1/48 Eduard, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc, MH763, flown by Prince Emanuel Galitzine, No. 72 Squadron RAF, Ramatuelle Airfield, France, autumn 1944.

1/48 Eduard, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc, MH763, flown by Prince Emanuel Galitzine, No. 72 Squadron RAF, Ramatuelle Airfield, France, autumn 1944.

As can be seen in a period photo, this aircraft landed at Ramatuelle Airfield in southern France. No. 72 Squadron moved to this airfield during Operation Dragoon. MH763 was flown by Prince Emanuel Galitzine, a member of the Russian aristocracy. His family emigrated from Russia to Great Britain and saved their lives from communist murderers. Emanuel Galitzine lived out a very colorful piloting career. He took part in the air defense of Finland against Soviet aggressors. He was accepted by the RAF in 1941 and became famous for his attempt to shoot down a high-flying recce Ju 86R over Southampton on September 12th, 1942. He flew a modified Spitfire for this action. Galitzine served with various units and shot down at least one Fw190. After the war he worked as a pilot for a civil aviation company.