Airfix A50191 1/72 617 Sqn. Dambusters 80th Anniversary - Gift Set

 

No.617 Squadron has become one of the RAF’s most famous units, following the incredible operation known as the ‘Dambuster Raid’. To this day this incredible legacy continues, the unit was reformed in April 2018 to commemorate its centenary, which consists of the first operational Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightnings.

 

As the first of 20 modified Avro Lancasters arrived at RAF Scampton on 8th April 1943, the specially assembled volunteer crews of specialist 'Squadron X' (later allocated the RAF squadron number 617) from within 5 Group Bomber Command must have been intrigued. The new aircraft were B.III (Specials), referred to at Avro's Woodford factory as Lancaster Type 464 Provisioning and each one had been modified with equipment to deliver the Vickers Type 464 'Upkeep' mine. Although the mines had not been delivered to Scampton at that time, talk amongst the crews inevitably turned to discussing their intended target, with most assuming they would be sent to attack the massive German battleship Tirpitz.