Supermarine Spitfire Mk IA

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IA    K9998   QJ-K   92 Squadron,
Plt. Off Geoffrey Wellum,  RAF Biggin Hill, October 1940.

K9998 was one of the first production batch of Spitfires originally ordered in June 1936, and built at Woolston, near Southampton between May 1938 and September 1939. Its first flight was on 1 June 1939, and by this time the Merlin III was the standard engine, fitted with a de Havilland three-blade, two-speed propeller; this would be replaced by one with a constant speed unit in the middle of 1940. K9998 (constructor’s number 212) was allocated to 504 Squadron (a Hurricane unit) on 2 November 1939, but quickly transferred to 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron on 6 November. It overturned on soft ground on landing at Dyce on 9 February 1940, and on 24 February 1940 it was sent to Air Service Training, presumably for rebuild and modifications. On 2 July it joined 92 Squadron which at that time, after spells at Northolt and Hornchurch, was stationed at Pembrey on the coast of Wales carrying out convoy patrols. On 9 September the squadron transferred to Biggin Hill, where it remained until the end of 1941. On 1 November 1940 K9998 went to 7 Operational Training Unit at Hawarden, which was later redesignated 57 OTU; on 26 August 1941 it dropped a wing landing at Hawarden and cartwheeled, and was assessed as Category B. It ended its days as maintenance airframe 2822M, joining 6 School of Technical Training at Hednesford at the end of 1941.

GEOFFREY HARRIS AUGUSTUS WELLUM 42925

Born in Walthamstow, Essex on August 14th 1921, Wellum joined the RAF on a short service commission in August 1939. With training completed he went to 92 Squadron at Northolt on May 21st 1940.
On September 11th Wellum claimed a He 111 destroyed and on the 27th shared in the destruction of a Ju 88. In early August 1941 he was posted away to 52 OTU, Aston Down as a n instructor. He was awarded the DFC (5.8.41), being then credited with at least three enemy aircraft destroyed and several others damaged.
In March 1942 Wellum was posted to 65 Squadron at Debden as a Flight Commander. He was posted to Malta in August and led eight Spitfires off HMS Furious to Luqa.
After returning to the UK, Wellum became a test pilot at Gloster Aircraft, testing Typhoons. He later became a gunnery instructor, continuing this duty until the end of the war.
Wellum retired from the RAF on June 30th 1961, as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader.
APO 23.10.39   PO 20.5.40   FO 20.5.41   FL 20.5.42   FL 1.9.45

Ref: Men of the Battle of Britain by Kenneth G. Wynn (CCB Publications)

Scale 1:48    Wingspan 9.2″ (234 mm)
Base size 9.33″ (237 mm) square (No. 6)
Weight not including base 1lb 4.25 ozs (578 grams)    Limited edition of 25 only
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