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RAF Hawarden in Flintshire, North Wales, was one of the Operational Training Unit's bases where the WWII Spitfire pilots undertook their flight instruction. 57 OTU was originally formed as 7 OTU at Hawarden in April 1940 but was renamed as 57 OTU at the end of December the same year. Throughout its instruction period, this training unit's main equipment comprised the Spitfire.

Our 1:72 scale model is a replica of a Mk I Spitfire AR212 flown by Canadian pilot Sgt S W Steenson on 16th March 1942. It was involved in a mid-air collision with a Spitfire X4605 flown by fellow Canadian Sgt R J Lawlor. Tragically, Sgt Steenson was killed whilst Sgt Lawlor's Spitfire suffered only minor damage and he was able to return to base.

Decorated in a matt dark green and brown camouflage with pale green underside and yellow engine cowl top and sides, the Spitfire carries the RAF roundels of the day as well as its Spitfire ID AR212 towards the rear of the fuselage. Further markings NL-V, reversed on the port side are printed in yellow and white along the sides. Additional detailing includes yellow propeller tips and spinner, black propeller blades, guns and tyres and rusty brown exhaust pipes.