Airfix Supermarine Spitfire F MK XVIII 1:48 WWII Military Aviation Plastic Model Kit A05140

Arguably one of the most recognizable aircrafts of WWII, the Spitfire was one of England's most successful defenders throughout the war. Rolling off the assembly line in 1938, the Spitfire began its career and would see several variants to improve it to be one of the most capable war machines. The Mk XII was the first Rolls Royce Griffon-engined variant which flew on August 1942, and first flew operationally with 41 Squadron in April 1943. Screaming to 400 mph (640 km/h) in level flight and in nine minutes could climb to an altitude of 33,000 feet. Although the Spitfire continued to improve in speed and armament, the MK XVIII variant was build in 1946, so was not active during World War II, but was able to serve in Operation Firedog in the Malayan Emergency. The MK XVIII was fitted to carry extra fuel and to accomadate, had a stronger wing, but did not see combat as it had in previous conflicts. The Malaya National Liberation Party formed by the Malayan Communist Party were fighting against the British Empire and Commonwealth for independence for Malaya. Many guerillas hid in the thick jungles for Malaya and aerial bombardments were used but lack of location made them inaccurate over the course of the 12 year conflict that was eventually squashed out when the communist leader of the movement, Chin Peng, fled to China.