Spitfire MK.1No. 19 Squadron, Flt. Sub Lt. Blake. September 1940 HA7812 1:48

Hobby Master Diecast scale models 1/48 Air Power Series Spitfire MK.1No. 19 Squadron,Sqn. Ldr. Flt. Sub Lt. Blake. September 1940 Item: HA7812 (Squadron set with HA7810 and HA7811) 1:48 Scale The Spitfire Mk.1 first became operational in July 1938 at Duxford, Cambridge. At the beginning of WWII 9 RAF squadrons were equipped with the Mk.1’s with two others converting to the new aircraft. By June 1940 the Mk.1 was being replaced by the faster long-range Mk.II but not before the Mk.I had bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain. The Mk.I also flew protective cover over the evacuation of Dunkirk. The Mk.1A had 8 machine guns instead 4, a bulged canopy, a 3-blade propeller, self-sealing fuel tanks, armored windscreen and armor plating in front of and behind the pilot. Arthur Giles Blake attended the Royal Naval College and received his FAA wings in January 1940. On June 15, 1940 he was one of the FAA pilots assigned to the RAF at 7 OUT. On July 1, 1940 he was assigned to No. 19 Squadron and because of his naval background was nicknamed “Admiral”. During September 1940 Sub Lieutenant Blake downed an He-111, shared another, destroyed 3 Me-109s, damaged an Me-110 and a Do-17 before being shot down himself and killed on October 29, 1940.