1/48 Eduard Spitfire LF Mk.IXe, RK856, Flown by Maj. Cecil Golding, CO of No. 3 Squadron SAAF, Italy, 1945

Avery interesting marking – the red tail band – was applied to the Spitfires flown by SAAF No. 3 Squadron during a specific time period in 1945. The personal mount of the squadron CO, Maj. Cecil Golding, wore this band as well. Golding joined combat ops in 1942 and fought as a Curtiss Tomahawk pilot against German forces in Libya. He managed to shoot down two Ju 87 Stukas and one Bf 109F singlehandedly and shared one Ju 87 with another pilot. He also damaged an Italian Fiat Br.20 bomber. Cecil Golding was shot down on June 3, 1943 by a Bf 109F pilot. He is noted as being a victim of Hans Joachim Marseille in some studies. After his return from hospital, he served with other South African squadrons. On December 27, 1944, he was promoted to Major and became the CO of SAAF No. 3 Squadron. His unit was tasked with the support of ground units and flew Spitfires in the fighter-bomber role.