{"product_id":"1-72-corgi-aa31902-supermartine-spitfire-mk-vb-ep706-t-l-flown-by-sqn-ldr-maurice-mike-stephens-10th-oct-1942-takali-malta-no-249-sqdn-r-a-f-limited-edition-2002-release","title":"1\/72 Corgi (AA31902) Supermartine Spitfire Mk.VB (EP706 \/ T-L) flown by Sqn\/Ldr. Maurice \"Mike\" Stephens, 10th Oct 1942 Takali, Malta No.249 Sqdn R.A.F. (Limited Edition) 2002 Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e1\/72 Corgi (AA31902) Supermartine Spitfire Mk.VB (EP706 \/ T-L) flown by Sqn\/Ldr. Maurice \"Mike\" Stephens, 10th Oct 1942 Takali, Malta No.249 Sqdn R.A.F. (Limited Edition) 2002 Release  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" class=\"clsLayout\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr valign=\"top\"\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e1\/72 Corgi (AA31902)\u003cbr\u003eSupermarine Spitfire Mk.V (EP706)\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eflown by Sqn\/Ldr Maurice Stephens\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eNo.249 Sqn, R.A.F.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e Takali, Malta, 1942\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"clsLimited\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"clsLimited\"\u003eLimited Edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e1:72 Scale\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eWidth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupermarine Spitfire Mk V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.25\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/powersearch\/?Search=CAT_TYP_PRP_FTR_SPITFIRE\"\u003eSupermarine Spitfire Mk V\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned by R.J.Michell to meet a British Air Ministry specification, the Supermarine Spitfire first flown on March 5th, 1936. With its combination of beautiful fighter design, the excellent performance of its Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplant and firepower provided by twin cannons and four machine guns, the Spitfire became an unrivaled symbol of victory. The Spitfire had 40 major variants and was built in greater numbers than any other British aircraft of the time. It flew operationally on every front between 1939 and 1945 and was engaged in every one of the Royal Air Force's major actions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"clsCopyright\"\u003e© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cheader class=\"mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar no-font-mode-scale\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading mw-first-heading\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-page-title-main\"\u003eMaurice Michael Stephens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"p-lang-btn\" class=\"vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/header\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"bodyContent\" class=\"vector-body ve-init-mw-desktopArticleTarget-targetContainer\" aria-labelledby=\"firstHeading\" data-mw-ve-target-container=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mw-content-text\" class=\"mw-body-content\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\" data-mw-parsoid-version=\"0.24.0.0-alpha15\" data-mw-html-version=\"2.8.0\"\u003e\n\u003csection data-mw-section-id=\"0\" id=\"mwAQ\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"infobox vcard\" id=\"mwCA\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" class=\"infobox-above\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fn\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003eBorn\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e20 October 1919\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"birthplace\"\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ranchi\" title=\"Ranchi\"\u003eRanchi\u003c\/a\u003e, India\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003eDied\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e23 September 2004\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(aged\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e84)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003eAllegiance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003eUnited Kingdom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eBranch\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Royal_Air_Force\" title=\"Royal Air Force\"\u003eRoyal Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eService\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eyears\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e1938–1960\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eRank\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Group_Captain\" title=\"Group Captain\" class=\"mw-redirect\"\u003eGroup Captain\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003eCommands\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/No._229_Squadron_RAF\" title=\"No. 229 Squadron RAF\"\u003eNo. 229 Squadron RAF\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/No._232_Squadron_RAF\" title=\"No. 232 Squadron RAF\"\u003eNo. 232 Squadron RAF\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/No._249_Squadron_RAF\" title=\"No. 249 Squadron RAF\"\u003eNo. 249 Squadron RAF\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eConflicts\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_World_War\" title=\"Second World War\" class=\"mw-redirect\"\u003eSecond World War\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_France\" title=\"Battle of France\"\u003eBattle of France\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Britain\" title=\"Battle of Britain\"\u003eBattle of Britain\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Western_Front_(World_War_II)\" title=\"Western Front (World War II)\"\u003eChannel Front\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Siege_of_Malta_(World_War_II)\" title=\"Siege of Malta (World War II)\"\u003eSiege of Malta\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\" class=\"infobox-label\"\u003eAwards\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"infobox-data\"\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Order\" title=\"Distinguished Service Order\"\u003eDistinguished Service Order\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)\" title=\"Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\"\u003eDistinguished Flying Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u0026amp;\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Medal_bar\" title=\"Medal bar\"\u003eTwo Bars\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwCQ\"\u003e\u003cb id=\"mwCg\"\u003eMaurice Michael Stephens\u003c\/b\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"nobold noexcerpt nowraplinks\" id=\"mwCw\" data-mw='{\"parts\":[{\"template\":{\"target\":{\"wt\":\"post-nominals\",\"href\":\".\/Template:Post-nominals\"},\"params\":{\"country\":{\"wt\":\"GBR\"},\"1\":{\"wt\":\"DSO\"},\"sep\":{\"wt\":\",\"},\"2\":{\"wt\":\"DFC2\"}},\"i\":0}}]}'\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Order\" title=\"Distinguished Service Order\"\u003eDSO\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)\" title=\"Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\"\u003eDFC\u003c\/a\u003e \u0026amp; \u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Medal_bar\" title=\"Medal bar\"\u003eTwo Bars\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(20 October 1919 – 23 September 2004) was a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Royal_Air_Force\" title=\"Royal Air Force\" id=\"mwDA\"\u003eRoyal Air Force\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flying_ace\" title=\"Flying ace\" id=\"mwDQ\"\u003eflying ace\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_World_War\" title=\"Second World War\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwDg\"\u003eSecond World War\u003c\/a\u003e. Stephens scored 17 kills, three shared kills, one probable kills and five damaged.