{"product_id":"1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mkixe-ml407-sq-ldr-john-johnnie-houlton","title":"1\/72 Supermarine Spitfire MkIXe ML407 Sq Ldr John Johnnie Houlton","description":"\u003cp\u003eConstructed 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Length - Without Packaging (cm): 12.6\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Height - Without Packaging (cm): 6\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Width - Without Packaging (cm): 14\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItem Scale: 1:72 Scale\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLicense line: BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish: Painted\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour: Multi\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWingspan (mm): 140\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed Crew Figures: Yes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine Rigging Detail: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFixed Undercarriage: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFolding Wings: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFuel Tanks: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMovable Sweeping Wings: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving Parts: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving Rear\/Ventral Gun(s): No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen\/Closed Airbrake: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpening Bomb Bay Doors: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpening Canopy: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpening Radio Hatch: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptional Undercarriage Down: Yes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemoveable Engine Covers: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRotatable Propeller(s)\/Rotor(s): Yes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRotatable Turret(s): No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSliding Door: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStationary Drooping Rotor Blades: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisible Gun Bay: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWood Grain Effect Propeller: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving Cannon: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving Wheels\/Tracks: No\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpening Hatch: No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Corgi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43080126300316,"sku":"AA29103","price":124.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/9095\/3628\/files\/AA29103-1.jpg?v=1717667057","url":"https:\/\/www.hobbyco.com.au\/products\/1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mkixe-ml407-sq-ldr-john-johnnie-houlton","provider":"Hobbyco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}