1/48 ICM USAAF Spitfire Mk.IXc

by Robert-Jan Willekens

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This is an ICM (Ukrainian manufacturer) model of their rendition of a Mk.IX Spitfire, built OOB. It is a faithful replica of Spitfire Mk.IXc MH894/WZ-JJ "Lady Ellen III" The airplane was flown by Lt. John Fawcett, of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 15th Air Force, flying out of Castel Volturno, Italy. The date: February 1944.

In direct contradiction to standing orders, the aircraft of the 309th were still carrying the Insignia Red surrounds to their Stars and Bars, probably because their Spitfires were to be replaced by Mustangs, which were considerably delayed  because of high demand of this type in the Western European Theater.  The eventual replacing actually happened on the 30th March of 1944! All the other squadrons of the 31st FG had their red surrounds replaced by Insignia Blue late fall of 1943.

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The "temperate scheme" of Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey has been considerably faded due to the harsh environment of the Northern Sahara and Mediterranean.  I simulated that by adding a fair amount of grey to the original paint. The areas of the RAF markings were carefully overpainted with fresher colours. The portion behind the canopy is MSG, no idea why this was done! Probably it was a damaged area, and no Ocean Grey was available...See the black and white pictures taken from the book "American Spitfire - camouflage and markings" by Ventura publications (1998) ISBN 0-9583594-3-1. The yellow spot just behind the canopy is a gas detection patch, which was supposed to change colour when exposed to battlefield gas!

The Red bands over the wingtips were additional identification of the group. Also, a small yellow area under the propeller with the double J is present, in order to help ground crew spot the aircraft readily from head-on. The double J code indicated that another WZ-J was on strength. The wheels were covered with hubcaps to reduce the damage by sand and dust to the brakes. The interior was finished in RAF Interior green; the seat was the bakelite version, which had a distinct reddish colour. Markings came from an old MSAP set, the roundels are from Xtradecal. All paints are Xtracolor. The ICM model is not one of my favourites; it does however capture the lines of this Spitfire Mark quite nicely, although I am a bit undecided about the curvature and shape of the cowling. Fit is not as good as the Tamigawa renditions, but acceptable enough for the more experienced modeler. 

Robert

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Photos and text © by Robert-Jan Willekens