\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-1\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-1\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-1\" id=\"mwDw\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwEA\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwEQ\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e1\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwEg\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection data-mw-section-id=\"1\" id=\"mwFA\" aria-labelledby=\"Early_life\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Early_life\"\u003eEarly life\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwFQ\"\u003eBorn in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ranchi\" title=\"Ranchi\" id=\"mwFg\"\u003eRanchi\u003c\/a\u003e, India on 20 October 1919, the son of John William Stephens, a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/British_Army\" title=\"British Army\" id=\"mwFw\"\u003eBritish Army\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eofficer serving with the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lincolnshire_Regiment\" title=\"Lincolnshire Regiment\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwGA\"\u003eLincolnshire Regiment\u003c\/a\u003e, Stephens was educated at the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Xaverian\" title=\"Xaverian\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwGQ\"\u003eXaverian\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eColleges at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Clapham\" title=\"Clapham\" id=\"mwGg\"\u003eClapham\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mayfield,_East_Sussex\" title=\"Mayfield, East Sussex\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwGw\"\u003eMayfield, Sussex\u003c\/a\u003e. After school he initially joined the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Port_of_London_Authority\" title=\"Port of London Authority\" id=\"mwHA\"\u003ePort of London Authority\u003c\/a\u003e, before going to the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Royal_Air_Force_College_Cranwell\" title=\"Royal Air Force College Cranwell\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwHQ\"\u003eRoyal Air Force College Cranwell\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein 1938. At Cranwell he excelled in boxing and rowing and was awarded his wings in 1940.\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-2\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-2\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-2\" id=\"mwHg\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwHw\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwIA\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e2\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwIQ\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection data-mw-section-id=\"2\" id=\"mwIg\" aria-labelledby=\"Second_World_War\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Second_World_War\"\u003eSecond World War\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwIw\"\u003eStephens' first posting was to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/No._3_Squadron_RAF\" title=\"No. 3 Squadron RAF\" id=\"mwJA\"\u003eNo. 3 Squadron RAF\u003c\/a\u003e, with whom he fought during the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_France\" title=\"Battle of France\" id=\"mwJQ\"\u003eBattle of France\u003c\/a\u003e. He became the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flight_Commander\" title=\"Flight Commander\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwJg\"\u003eFlight Commander\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eof B Flight during this battle, while still holding the rank of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pilot_officer\" title=\"Pilot officer\" id=\"mwJw\"\u003epilot officer\u003c\/a\u003e. On his return from France he was awarded the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)\" title=\"Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)\" id=\"mwKA\"\u003eDistinguished Flying Cross\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(DFC) and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Medal_bar\" title=\"Medal bar\" id=\"mwKQ\"\u003eBar\u003c\/a\u003e, which were gazetted at the same time (and in fact on the same page of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci id=\"mwKg\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/London_Gazette\" title=\"London Gazette\" class=\"mw-redirect\" id=\"mwKw\"\u003eLondon Gazette\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e):\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-3\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-3\" id=\"mwLA\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwLQ\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwLg\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e3\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwLw\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-4\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-4\" id=\"mwMA\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwMQ\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwMg\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e4\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwMw\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote class=\"templatequote\" id=\"mwNQ\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistinguished Flying Cross\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[...]\u003cbr\u003eThis officer has destroyed four enemy aircraft in May, 1940, and led his flight with courage and skill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBar to the Distinguished Flying Cross\u003cbr\u003e[...]\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis officer has continued to lead his flight against formations of enemy aircraft of much superior numbers with such good leadership that he rarely lost any members of his formation. In addition Pilot Officer Stephens brought down four more enemy aircraft recently, bringing his total to eight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwNg\"\u003eAfter the fall of France, B Flight was posted to Scotland and reformed as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/No._232_Squadron_RAF\" title=\"No. 232 Squadron RAF\" id=\"mwNw\"\u003eNo. 232 Squadron RAF\u003c\/a\u003e, of which Stephens was Commanding Officer. No 232 Squadron formed part of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/No._13_Group_RAF\" title=\"No. 13 Group RAF\" id=\"mwOA\"\u003eNo. 13 Group RAF\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eduring the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Britain\" title=\"Battle of Britain\" id=\"mwOQ\"\u003eBattle of Britain\u003c\/a\u003e. He was promoted flying officer on 20 August 