Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX – Squadron Leader Edward Francis John "Jack" Charles, 611 Squadron, RAF Biggin Hill, England (Biggin Hill's 1000th Victory)

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5”,  Wingspan: 6.2”


Limited Edition of 1501 Models Worldwide

In May of 1943, the Biggin Hill Fighter Wing was close to their landmark 1000th victory, and an eager media descended on the Kent station in order to record the event. By this time, however, the Luftwaffe was reluctant to lose pilots unnecessarily and engagements were becoming quite rare, so the 1000th kill proved elusive. On May 15th, the squadron leader, 'Jack' Charles, of 611 Squadron led a fighter sweep over Caen, France and on this day the Luftwaffe did come up and fight. Charles was credited with two Fw 190's, and thus claimed the 1000th victory. In a famous photograph from that day, Charles is seen marking the 1000 score on the propeller blade of his Spitfire Mk.IX, surrounded by his fellow pilots!

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries during World War II and into the 1950s as a front line fighter and in secondary roles. The Spitfire was first flown on March 5, 1936 and entered service with the RAF on August 4 1938. It served in several roles, including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter bomber, carrier-based fighter, and trainer. The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations. It was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft and was the only British fighter in continuous production throughout the war. When production ended in February 1948, a total of 20,351 Spitfires of all variants had been built.

In June of 1942 the Spitfire Mk.IX replaced the Mk.V and on September 12, 1942 an Mk.IX shot down a Junkers Ju-86R flying at 43,000 feet. Another major achievement of the Mk.IX took place on October 5, 1944 when 401 Squadron became the first allied aircraft to shoot down a Me 262 jet. Even with the arrival of the Griffon powered Mk.XIV, the Mk.IX continued in service until the end of World War II. There were 5,665 Mk.IX Spitfires and its sub-variants produced.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Spitfire Mk.IX features: