1/48 Airfix Spitfire Mk.Vb (trop)

by Robert-Jan Willekens

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This old Airfix Spitfire Mk.V started off as an OOB built USAAF Spitfire Mk.Vb(trop). I later discovered that the markings I stuck on the model belonged in fact to a Spitfire Mk.IX; the SuperScale decal company was a bit confused over the marks flown by the USAAF in the African Theatre! Bother! So, with judicious use of sticky-tape, I managed to peel off the Stars and Bars; and I decided to make Flying Officer Neville Duke's Mk.Vb of No.92 Sqn RAF. The setting: the African desert of Tunisia, January 1943. Colours are by Humbrol: Dark Earth and Sand Yellow over Azure Blue. The colours are a bit harsh; I would have been happier using the correct Extracolor shades; but that is crying over spilled milk! The decals are mixed Aeromaster and Airfix spares, these requiring copious amounts of MicroSol and Set! The wheels are from True Details. Heated and stretched sprue form the antenna wires; the ones on the fuselage to the tailplane are for the HF set carried in these aircraft!

Robert-Jan

Photos and text © by Robert-Jan Willekens