Welcome to Mark-1-Spitfire
Spitfire, most probably the greatest machine ever made by man, and certainly one that evokes passions all over the world.
I have been a huge enthusiast of this machine, ever since I can remember. I used to make all the models of Spitfires I could find, and proudly hang them from my bedroom ceiling.
Now, a "few" years later I will soon be proudly presenting some models of this most famous of fighter planes of my own, along with other manufacturers' models.
Firstly, we will have soon our own 1/18th scale Mk9 Spitfire, with outstanding detail. Later, a museum quality 1/12th scale (36" wingspan!!) version, a model that will have no equal "off the shelf".
Both these models can be supplied in full kit form, or fully finished and painted. Either as wheels down, or up to suspend from your ceiling. A stand will also be available. Please check our online shopping site for our range of models, types, scales and accessories, along with some superb prints.

A little bit of history about the Spitfire
Designed by the genius of RJ Mitchell, the first Spitfire, K5054 first flew at Eastleigh (Southampton) in March 1936, a legend was born. Immediately, it was "right". Its grace and beauty were unmatched, and I would say, still aren't today, some 70 + years later. It was also a devastatingly effective fighter, being a joy to fly, very forgiving, but a real thoroughbred. In the turn, it had no equals, as many an enemy fighter plane found to their detriment I have been fortunate enough to have been in a Spitfire, and indeed very close up, but, more of that later!

A brief assessment of the various spitfire marks, from K5054 to the last, Mk24 K5054
The first ever Spitfire, and only prototype. Originally unpainted, with a 2 bladed propeller and no exhaust stubs. Flat canopy and tail skid. 990bhp Merlin 24lt V12, weight 5359 lbs. No armament at first, then fitted with 8 .303 browning machine guns.

Mk1
The first were very similar to the prototype, painted in camouflage, fitted with a tail wheel and rear facing Exhaust stubs with improved airspeed by just over 10mph. Top speed 355mph. Weight up to 5720lbs, later versions with the "bubble" canopy to improve vision and help taller pilots, and the fitting of a 2 pitch 3 bladed propeller which helped its climbing performance. The Mk1a was fitted with 8 x .303 machine guns, the Mk1b, with 2 x 20mm cannon, which at first had a bad tendency to jam and were recalled until the were perfected in the Mk5 Spitfire.

Mk2
Very similar to the Mk1 but with armour plating behind the pilot (useful!) and a 1050 BHP Merlin fitted. What with the extra weight, and extra power, performance was almost identical to the Mk1. Again, 8 x .303 Machine guns were fitted in the A variant, and in the B, 2 x 20 mm cannons, with the same trouble as the Mk1.

The Mk1 and Mk2 were the only spitfires used in the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Mk3
A number of changes were introduced. It was powered by the 1265 HP Merlin with a 2-speed supercharger, a constant-speed airscrew, and introduced a number of refinements, including a smoothed windscreen, retractable tailwheel, and clipped wings. Maximum all-up weight had increased to 6350 lb. Only 2 were produced, although many of the new features were introduced into the developing models.

Mk4
The Mark 4 introduces the mighty 37lt Griffon-engine. This plane was used purely as a test platform, for what would turn out the be the fastest Spitfires ever made.

Mk5
The Mk5 was powered by a 1425 HP Merlin with a maximum weight of 6170 lb. 3 versions with differing armaments were the A- with eight 0.303 Browning machine guns, B- with two 20mm cannon, and four Browning machine guns and the C- with either four cannon or either of the other combinations. By now the difficulties with the cannons jamming, had been solved with devastating effects. Some Mk5s were adapted for high altitude (extended, pointed tips) or low altitude (clipped wingtips, for faster roll rate), and the supercharger settings adapted for the selected altitude. Those airframes intended for desert conditions acquired a deep "chin" in the form of an air filter to keep out the desert sand. A very good version, with the excellent handling characteristics of the Mk1 and Mk2, with increased speed, now 375mph

Mk6
Introduced to combat the threat of high flying German bombers. It was fitted with a 4-bladed propeller, and extended (high altitude) wingtips. Some were fitted with injection of liquid oxygen into the air intake. The most notable change was the addition of a partially pressurised cabin, with a canopy that was fixed in place on the ground ! except for emergency jettisoning. Now all spitfires were fitted with a combination of cannons, .303 Machine Guns or 0.5 Machine Guns.

Mk7
Now fitted with up to 1700bhp Merlin engines, with 2-speed 2-stage superchargers. The Mk7 introduced the symmetrical large radiators under each wing, rather than the asymmetric radiator/oil cooler combinations of earlier Marks, and a larger "pointed" rudder.

Mk8
This was essentially a low altitude, un-pressurised Mk7. Changes to the carburettor allowed negative "g" manoeuvring. Although the Mk8 was intended as the major developmental line for the Spitfire, the Mk9 was hurried into service, as it was easier to convert existing spitfires (mostly MK5s) than the brand new Mk8. All fitted with the "pointed" rudder, and 4 bladed propeller, almost all served overseas. Rated by some as the "Best" spitfire made. With its increased speed (415mph) and almost as sweet, handling as the early spitfires. Armaments the same variations as the Mk5. A VERY effective fighter.

Mk9
My personal favourite, the Mk 9 started as a hurried conversion on Mk5 and other earlier spitfires. This was done to quell the Excellent FW190, which had the edge on the earlier Mk5 Spitfires. By fitting the twin stage blower Merlin of up to 1700bhp. As with the Mk7and 8 this increased the length of the "nose" by over 12" The most successful variant, along with having the greatest numbers built. The Mk9 was similar in appearance to the Mk8, most fitted with the round "standard" spitfire rear rudder. The late great Johnnie E Johnson's personal favourite spitfire. Some had clipped wings, to improve the rate of roll and improve low altitude performance, others with the "pointed" rudder, even 2 x 500lb bombs were fitted under each wing. Apparently some were specially modified in 1944 to carry 2 x barrels of beer under each wing! Superb!

