Airfix Kits

The Bf 109E was one of the first true fighters of the modern era and was the Luftwaffe's main bomber escort during the Battle of Britain. After some spectacular successes at the beginning of the war it found its main challengers to be the RAF's Hurricane and Spitfire.

The Spitfire gained immortality during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. The main role was to intercept and destroy the Luftwaffe's fighters whilst the Hurricanes of the RAF attacked the incoming bombers.

The dual control BAE Hawk T. Mk.1 is the RAF's advanced trainer and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979. The aircraft is essentially the same as those flown by RAF Advanced Training Students with the exception of the smoke generators and a slightly uprated engine giving a faster response time to changes of power setting.

The Mustang came into its own when it was fitted with the Merlin engine. Its long range enabled it to escort bomber formations deep into enemy territory and the numbers produced and performance provided eventually helped to clear the skies over Western Europe.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), the formal name of the Red Arrows, began life at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire in 1965. Initially there were seven display pilots and ten Gnat jet trainers. The name 'Red Arrows' was chosen to combine the appeal and expertise of two earlier teams, the Black Arrows and the Red Pelicans.

The Boulton Paul Defiant was the only 'turret fighter' to enter service with the RAF. The Defiant used the philosophy that a fighter aircraft, armed with a turret bristling and machine guns would be able to enter a bomber stream causing havoc; the turret would also enable it to defend itself from enemy fighters.

The most serious for the German pilots being the widespread use of the RAF's finest fighter, the Supermarine Spitfre. More manoeuvrable than the 109E, the Spitfire was the finest fighter of its day. This set contains two aircraft flown by aces. Helmut Wick and John Dundas. Neither survived their fateful engagement on 28th November 1940.

The Cromwell, officially named Cruiser Tank MkVIII, was one of the most successful British tanks of the Second World War.  Named after the English Civil War leader, Oliver Cromwell, the tank proved to be an adept and rugged fighting machine and served until the end of the War. 

Thrilling Airshow audiences all over the world, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows aerobatic display team celebrated their 50th display season in 2014. Their distinctive Hawk T.1 jets are some of the most famous aircraft in the world.