The Umpires always like to give away a "Free Prize" at the end of each Big Game, and most of the time (when we've not forgotten, or are lost for inspiration), we've managed it. This year, a healthy mix of pure nostalgia, dumb luck and 1930s "airmindedness" has proved the spur:
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| Aaah ! Dogfight Doubles ! A splendid Airfix marketing ploy to sell more 1/72 kits - and every small boy's perfect present (at least in the 1970s). |
First introduced back in 1966, the "Dogfight Doubles" range covered everything from WW1 through to the Jet Age, usually in boxes (as above) dramatically illustrated by the splendid Roy Cross. For some reason, the "original range" didn't match the Spitfire with it's obvious "double", the Me 109 - instead we got the slower and more vulnerable twin-engined Me110.
However, that can be changed - here in the Hereford1938 Campaign, we've now got TWO Airfix bagged "Dogfight Double" kits of the Spitfire (Mk.2) v the Me109-E to give away as "high quality plastic injection" Player Prizes for the Spring Big Game 2024 !
The Me 109-E was introduced into service in late 1938 (although its predecessor marks had been around since 1937) and the Spitfire Mk2 came into service only in late 1940 (although it's visually practically indistinguishable Mk1 predecessor had been around since mid 1938), so these aircraft must be considered - with the "usual squint" - as "rare beasts" in Hereford1938. But to possess such a rare piece of ultra high technology in such a time of conflict.....well, a dream for any faction.
Given that we've got TWO prizes this time round, it's only right that we label one as "The Colonel A.D. Wintle Memorial Prize" (for Colonel Wintle, SEE HERE) awarded, as usual, to the "most VBCW player" during the day of the Big Game, and label the other as "The Umpires' Special Prize" awarded to the player most in need of a morale boost at the end of the Big Day. Who can tell where these double kits will eventually land.....
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