Mk10
A photo reconnaissance version of the Mk9. No guns, and a pressurised cabin. Enlarged oil tank, hence the more bulbous front panel under the engine, behind the 4 bladed propeller.

Mk11
The same as the Mk10, but without the pressurised cabin. The most common "PR" spitfire made.

Mk12
Enter the Griffon engine spitfires. Using the tests done on the Mk4, using converted Mk5 airframes with a 4 bladed propeller, an even longer "nose" and with the distinctive Griffon Engine rocket cover cowlings either side on the top of the nose of the spitfire. Having as single stage blower, the Mk12 was specifically utilised for low level, with clipped wings. At these heights, it was supreme. A larger rudder now also became standard to help compensate for the huge torque from the Griffon to help directional stability.

Mk13
A PR version of the Mk12, but with 3 x .303 machine guns.

Mk14
Based on the Mk8 frame, but fitted with a two spare supercharges Griffon, this version of spitfire now had around 2000bhp. Top speed 440 mph, a beast! All now fitted with a 5 bladed propeller. This plane used to by able to catch and overtake the V1 flying bombs, and had an incredible rate of climb. Due to the torque from the Griffon, it needed regular trimming, so whilst not so easy to fly as the Merlin spitfires, in the hands of a skilled pilot, it had no piers in Ariel combat. Only when the jet engined ME262 appeared in 1944 was it outpaced, but there are many reports of Mk14 Spitfires shooting down the ME 262.Some fitted with 4 cannons, they packed a big punch. Later versions had the cut down fuselage, and bubble canopy, and some were fitted with clipped wings

Mk15
No Spitfires made, designation used for Seafires.

Mk16
The same as the Mk9, but using the built under license Packard Merlin Engine. These is an amusing story about a pilot complaining that his Mk16 was slower than his Mk9, saying so to a Rolls Royce technician. The RR man apparently inferring that the pilots Mk9 was polished, his reply not being printable! It appears that when RR gave the Merlin blueprints to the USA, that some very minor details were omitted, true or not, still a superb Spitfire.

Mk17
No Spitfires made, designation used for Seafires.

Mk18
Similar to the Mk14, but with a cut down fuselage, and bubble canopy. The wings were strengthened, and had additional fuel tanks mounted in the rear fuselage. This Spitfire was built after WW2. the weight was now almost double of a Mk1, but with 2350bhp!

Mk19
A PR version of the Mk14, with a pressurised cabin. This Spitfire was still in service until 1954, and indeed a PR19 flew the last operational mission for a spitfire for the RAF. I believe that plane still flies today.

Mk20
The Mk4 was re designated the Mk20, then changed to the Mk12 and the Mk20 designation was dropped!

Mk21
The last spitfire Mk with the classis elliptical wing. Similar to the Mk14, but purpose built as a Mk21. Both wing and fuselage strengthened. The last Spitfire to see service in WW2, appearing in April 1945.

Mk22
Now with the new style E wing, an even larger rudder, bubble canopy, 4 x cannons, strengthened undercarriage, went into service in 1947 until 1951. 450mph.

Mk23
Was due to have a laminar-flow wing, but never built.

Mk24
The same as the Mk22, but with additional fuel tanks in the rear fuselage. It could carry 6 x 60lb rockets, and was in service until 1952.

The Mecurial Mk9
My personal favourite Spitfire, is the Mk 9. Having never flown one, or ever likely to, although I am looking for a ride in a 2 seater, (any help here welcome!!), after extensive research, and written thoughts of the brave men who flew them in combat, it appears the Mk9 was the best all round spitfire.

Using the two stage supercharged Merlin 24lt V12 which developed between 1550 bhp to 1710 bhp it was fast, at 415mph, and extremely effective at high altitude, able to cruise at 40,000ft.

Fitted with either 2 x 20mm cannon and 4 x .303 Machine guns, or 2 x 20mm cannons, and 2 x .50 Machine guns, it packed a big punch. Externally, it was very similar to a Mk1, 2 and 5, the main difference was a longer "nose" to accommodate the extra length of the two stage supercharger, a 4 bladed propeller, 2 x large radiator cowlings under each wing and a bigger front air intake scoop. It had the classic Spitfire shape, and handled almost as well as the superbly aerobatic early Mks, but with greatly increased performance. It was still being manufactured at the wars end, despite the more powerful Griffon Spitfires. Some Mk9s had clipped wings, others with the taller pointed rudder, and a few with bubble canopies.

Johnnie E Johnson, the leading scoring British Fighter ace of WW2 with 38 victories said it was his favourite Spitfire to fly, indeed, all his victories were in spitfires, and in EN398 his first Mk9, he shot down at least 12 enemy fighters, making this spitfire, the most successful in terms of kills. There are quite a few Mk9 Spitfires still flying today, one of which is MH434 code ZDB, which was often flown by the late Ray Hanna and his son Mark. I was fortunate on a hot summer's day to be able to get in, and crawl all over MH434, which as it is still in very original condition, is a perfect example to base our model on. It was an immense thrill to climb into a Spitfire cockpit, especially one as famous as this, with 4.5 Kills to its credit. The cockpit was roomier than I thought, although, I was in a polo shirt and shorts! The joy stick was beautifully smooth, and all the controls easy to hand. A real work of art. Having just completed a weekend's flying display, MH434 was still uncleaned, and gave a real "used" look. The amount of oil underneath ensured a nice sticky, shinny surface! Please enjoy some photos from a great day out.

Cheers
Mark