This 1:72 diecast model of Supermarine Spitfire K9789 pays tribute to the very first Spitfire assigned to an RAF squadron. No. 19 Squadron was the first to replace its outdated Gauntlet biplanes with the revolutionary new Spitfire, marking a major leap forward in aviation technology. K9789 was delivered in August 1938 and first flown by Squadron Leader Henry Cozens on the 11th of that month - at a time when there were no training units, manuals, or formal conversion processes.
Used intensively for trials, the aircraft logged over 400 hours in short order, with squadron pilots testing various configurations. Their feedback led to major operational improvements, including the adoption of constant-speed propellers and the bulged canopy that would become standard on later models. Though K9789 survived the war, it was ultimately scrapped in 1945.
This model comes prebuilt and includes display accessories and a stand, making it a must-have for collectors interested in early RAF history and the development of the Spitfire.
