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Mk. IX replaced the Mk. V in June 1942 and on September 12, 1942 a Mk. IX brought down a\u003cbr\u003eJu-86R flying at 43,000 feet. Another major achievement of the Mk. IX took place on October 5,\u003cbr\u003e1944 when 401 Squadron became the first allied aircraft to shoot down an Me-262 jet. Even with\u003cbr\u003ethe arrival of the Griffon powered Mk. XIV the Mk. IX continued in service until the end of WWII.\u003cbr\u003eThere were 5,665 Mk. IX Spitfires and its variants produced.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpitfire LF-IX MJ789 FU-B was assembled at Castle Bromwich and given a Merlin 66 engine. The\u003cbr\u003eaircraft was assigned to the RAF and 403 Squadron RCAF on December 20, 1943 before being\u003cbr\u003etransferred to the RAAF 453 Squadron on January 31, 1944. On June 11, 1944 MJ789 was\u003cbr\u003epiloted by 27 year old RAAF Flight Lieutenant Henry Lacy Smith on a mission over Normandy\u003cbr\u003ewhen the aircraft was hit by flak and crashed in a canal near Ouistreham, Normandy killing the\u003cbr\u003epilot who is buried in the Ranville War Cemetery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41269682602140,"sku":"HA8320","price":139.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/9095\/3628\/products\/HA8320.jpg?v=1735843486","url":"https:\/\/www.hobbyco.com.au\/products\/1-48-spitfire-mk-ixc-ml214-sqn-ldr-johnny-plagis-126-squadron-raf-harrowbeer-devon-oct-1944","provider":"Hobbyco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}