Discounted!!! Ace South African pilots used 1/72 Corgi Spitfire MkI Adolf 'Sailor' Malan No. 74 Sqn.

First released in April 2000, this was the first produced 1:72 scale model by Corgi and remarkable for the fact that the aerial was incorrectly reversed on the model. The model was chosen due to it's fame as the first aircraft involved in combat during what later became known as The Battle of Britain.

On the morning of July 10th 1940, a convoy codenamed "Bread" was detected by a reconnaissance Dornier Do17P of 4(F)121 when rounding the North Foreland in Kent. Six Spitfires of No.74 Sqn (Hornchurch) intercepted but were outnumbered by more than 20 Bf 109s of I/JG 51. Despite this, they forced the Dornier to crash land, while only taking damage to two of the Spitfires. K9953/ZP-A was flown by Flight Lt. Adolf "Sailor" Malan of the No.74 Sqn during this action. It went to No.7 OTU after the Battle of Britain before being passed to No.57 OTU where it was wrecked in a collision in 1943.

Please Note: This model has been displayed. The undercarriage has been glued in place in the flying mode and the tail wheel is missing. The lighter shades like the underside, codes and tail insignia shows signs of discolouration.

The Collectors View.

Corgi's first 1/72 diecast model. A Spitfire flown by a South African! First released in 2000 the model does show its age when compared to newer molds. Still the Corgi Brand is a strong one and many collect their models exclusively. Some of the first models had the aerials reversed and some models came with two pitot tubes. This particular model shows signs of use and I would recommend that should be discounted.