Hobby Master HA7103 Spitfire Mk.XIV Jean Maridor 1/48

Hobby Master

HA7103

Spitfire MK.XIVE

RM656 No 91 Squadron

West Malling 1944

Jean Marie Maridor

Nigeria” Squadron 91

On January 11 1941 at Hawkinge, 421 Reconnaissance Squadron was renumbered 91 Squadron. This
Squadron would last until January 31 1947 when it was renumbered 92 Squadron. The Squadron
accumulated 68 aircraft victories and 152 V1s during their existence.

The “Nigeria” Squadron received its name when formed. It wasn’t until they started receiving the Mk. V
that there was any actual connection with their namesake country. Nigeria paid for 20 presentation
aircraft each with the name “Nigeria” followed by a specific province just forward of the cockpit.


The first V1 chasing Spitfires from the 150 Wing just didn’t have enough speed to catch the missiles so
when the XIVs became available the 91 Squadron was one of three assigned to the task. The thing to
remember was to stay at least 150 yards away from the V1 if you are going to shoot it down; even then
there was a risk of hitting flying debris or flying into burning rocket fuel.
On August 3, 1944 Jean Marie Maridor, a French pilot flying with the RAF was on duty in his XIV and
chasing a V1, a “Diver” as they were referred to. When he determined that the missile was headed for a
military hospital he decided he had one chance to make sure the missile didn’t reach its target. He flew
his Spit well within the 150 yards and opened fire. His bullets ripped through the V1 igniting it and
sending molten metal in every direction. Unfortunately the explosion tore Maridor’s Spitfire apart killing
him. Mission accomplished, the hospital was spared but at a great loss of a fine pilot. The remains of
Maridor’s body were found outside the hospital that he had just saved.
He was 24 years of age and due to be married 7 days later on August 10, 1944. Jean had accumulated
a record of 4 confirmed kills, 2 more probables and 3 damaged. He also destroyed 11 V1s and sank 20
vessels. He had been the recipient of 7 medals including the DFC

pre assembled

professionally painted

authentic scale 1/48

open or close canopy

interchangble undercarriage