1940,\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-5\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-5\" id=\"mwOg\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwOw\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwPA\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e5\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwPQ\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein the middle of the battle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwPg\"\u003eStephens next served North Africa where he joined No. 274 Squadron and was sent to Turkey for eight months, during which he flew operational patrols along the Bulgarian border. He twice intercepted Italian S-84 reconnaissance aircraft intruding across the border, and shot two down in a Turkish Hurricane, while wearing civilian clothes. In November 1941 he returned to the Western Desert to command No. 80 Squadron. He was shot down and wounded in both feet in December 1941, receiving a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Order\" title=\"Distinguished Service Order\" id=\"mwPw\"\u003eDistinguished Service Order\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein January 1942. The citation read:\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-6\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-6\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-6\" id=\"mwQA\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwQQ\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwQg\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e6\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwQw\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote class=\"templatequote\" id=\"mwRQ\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn December, 1941, this officer led a bombing and machine-gun attack on enemy mechanical transport in the Acroma area. Following the attack, Squadron Leader Stephens observed the fighter escort in combat with a force of enemy fighters, but, whilst attempting to participate in the engagement, his aircraft was severely damaged by an enemy fighter pilot whose cannon fire exploded the starboard petrol tank which, with the oil tank, burst into flames. The same burst of fire wounded Squadron Leader Stephens in both feet and blew out the starboard side of the aircraft's cockpit. Squadron Leader Stephens then prepared to abandon aircraft but, when half-way out of the cockpit, he observed an enemy aircraft fly past him. He immediately regained his seat and shot down the enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Stephens finally, left his crippled aircraft by parachute and landed safely on the ground where he beat out the flames from his burning clothing. Although he had landed within 300 yards of the enemy's lines, Squadron Leader Stephens succeeded in regaining our own territory within three-quarters of an hour. Throughout, this officer displayed great courage and devotion to duty. Previously, Squadron Leader Stephens led his squadron on operations which were of the greatest value during the battle for Tobruk. His leadership and example proved an inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwRg\"\u003eHe then joined No. 229 Squadron flying Spitfires on Malta in October 1942. He was shot down on 12 October and picked up by an air-sea rescue motor launch. In November he became\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wing_leader\" title=\"Wing leader\" id=\"mwRw\"\u003ewing commander (flying)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eat\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/RAF_Hal_Far\" title=\"RAF Hal Far\" id=\"mwSA\"\u003eHal Far airfield\u003c\/a\u003e. He returned to the UK in 1943 and served in various staff positions, before becoming Chief Flying Instructor at No. 3 Operational Training Unit in January 1944.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwSQ\"\u003eStephens' final score in the war was 15 (and 3 shared) destroyed, 2 unconfirmed destroyed, 1 probable and 5 damaged.\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-7\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-7\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-7\" id=\"mwSg\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwSw\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwTA\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e7\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwTQ\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection data-mw-section-id=\"3\" id=\"mwTg\" aria-labelledby=\"Post-war_career_and_personal_life\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-heading mw-heading2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"Post-war_career_and_personal_life\"\u003ePost-war career and personal life\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mw-editsection\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwTw\"\u003eStephens continued to serve in the RAF until 1960. After the Second World War he was the first RAF officer to join the newly formed\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NATO\" title=\"NATO\" id=\"mwUA\"\u003eNATO\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand had staff appointments with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Supreme_Headquarters_Allied_Powers_Europe\" title=\"Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe\" id=\"mwUQ\"\u003eSupreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_Ministry\" title=\"Air Ministry\" id=\"mwUg\"\u003eAir Ministry\u003c\/a\u003e, where he was involved in fighter operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwUw\"\u003eHe joined the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"mw:WikiLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rolls-Royce_Limited\" title=\"Rolls-Royce Limited\" id=\"mwVA\"\u003eRolls-Royce\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecompany soon afterward and based himself in Paris. He retired altogether in 1980 and lived in the south of France, only to return to Britain in 1992.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwVQ\"\u003eIn 1942 he married Violet May Paterson, always known as \"Blue\" because she was given a blue ribbon when she was born to identify her from her twin sister; the couple had a son and a daughter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"mwVg\"\u003ePhotographs of Stephens' medals and damage to his aircraft appeared in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci id=\"mwVw\"\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein June 2012.\u003csup class=\"mw-ref reference\" id=\"cite_ref-8\" rel=\"dc:references\" data-mw='{\"name\":\"ref\",\"attrs\":{},\"body\":{\"id\":\"mw-reference-text-cite_note-8\"}}'\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maurice_Michael_Stephens#cite_note-8\" id=\"mwWA\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mw-reflink-text\" id=\"mwWQ\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwWg\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e8\u003cspan class=\"cite-bracket\" id=\"mwWw\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection data-mw-section-id=\"4\" id=\"mwXA\" aria-labelledby=\"Citations\"\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"airdrop militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49309636526339,"sku":"AA31902","price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/airdropmilitaria.com\/products\/1-72-corgi-aa31902-supermartine-spitfire-mk-vb-ep706-t-l-flown-by-sqn-ldr-maurice-mike-stephens-10th-oct-1942-takali-malta-no-249-sqdn-r-a-f-limited-edition-2002-release","provider":"airdrop militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}