The Spitfire is the most famous British aircraft of all time. Although less numerous than the Hawker Hurricane, it is remembered as the sleek, thoroughbred fighting machine that turned the tide during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire was among the fastest and most maneuverable prop-driven fighters of World War II, serving in virtually every combat theater.

Supermarine designer Reginald Mitchell created this small, graceful, elliptical-wing fighter with eight guns in the wings that were able to fire without being hindered by the propeller. The immortal Spitfire thus became not merely one of the best-performing fighters of all time, but also one of the best-looking. Although never employed as a long-range escort, the Spitfire was a champion in an air-to-air duel. Spitfires routinely dived at the speed of sound, faster than any of the German jets.

A carrier-based version, called the Seafire, was a winner in its own right, serving valiantly on convoy routes during World War II. The Seafire 47 was even used in the early stages of the Korean War, before it was replaced by more modern jet aircraft.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXc fighter that was piloted by Lieutenant Robert Connor, and nicknamed "Porky II", who was attached to the 309th Fighter Squadron "Wild Ducks", then deployed to the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations during 1943. Pre-order! Ship Date: Summer 2026.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-inches
Length: 4-1/2-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "That's All Folks" - When the 309th Fighter Squadron of the USAAF 12th Air Force moved to support Allied operations in North Africa, and subsequently on to Sicily and Italy, they took their Spitfire Mk.V fighters with them. However, they received upgraded Mk.IX variants of the Spitfire from April 1943 onwards.

These more powerful aircraft were used to provide fighter cover for Allied bombers across the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations, and even to protect earlier variants of the Spitfire which were still operational.

This beautifully presented Spitfire was the mount of Lt. Robert Connor, who playfully embraced the less-than-flattering nickname squadron mates gave him, by having distinctive artwork painted on the starboard side of his Spitfire.

It featured the cartoon character Porky Pig and his Loony Tunes catchphrase "That's All Folks" in what resembled a slice of white bread. The aircraft carried the name 'Porky II' as the pilot was thought to have named an earlier Spitfire Mk.V 'Porky', and he had to distinguish between the two.

The 309th exchanged their Spitfire Mk.IX fighters for North American P-51B Mustangs in March 1944, but not before writing a particularly interesting chapter in the annals of USAAF chronicles.

An aircraft wearing these markings is currently one of the star attractions on the UK airshow circuit, operating as "The Suffolk Spitfire". Resplendent in its unusual USAAF markings, it is one of the most distinctive restored Spitfires flying today.