{"product_id":"corgi-aa31902-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-vb-raf-no-249-sqn-ep706-t-l-maurice-stephens-takali-malta-1942","title":"Corgi AA31902 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB RAF No.249 Sqn EP706 T-L Maurice Stephens Takali Malta 1942","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA distinctive and highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB EP706, operated by RAF No. 249 Squadron during the defence of Malta.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA31902 depicts the aircraft carrying the individual code “T-L” and associated with Squadron Leader Maurice Stephens at Takali during 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNo. 249 Squadron became one of the principal fighter units involved in the defence of Malta. Its pilots operated under exceptionally demanding conditions, facing repeated attacks by German and Italian aircraft while protecting the strategically important Mediterranean island.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEP706 is reproduced in a distinctive desert and Mediterranean colour scheme, combining sand and brown upper surfaces with blue-grey areas and lighter undersides. RAF roundels, the T-L identification code and a bright red propeller spinner complete its operational appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Supermarine Spitfire Mk V was introduced as an improved development of the earlier Battle of Britain variants. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine, it offered improved performance and became one of the most widely produced Spitfire versions of the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpitfire Mk Vs served across Britain, Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Their combination of speed, manoeuvrability and cannon armament made them invaluable during the intense aerial fighting over Malta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis Corgi release features substantial diecast construction, simulated fabric-textured control surfaces, a detailed cockpit beneath a clear canopy and a rotating three-bladed propeller. Additional features include removable landing gear, wing-mounted radiator detailing and the original Corgi Aviation Archive presentation stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corgi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aviation Archive Collector Series\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e AA31902\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial:\u003c\/strong\u003e EP706\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e T-L\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Squadron Leader Maurice Stephens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Air Force No. 249 Squadron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign \/ Event:\u003c\/strong\u003e Defence of Malta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre \/ Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takali, Malta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1942\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator \/ Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Air Force \/ United Kingdom\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Authentic EP706 and T-L markings, Mediterranean camouflage, red propeller spinner, simulated fabric-textured control surfaces, detailed cockpit with clear canopy, rotating three-bladed propeller, removable landing gear and original presentation display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5\" or 12.7 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.25\" or 15.9 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Mint (10\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel is in mint condition overall and appears as new.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel comes complete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Very Good (7\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox is in very good condition overall, with some age-related wear present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Corgi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57745086382462,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_5043_ab9deac6-d16e-4b90-adcf-acbb3e1bcd9e.jpg?v=1785164911","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/corgi-aa31902-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-vb-raf-no-249-sqn-ep706-t-l-maurice-stephens-takali-malta-1942","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}