Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIA - P8088, 'The Borough of Lambeth', RAF No. 118 Squadron, RAF Ibsley, England, May 1941

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5”,  Wingspan: 6.2"


Limited Edition of 1400 Models Worldwide

Manufactured at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory, Spitfire Mk.IIA P8088 had its production costs paid for by the people of Lambeth in South London, England, hence the name on the side of the fuselage. Taken on charge by 39 MU at Colerene, it was then issued to 66 Squadron on March 21, 1941. It quickly became the aircraft of aviation author P/O Alec Lumsden who added the name 'Bette' to the fuselage, as well as the cartoon of Captain A.R.P. Reilly-Ffoull from the British comic strip 'Just Jake'.

Transferred to 152 Squadron at RAF Middle Wallop when 66 Squadron re-equipped with Spitfire Mk.IIbs, the aircraft was then passed around various operational training units before being lost on September 16, 1944 when its pilot seemingly passed out at the controls and it dived into the ground and exploded. The wreckage was excavated in 1978 and parts of it now form a forward fuselage section, still proudly displaying the name 'The Borough of Lambeth'.

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries during World War II and into the 1950s as a front line fighter and in secondary roles. The Spitfire was first flown on March 5, 1936 and entered service with the RAF on August 4 1938. It served in several roles, including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter bomber, carrier-based fighter and trainer. The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations. It was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft and was the only British fighter in continuous production throughout the war. When production ended in February 1948, a total of 20,351 Spitfires of all variants had been built.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Spitfire Mk.IIA by Corgi features: