Hobby Master 1/48 Spitfire Vb: 303Sqn RAF

Jan Eugeniusz Ludwig Zumbach was a Polish-Swiss fighter pilot who became an ace and squadron commander during the Second World War. During the Battle of Britain, Zumbach scored eight victories and one probable, mostly against Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters. Zumbach was shot down by a JG 3 Bf 109 over Dover on 9 May 1941 when returning from a mission, but he was again able to bail out unharmed. Zumbach became one of the first Allied pilots to engage in combat with a German Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which he damaged; in return, his aircraft was damaged by a "single radial-engined fighter" on 13 October 1941. In December 1941, Zumbach was posted to 58 OTU, and in March 1942 returned to 303 Squadron as a flight commander. In May, he was promoted to squadron leader and took command of the squadron, a post Zumbach held from 19 May 1942 until 30 November 1943.

Designed by R.J.Michell to meet a British Air Ministry specification, the Supermarine Spitfire first flown on March 5th, 1936. With its combination of beautiful fighter design, the excellent performance of its Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplant and firepower provided by twin cannons and four machine guns, the Spitfire became an unrivaled symbol of victory. The Spitfire had 40 major variants and was built in greater numbers than any other British aircraft of the time. It flew operationally on every front between 1939 and 1945 and was engaged in every one of the Royal Air Force's major actions.

Hobby Master's 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk I is cleverly designed to provide the collector with a reasonably-priced, top quality product with just the right number of features. This beautiful model features a canopy that slides open or is removable, providing a clear view of the pad-printed gauges and correctly-rendered control stick with loop stick grip. The all-metal propeller spins freely and the engine exhaust stack has been separately applied. The near-solid metal wing has hinged metal landing gear with integrated metal gear doors, and the wing root fairing is integrated in the wing's casting, which creates a flawless transition between the fuselage and the near-razor thin trailing edge.

Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.