Oxford Aviation 1:72 RCAF Spitfire IXE 443 Sqd RCAF
AD2426
Description
Oxford Aviation 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire LF MK lXe 21-T 443 Sqn 127 Wing RCAF Belgium 1945
Oxford's Spitfire Mk IXE is as deployed by 127 Wing of 443 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force in Belgium, 1945. Up until 1942, the squadron was flying in a defence role over Newfoundland and Nova Scotia until World War II world demand saw it serving overseas, including Britain. After operational training in southern England, 443 Squadron took part in the Normandy offensive in 1944, then on to Arnhem and Nijmegen before wintering in Belgium in late 1944 and early 1945.
From its base in northern Belgium, the squadron was supporting Mitchell attacks against the failing 3rd Reich with sorties continuing until early May, attacking factories, railways, trains and the retreating German forces from the Battle of the Bulge. In March 1945, 443 Squadron moved to the Belgian/Dutch border closer to the front in preparation for the final offensive. Then in early May as the Allied ground forces worked their way further into Germany, the fighter squadrons were following close behind.
The Spitfire LF Mk IXE comprised one of the upgrades demanded by the Air Ministry to combat the hitherto superior German Focke-Wulf Fw190 in particular. As well as modifications to the airframe of its predecessors, the IX was also fitted with more powerful Merlin 61 engines. The early IXEs were converted Mk VC airframes but capable of a speed of 368 mph at 38,000 feet. However, the second half of 1943 saw production of a Merlin 66 powered LF Mk IXE, which became operational in March 1943. The Mk IXE was manufactured at the Castle Bromwich Supermarine works, where over 5600 were made. The later E type wings were structurally identical to the C wing but had their elliptically pointed wing tips replaced by shorter, squared off fairings which improved maximum speed at low altitude in particular.
This Oxford replica of the LF Spitfire Mk IXE features these later clipped wings with the upper body decorated in the dark grey/dark green camouflage scheme with pale grey underside. Note the black and white invasion bands on the underside of the wings and fuselage which were added from the time of the Normandy campaign onwards to avoid ‘friendly fire’. Also to note is the absence of outer machine gun ports although the new clipped wing allowed for a four cannon armament which was standard on all IXE aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force roundels feature on the upper and lower wings of our model with matching red, white and blue vertical stripes on the tail fins. The Squadron’s nickname was ‘The Hornets’ and the yellow and black insect representing the Squadron insignia is printed on the port side forward of the cockpit. The fuselage features the Squadron’s 21T Squadron insignia, alongside its other identity lettering. Final details see a yellow painted strip along the leading edge of the wings; the tyres on this model are finished in matt black but with silver hubs.
Delivery
Delivery is charged as priced on each order. Once you have placed an order it will be dispatched the same day or the next day depending on the time the order was placed. If you wish to cancel your order after it has been dispatched, you will be charged for both delivery and collection cost.
If you are unavailable when our delivery partner tries to deliver your order, they will usually try to deliver again the next working day or they will drop a card in to offer you a collection from a local collection point. If you should refuse delivery of goods, or are not available to accept the delivery on both delivery attempts, you will be required to cover any extra costs incurred. Royal Mail staff sometimes leave parcels with a neighbour or in an outbuilding or at the rear of the property. If a parcel is too large to go through the letter box they may return it to the local sorting office and may not leave a card advising you. First Class may take up to 4 days, Second class may take up to 10 days delivery time. Please check there first before reporting non delivery.
All quoted delivery prices are for most UK Mainland addresses. Northern Ireland (BT), Isle of Wight (PO30-37), Isle of Man (IM), Scottish Highlands and Orkney Isles (PA, ML, EH, KA, G, KY, PH, DD, AB, IV, KW), Outer Hebrides and the Shetland Isles (HS, ZE), Channel Islands (JE and GY) will incur additional charges and may also experience delivery delays; morning, Saturday and "next working day" deliveries are optional and will also incur additional charges.
We will only deliver goods to the address on the order.
Due to postal restrictions we are unable to send liquids and aerosol products by Royal Mail . Some Couriers also refuse to take such products.
Returns
In accordance with your statutory rights as a consumer, claims for refunds, replacements or repairs will be offered, provided proof of purchase is produced, as applicable if goods are found to:
- Not be of satisfactory quality
- Not be fit for the purpose for which they were sold
- Not correspond with their description
- Not correspond with a sample on display , and/or
- Be sold without good title
The cost of returning goods under the rights above will be borne by us if any of these situations is found to apply. No refunds can be made until the goods have been returned and assessed.
Goods returned to us as faulty which are found not to be faulty will incur a handling charge and return postage costs.
In addition, under the Distance Selling Regulations 2000, when you buy goods over the internet (or other distance medium) you have the right to cancel your contract at any time up to 7 working days after the receipt. You must notify us of your intention to cancel the contract under these provisions, within the cancellation period and preferably in writing. You must take reasonable care of the goods whilst in your possession, and they must be returned promptly and as far as is practicable in their original condition and packaging. You are entitled to remove the goods from their packaging for reasonable examination but you may be liable for any loss of value resulting from any damage or alteration to the goods or packaging caused whilst in your possession.
Goods supplied in kit form must be returned with all component bags unopened. If the kit has been started or any of the component bags have been opened we are unable to make a refund as we can not check that all parts are present.
The cost of returning goods under these provisions is to be borne by you and we strongly advise you to return goods valued at under £39.00 (The Post Office's standard compensation) by Recorded Delivery and retain the proof of posting. For higher value items we advise that you insure the goods for their full value during return transit.
Please note that certain goods are exempt from the cancellation rights detailed above, such as goods made specifically to order and perishable goods. Items such as magazines, catalogues and CD/DVDs are also excluded.
We ask that you examine all goods delivered as soon as reasonably practicable after delivery and notify us of any problem with the goods as soon as possible.
We will have a claim against our Couriers for any items they damage in transit to you and therefore we request that you keep all packaging with the goods in order to ensure such a claim is not invalidated. The Courier will require a signature on delivery, and the package should be examined for signs of external damage at that point and the Courier advised on the delivery sheet. Items despatched by Courier should arrive within 4 days. All claims for non delivery of Courier despatched parcels must be notified promptly so the Courier can investigate. You will normally be sent a tracking number for courier delivered items.
Goods sent by First Class Royal mail can take up to 5 days to arrive. Goods sent by Second class mail can take up to 10 days to arrive. Goods sent overseas including Northern Ireland may take longer. Postmen sometimes leave parcels with a neighbour, or in an outbuilding or at the rear of the property or even in a dustbin.. Parcels too large to go through the letter box may be returned to the local sorting office (and the Postman does not always leave a card) Please check with your local sorting office first before contacting us about a non delivery.
The above statements are not intended to be a full indication of all your rights as a consumer. Details of your rights when buying goods over the internet, and otherwise, are available from your local Trading Standards Dept and/or Consumer Direct.