{"product_id":"corgi-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ixc-mh487-sqn-ldr-donald-smith","title":"CORGI 1\/72 SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK.IXC - MH487 - SQN LDR DONALD SMITH","description":"\u003ch3\u003eCorgi Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc – MH487 – Sqn Ldr Donald Smith Diecast Model Aircraft\u003c\/h3\u003e \r\r\u003cp\u003eThe Corgi Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc recreates MH487, flown by Sqn Ldr Donald Smith of No.453 (RAAF) Squadron during the D-Day campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e \r\r\u003cp\u003eLearning to fly in his native Australia, Donald Hamilton Smith was posted to an operational RAF squadron after completing his RAF service conversion in late 1941, and later flew in defence of Malta, where he was awarded the Soviet Medal for Valour for his tenacity in combat. Becoming acting CO of No.453 Squadron on 2nd May 1944, Smith led the unit on offensive sweeps into northern France ahead of D-Day, mainly against enemy radar installations, and flew the first of four sorties over the beachheads on D-Day itself. On 16th June, twelve of the squadron's Spitfires engaged a similar number of Bf 109 fighters, with Smith personally credited with two kills. As Allied forces pushed inland, No.453 Squadron moved operations to Advanced Landing Ground B.11 at Longues-sur-Mer, close to the German Atlantic Wall battery between the Omaha and Gold landing beaches.\u003c\/p\u003e \r\r\u003ch3\u003eSpecial Features\u003c\/h3\u003e \r\u003cul\u003e \r\u003cli\u003eRecreates MH487, flown by Sqn Ldr Donald Smith of No.453 (RAAF) Squadron\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003cli\u003eMarks Smith's D-Day sorties and his two aerial victories on 16th June 1944\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003cli\u003eDie-cast model with display base and cradle\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003c\/ul\u003e \r\r\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e \r\u003cul\u003e \r\u003cli\u003e1 x Die-cast model\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003cli\u003e1 x Cradle\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003cli\u003e1 x Display base\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003cli\u003e1 x Limited Edition certificate\u003c\/li\u003e \r\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"CORGI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45676145606679,"sku":"AA29105","price":129.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/6637\/4935\/files\/AA29105.jpg?v=1791246147","url":"https:\/\/www.hobbyvault.com.au\/products\/corgi-1-72-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ixc-mh487-sqn-ldr-donald-smith","provider":"Hobby Vault Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}