{"product_id":"hobby-master-ha8305-1-48-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ix-raf-no-312-czech-sqn-otto-smik-1944","title":"Hobby Master HA8305 1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX RAF No.312 Czech Sqn Otto Smik 1944","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn exceptional 1:48 scale diecast replica honoring a heroic Czechoslovakian ace and a legendary WWII fighter platform.\u003c\/strong\u003e This model by Hobby Master (HA8305) replicates the Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX serving with the RAF No.312 (Czech) Squadron in 1944. No.312 Squadron was formed in August 1940, comprised entirely of Czechoslovaks who had successfully escaped Nazi-occupied Europe. Among its most celebrated pilots was Otto Smik, who achieved Ace status by the young age of 21. During the Normandy invasion, Smik shot down three Fw-190s before being shot down himself; with the vital assistance of the Dutch Resistance, he successfully managed to evade capture and return to his unit. Tragically, on November 28, 1944, at the age of 22, Otto Smik was killed by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), concluding his wartime service with a final score of 12 victories plus 3 V1 flying bombs. Designed by R.J. Mitchell to meet a British Air Ministry specification, the Spitfire first flew on March 5, 1936, combining beautiful fighter aesthetics with a high-performance Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplant, twin cannons, and four machine guns to become an unrivaled symbol of victory operationally engaged on every single front of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of Hobby Master's Air Power Series, this 1:48 scale warbird model is cleverly engineered to offer collectors a premium selection of authentic, top-quality features. The cockpit canopy is fully configurable, designed to either slide open or lift away entirely to provide an unobstructed view of the pad-printed interior gauges and a correctly rendered control stick featuring a classic loop stick grip. Additional high-end technical components include a free-spinning all-metal propeller assembly alongside a separately applied engine exhaust stack layout. The near-solid metal wing structure features functional, hinged metal main landing gear units complete with integrated metal gear doors. For maximum visual fluidity, the wing root fairing is integrated smoothly directly into the wing's casting, creating a flawless structural transition between the primary fuselage lines and the near-razor thin trailing wing edges.\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 Hobby Master\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Air Power Series\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e HA8305\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Code:\u003c\/strong\u003e DU-N\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Otto Smik (Ace \/ 12 Victories + 3 V1s)\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e RAF No.312 (Czech) Squadron (No.312 Sqn)\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1944 (World War II Era)\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Diecast Metal\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Authentic 312 Squadron Otto Smik livery, sliding\/removable canopy, pad-printed cockpit instruments, loop-grip control stick, free-spinning metal propeller, separately applied exhaust stacks, hinged metal main gear with integrated doors, casted wing root fairings, near-razor thin trailing edges\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 7.75\" or 19.7 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.25\" or 23.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Very Good (7\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel is in very good condition overall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePropeller assembly is slightly loose and wobbly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaint loss is present to the leading edges and rear edges of the wings, caused by rubbing from the blister tray.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTail vertical stabiliser has glue residue inside and appears to be a possible repair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTail vertical stabiliser does not swivel.\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 wear present to the edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox remains structurally sound.\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":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57640736522622,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_3221.jpg?v=1783119374","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/hobby-master-ha8305-1-48-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ix-raf-no-312-czech-sqn-otto-smik-1944","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}