Azur 1/72 Fairey Battle Mk.1 Poles in UK Kit FR0047

Fairey Battle Mk.1 'Poles in UK' (1:72)

Includes:

- Detailed plastic kit

- Extensive cockpit detail and pilot

- Gunner and rear turret

- Armaments

- Prop and engine exhaust detailed parts

- Optional undercarriage in up or down positions

- Waterslide transfers/decals for 3x different schemes

- Kit requires glue and paints to complete NOT included

- 1:72 Scale

Aircraft information:

The 1933 Air Ministry Specification P37/32 sought a replacement for the biplane Hawker Hart then in service. Fairey's design was selected for production and named Battle. March 10th 1936, saw the prototype's maiden flight. Battles were assembled by Fairey (1,164) and Austin Motors (1,032). The majority of Battles were produced as bombers but also as trainers (T) and as Target Tugs (TT).

Battles were flown by the RAF and the air forces of Australia (367), Belgium (16), Canada (754), Eire, Greece (11), India (2), New Zealand (2), South Africa (179), Rhodesia (25), Turkey (30). Also, members of the Polish Air Force in the UK initially flew the Battle with No's 300, 301, 304 and 305 Squadron (POL) Sqn, RAF.

The RAF received its first Battle in 1937. More than 40 Squadrons flew the type in service. When was was declared, ten squadrons belonging to the AASF took up positions in Champagne. On May 10th, 1940, the bombing raids revealed the Battles extreme vulnerability when 13 of 32 committed to action were shot down. The next day, eight Battles bombing the Germans in Luxembourg were all shot down.

On 15th May, the Battles switched to night bombing . In one week of fighting, the AASF's squadrons averaged  50% losses, and during the brief French campaign 137 Battles were lost.

Additional items are required to complete kit as illustrated