Supermarine Spitfire Mk I P9398 KL-B (Al Deere)

Spitfire Mk I P9398, built at Supermarine's Eastleigh factory near Southampton, made its first flight on March 13, 1940, and joined No 54 Sqn in late May the same year. Allocated to New Zealander Flt Lt Alan. C. Deere (promoted Flying officer in July 1940), P9398 was involved in a glancing head-on collision with a Messerschmitt Bf 109 on July 9, 1940, Deere managing to make a skilful forced-landing near Manston in Kent. A mere 22 days later, on July 31, P9398 was being flown by Sgt Fred Eley when it was shot down by a Bf 109 over Folkestone, marking the end of its short but vital contribution to the Battle of Britain. Deere went on to achieve 17 confirmed aerial victories during the war.

This splendid 1/22^nd-scale model of P9398 shows the Spitfire in its 54 Sqn codes — KL-B — and includes Deere's distinctive personalised "Kiwi" insignia on the forward fuselage. With a span of 49cm and a length of 40cm, this hand-carved model in sustainable kiln-dried South East Asian Mahogany includes a clear canopy, rubber tyres and aerial mast and wire. All markings (finished in satin) are as per standard Battle of Britain Spitfires — Dark Green and Dark Earth camouflage with Sky undersurfaces — with a black propeller spinner. The optional base is inscribed as follows:

Supermarine Spitfire Mk I

P9398/KL-B

54 Sqn RAF

Fg Off Alan C. “Al” Deere

July 1940