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Model of the Month + Latest COBI delivery on the way
Welcome to this week's blog.
I'm delighted to announce we have a new COBI order on the way packed with the latest releases and returning brick model kits. Scroll to the end of the blog for details.
Included in this delivery is a new 1:48 scale Spitfire, which has a very interesting history and is therefore March's Model of the Month - see below for more.
That's all from me for this week - have a great weekend.
I'm delighted to announce we have a new COBI order on the way packed with the latest releases and returning brick model kits. Scroll to the end of the blog for details.
Included in this delivery is a new 1:48 scale Spitfire, which has a very interesting history and is therefore March's Model of the Month - see below for more.
That's all from me for this week - have a great weekend.
Warmest wishes,
Zoë
Spitfire Mk.I N3200: A Forgotten Hero Restored to Glory
The Supermarine Spitfire is one of Britain’s most iconic aircraft, and among the many that served during World War II, Spitfire Mk.I N3200 holds a particularly remarkable story. From its heroic service in the Battle of Dunkirk to its rediscovery and restoration decades later, N3200’s history is a testament to engineering excellence, and the enduring legacy of the RAF’s finest fighter.
The Wartime Role of Spitfire N3200
Built in 1939, Spitfire Mk.I N3200 was assigned to No. 19 Squadron, based at RAF Duxford. At the time, the Spitfire was still a relatively new aircraft, and squadrons were transitioning from older biplane fighters to this revolutionary monoplane design. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the Spitfire’s exceptional speed and agility made it a formidable adversary against the German Luftwaffe.
N3200’s most significant moment came on 26 May 1940, during Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk. Piloted by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Stephenson, the aircraft was tasked with providing air cover for the retreating British and French forces. However, while engaging enemy aircraft, N3200 was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf 109. Stephenson crash-landed on the beaches of Dunkirk, where he was quickly captured by German forces, spending the rest of the war as a prisoner.
Buried Beneath the Sand
Following its crash, N3200 remained on the beaches of Dunkirk, gradually swallowed by the shifting sands. For decades, it lay hidden, undisturbed, as the world moved on. It wasn’t until 1986 that the remains of the aircraft began to emerge due to coastal erosion, drawing the attention of historians and aviation enthusiasts.
Recognising its historical significance, an effort to recover and restore the aircraft began. In 2000, the wreckage was successfully retrieved, and work commenced on bringing this lost Spitfire back to life.
Restoration and Return to the Skies
The restoration process was painstakingly detailed, undertaken by specialists at Duxford’s Aircraft Restoration Company. The goal was not just to make the aircraft a museum piece but to restore it to full flying condition. Original components were salvaged where possible, and meticulous efforts ensured that the aircraft retained its authenticity.
In 2014, after 74 years, Spitfire Mk.I N3200 took to the skies once more. Seeing N3200 fly again was an emotional moment for many. John Romain, the chief test pilot, remarked:
"Flying a piece of history like this is an incredible honour. This aircraft, once buried in the sands of Dunkirk, is now soaring once more—a living tribute to those who fought and fell."
In 2015, Spitfire Mk.I N3200 was donated to IWM Duxford by its owner, Dr Thomas Kaplan, an American philanthropist, investor, and passionate supporter of historic aviation. Kaplan saw the aircraft as a significant piece of British and world history. Believing it belonged in its rightful home at Duxford, where it originally served with No. 19 Squadron RAF.
Kaplan explained:
"IWM Duxford is the ideal home for Spitfire N3200. It belongs to the British people, and I wanted it to be in a place where it would be respected, admired, and continue telling its story for generations to come."
Thanks to this donation, Spitfire N3200 remains airworthy and regularly flown at airshows, allowing visitors to witness a living piece of wartime history.
Check out IWM Duxford's 11 minute video below to learn more about the Spitfire N3200's history and take a look inside the restored cockpit.
The Legacy of Spitfire N3200
Today, N3200 stands as a symbol of the RAF’s valiant efforts during World War II. Its journey from wartime action to forgotten wreckage, and then to a fully restored flying aircraft, is a testament to the dedication of those who preserve aviation history.
The aircraft also serves as a poignant reminder of Operation Dynamo and the sacrifices made to ensure the survival of British and Allied troops.
For visitors to Duxford, witnessing N3200 in flight is more than just an aviation spectacle—it’s a powerful connection to the past, an opportunity to remember the pilots who flew into battle, and a celebration of the ingenuity that kept Britain fighting during its darkest hour.
New releases arriving soon
Due in stock 13th - 18th March.
Sold out models coming back
The models below are just some of the kits due back in stock 13th - 18th March.
Please note, in the full Backorder Collection, COBI-2588 is available to backorder but will not be on this delivery - see product page for when it is due back in stock.
Rob
Great blog on a truly iconic aircraft. I was lucky enough to enjoy a cockpit experience at Duxford in this aircraft, along with a tour and talk about its history. Fantastic experience! Nice to see Cobi creating models like this one!
Thanks Zoë!