Bob Tuck's 65 Squadron Spitfire

[Dpgsbody55]

This is a model I've long wanted to do and thanks to Kotare for doing an early Spitfire Model and ASK for doing the decals, it's now possible.  The kit itself is a wonderful build, with not many parts if you want a quick build.  Everything fits well if you don't rush it and all the parts are well detailed.  However, I added an Eduard Space set to improve the details a bit more.

 

This particular plane was first flown by future ace Bob Stanford Tuck, who joined the RAF on a short service commission in September 1935.  Born in 1916, he left school in 1933 and joined the Merchant navy for a short time, where his natural deflection shooting abilities became evident shooting sharks from his ship, which is an extremely difficult task thanks to their thick skins.  Graduating rated above average from No.3 FTS at Grantham in August 1936, initially flying Gloster Gauntlets, then later Gladiators with 65 Squadron.  It was here that his reputation for luck began to develop, surviving two mid air collisions.  The first happened in January 1938 practicing close formation flying with two other pilots.  The middle plane hit the lead plane's turbulence and the pilot panicked, pulling the plane up and directly into the path of Tuck's plane, killing the other pilot.  The wings came of Tuck's plane and wrapped around the canopy, trapping him inside.  Struggling to get out, eventually the wings departed and Tuck parachuted out.  Landing with a thud, he found blood all over his throat, which turned out to be from a large gash on his right cheek from ear to chin.  After plucking out a loose tooth through this gash, he was rescued and taken to hospital by a young lady who's driving he rated more terrifying than the fall to earth trapped in his cockpit.  He was again involved in a mid air collision in April 1938 when other Gladiator got too close and damaged a lower wing tip.  This time, both pilots survived and Tuck was able to bring the Gladiator safely home.  However, as the ground crews were wheeling his plane away, the lower wing fell off.  One of the ground crew was heard mumbling "Gawd. Tuck's luck."  Tuck was one of the first in 65 Sqdn to convert to Spitfires, and the picture below was taken in June 1938.

 

The first of May 1940 saw Tuck now commanding a flight at 92 Squadron, and they saw action over Dunkirk on the twenty third of that month, claiming three enemy aircraft destroyed on that day.  The following day he shot down two German Bombers, but by day's end, the squadron had lost a lot of planes either damaged or destroyed and the next day including Sdn Ldr Roger Bushell's plane, Tuck lead the remaining eight planes into battle over Dunkirk.  He was awarded his first DFC in June.  He continued with 92 during the early part of the Battle of Britain, and was shot down a few times too, but gained six more victories.  On September 11th, he was posted to Acting Squadron Leader at 257 Squadron flying Hurricanes.  He is believed to have shot down future ace Hans Joachim Marseille on 23rd September who was fished out of the water near Cap Griz Nez.  On that date Tuck is the only pilot to make a claim that day in that area.   By October he was awarded a bar to his DFC,  the citation mentioning his skill, gallantry and determined leadership.  In January 1941, he was awarded the Distinguished  Service Order, and another bar to his DFC in March 1941.  He was made acting Wing Commander in July 1941 and took command of the Duxford wing.  Later that year, he was sent to America along with "Sailor" Malan and Harry Broadhurst to evaluate lend lease aircraft and train US pilots.  Returning to ops, he was posted as Wing Commander to Biggin Hill, where he flew his last missions until 28th January 1942,  when his Spitfire Mk.Vb was brought down by ground fire near Boulogne while on a "Rhubarb" (ground attack) mission.  He crash landed his Spitfire and was set upon by furious soldiers before he could destroy his plane.  Fearing for his life, he was dragged to see the results of his destruction, but was saved when it was seen how his last shot had gone down the barrel of a 20mm cannon, splitting the barrel like a banana.  He spent almost the rest of the war in captivity, after having been entertained and dined by Adolf Galland on his first night.  He escaped captivity along with a Polish RAF pilot in February 1945, managing to reach Russian lines where his Polish companion managed to communicate with the Russian soldiers in their own language and they were repatriated to England.  Tuck was given Squadron Leader rank when he stayed on in 1945, then made up to Wing Commander in July 1947.  In June 196, he received his final decoration, the American DFC, in recognition of his distinguished service during the war.  His final score was 29 enemy aircraft destroyed, six probables and six damaged, although another Messerschmitt 109 was awarded in 1982, when the remains of an unconfirmed kill were unearthed in Kent.  Tuck left the RAF in May 1949, commanding a Spitfire wing based in Singapore.  Tuck died age 70 in May 1987.

 

 

My attempt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plane, K9906, first flew on 21st March 1938, and was issued to 65 Squadron on 24th of that month.  It was handed over to 64 Sqdn on 17th April 1940, then to 7 OTU on 23rd May 1940.  By October 1941, it had been converted to PRIII Type C and issued to 1 PRU at Benson.  It was involved in a flying accident in February 1942 and sustained Cat E damage, sent to 8 OTU then sent on to Scottish Aviation on 29th November, was on the Royal Naval Deposit Account by 22nd May 1943 on which date it was struck off charge.  This was a reasonably long life for a Spitfire of this vintage.

 

I've done a WIP, which you can find here.

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

Edited July 5 by Dpgsbody55

[Biggles87]

I’ve long been an admirer of Bob Tuck and you’ve done a great job on his Spitfire, the build was a pleasure to watch.
Comparing your B & W photo with the period one above I’d say you got the camouflage colours contrast just right.

 

John. 🇺🇦

[Furie]

Fantastic work, Michael!

I love it when the history goes hand in hand with the model, it's really fascinating.

Your Spit looks superb!

[Dpgsbody55]

On 7/7/2026 at 7:14 PM, Biggles87 said:

I’ve long been an admirer of Bob Tuck and you’ve done a great job on his Spitfire, the build was a pleasure to watch.
Comparing your B & W photo with the period one above I’d say you got the camouflage colours contrast just right.

 

John. 🇺🇦

 

I don't remember how many times I read Fly For Your Life when I was a teenager.  His story certainly struck a chord with me.  

 

Seeing my previous early Spitfire in black and white made me realise the colours were wrong, so I spent a bit of time getting it right on this one.

 

On 7/8/2026 at 12:53 AM, Furie said:

Fantastic work, Michael!

I love it when the history goes hand in hand with the model, it's really fascinating.

Your Spit looks superb!

 

Thanks Denis.  I finds I always get a bit more invested with the model if I know some of the history of the plane and it's pilot.  

 

 

Cheers,

Michael