The idea for the base was simple - a Spitfire scrambling during the Battle of Britain.

Spitfire; one name that typifies the British people’s resistance to the might of Nazi Germany. This resistance came to a head in late 1940 when Hitler, Goering and the Luftwaffe began the air assault on England preceding the invasion of England through Operation Sea Lion.

While the German airforce droned overhead day after day the Royal Airforce became the prime target for the German bombers. If the RAF could be destroyed the invasion could take place. Hitler knew it. Churchill knew it. The British people knew it. This was a turning point. This was the Battle of Britain.

For months bases around southern England received a tremendous pounding. By day the German bombers damaged airfields, destroyed hangars, blew up aircraft and killed their crews. Yet each night the runways were repaired, the planes serviced and the crews rested. There was no rest; there was no relaxation, just a war to fight and an enemy to kill. Then, one day the air raid sirens stayed quite. A nervous calm that made all England uneasy settled over the countryside, broken that night by more explosions. This time however the bombs fell not on the airfields but on London. Hitler’s attempt to break the British people’s spirits gave critical relief to the overworked RAF crews, relief that allowed them to regroup and rebuild. Operation Sea Lion was cancelled. The Battle of Britain ended not in a decisive air battle, with hundreds of planes but with a silence from the air raid sirens.

I’ve always liked the Battle of Britain; a story of strength and determination, resistance against all odds. After watching the British movie, ‘The Battle of Britain,’ and a Czechoslovakian movie, ‘Dark Blue World,’ I decided to build a Spitfire, not in a standard, static display but in a dynamic diorama.

I purchased Tamiya’s Spitfire Mk.I fully knowing what to expect – another Tamiya kit. Medium grey plastic, fine engraved lines and excellent fit.

Since assembly was quite simple I won’t get into detail here, except that I found nothing that would prevent even a beginner from making an excellent model.

Decals came from my Aeromaster ‘Battle of Britain’ super pack.

See this story to read about building this diorama.

I like my diorama. It shows movement and it tells the story of a RAF pilot taking off on a scramble. Was it his first, his last? What happened? That’s up to the viewer to decide.