Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series
HA7850BSpitfire Vb RF-D/EN951, Sqn. Leader Jan Zumbach, 303 Sqn., RAF, summer 1942
General Background
The first Spitfire Mk V was produced in January 1941 and proved to be as good as the Mk III and less complicated. The Mk V was the most produced variant of the Spitfire and the main version throughout 1941 and was a better aircraft than the Bf-109 but that all changed with the introduction of the Fw-190. The Mk V remained the RAF fighter through the summer of 1942 and saw several variants developed using bigger engines, new wing types and more armament. There were 20,351 Mk V aircraft built in all variants.
The Aircraft
The 303 "Kościuszko" Squadron was a Polish-manned Fighter Squadron and part of the RAF. During the Battle of Britain the 303 Squadron recorded more victories than any of the other 66 allied fighter squadrons. The 303 Squadron Leader was Jan Zumbach who scored eight victories during the BoB. EN951 was the last of three different Spitfires Zumbach had flown. The victory markings on his aircraft were German crosses outlined in white for confirmed victories and red for probables. Zumbach ended the war with 13 1/3 victories.
Hobby Master HA7850B, Spitfire Vb RF-D/EN951, Sqn. Leader Jan Zumbach, 1:48
Basic Information :
Role: Interceptor Fighter
Mk.1A Produced: 3,923
Crew: one
Performance:
Engine: 1 X 1,440 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 45/46/50 V-12
Speed: 371 mph (597 km/h) @ 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Climb Rate: 20,000 ft / 7.5 min (6,095 m in 7.5 min)
Service Ceiling:
37,000 ft (11,278 m)Normal Range: 470 miles (756 km)
Weight:
Empty: 5,100 lb (2,313 kg
Maximum: 6,785 lb (3,078 kg)
Dimensions:
Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.11 m)
Height: 11 ft 5 in (3.48 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
Armament:
In wings: 2 x 20-mm cannon
4 x 0.303-in machine-guns
External: Centre-line rack for 500 lb bomb or tank
