Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia
Sgt PR Eyles 92 Sqn. N3248 / QJ-P

Completed in the colours of Spitfire Mk.Ia N3248 QJ-P of 92 Squadron stationed at RAF Biggin Hill and flown by 24 year old pilot, Sergeant Peter Raoul Eyles (565889) during the Battle of Britain August-September 1940.

Finished with AK acrylic and lacquer paints, Xtradecal aftermarket decals, ModelU 'RAF Photographer and Pilots' and a Coastal Kits diorama airfield hardstanding base. The scene is intended to depict Sergeant Eyles on the right and fellow pilot, P/O Hill (who coincidentally flew N3248 in the weeks prior to Eyles) having their picture taken in front of Eyles's Spitfire N3248 QJ-P. I was inspired to create this scene having seen many archive pictures of similar poses.

On the morning of 20th September 1940 92 Squadron were ordered to patrol at 5000' over Gravesend. The Squadron Operations Record Book records the events as follows: "Weather was fine, but layers of cloud from 4-9000ft. Ten aircraft took off in the am and intercepted formation of ME 109s who surprised Blue Section from behind and above. P/O HILL crashed and burnt out in DOVER AREA and SGT EYLES crashed in the sea. S/LDR SANDERS destroyed a ME 109 and another was damaged by P/O WADE"

Both Hill and Eyles were reportedly shot down by Luftwaffe fighter ace Major Mölders of JG51. In downing our two flyers he increased his tally of aerial victories to 40, the first fighter pilot to reach this number during the war and was awarded the 2nd Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Before his own demise on 22 November 1941 he became the first pilot in aviation history to shoot down 100 enemy aircraft!