Corgi AA33909 Spitfire MkIa – X4036, Pilot Officer Robert Doe, No 234 Sqn, Middle Wallop, August 1940

Robert Doe joined the Royal Air Force in January 1939 and in November he was posted to No. 234 Sqn, a Spitfire squadron, at RAF Leconfield. From the moment he received his first Spitfire Doe insisted on having the identification letter ‘D’ for Doe and indeed 90% of his combat flying was in an aircraft identified with a ‘D’. During the Battle of Britain 234 Sqn were deployed to Middle Wallop where Doe flew initially with ‘B’ flight. On August 17th he took delivery of newly delivered Spitfire X4036 and moved to fly as wingman to the CO of ‘A’ flight, where he remained until he transferred to 238 (Hurricane) Sqn on 27th Sept 1940. By the end of August Doe had already achieved ‘Ace’ status and he ended the Battle of Britain as one of Britain’s top scoring pilots with a total of 14 kills and 2 shared. He was awarded the DFC in October 1940 and received a bar a month later. In 1945 he was awarded the DSO. Bob Doe survived the war and remained with the RAF until 1966 by which time he had achieved the rank of Wing Commander. He then ran a successful garage business. Today ‘the few’ have become fewer but Bob Doe is still with us to serve as a reminder of the heroism shown by all the brave RAF pilots during the dark days of 1940. This superbly detailed model features removable engine covers, sliding canopy, opening door, radio hatch, opening undercarriage, rotating propeller, plus hinged ailerons, elevators and rudder.