Armour Collection 98159 -- Released 2001(Same as - Frankli n Mint Armour Collection B11B306) Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb, Serial W3834 (YO-Q)" Clipped, Cropped and Clapped "R.C.A.F. 401 " Ram " Squadron, Summer 1943 Dimensions: 1/48 scale; pre-finished diecast metalWingspan: 9 1/4 inches - Length: 7 1/2 inchesThe badge of No. 401 (Canadian) Squadron was a rocky mountain sheep's head (a " Ram "). The mountain sheep is known for its great stamina and fighting power and is indigenous to the Rocky Mountain region of Canada.Damaged in an accident on 12 April 1942, W3834 (YO-Q) was sent to Air Service Training Ltd at Eastleigh. There, along with many other second-hand Mk. V airframes, it received a low-altitude Merlin 45M engine and clipped wing tips, becoming an LF Mk. Vb. Because of this rework conversion, the low-altitude Spitfires gained a rather unfavorable nickname among the units using them " Clipped, Cropped and Clapped ". The Spitfire had detachable wing tips which were secured by two mounting points at the end of each main wing assembly. The "clipped" wing; the standard wing tips were replaced by wooden fairings which reduced the span by 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m). The wing tips used spruce formers for most of the internal structure with a light alloy skin attached using brass screws. Following its conversion, in August 1942, W3834 was allottedbriefly to 5th Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group, USAAF at Eglinton, Northern Ireland for convoy patrol duties.
