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Spiros Pendedekas
157 articles

Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk.Vb, Royal Hellenic Air Force

March 9, 2022 · in Aviation · · 34 ≡ · 1.5K

Hi everyone!


This is my Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk.Vb, finished as a Royal Hellenic Air Force bird.
Extensively used not only by the RAF, but also by other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II and produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft, the excellent Spitfire needs no introduction. It was the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war with many variants, using several wing configurations and two main types of engines. In 2021, the Spitfire continues to be popular among enthusiasts, with nearly 60 remaining airworthy and many more are static exhibits in aviation museums throughout the world.

Royal Hellenic Air Force (EBA) received the first Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb/c's from the RAF at the end of 1943 in the Middle East, equipping the 335 and 336 Squadrons.

After extensive action in North Africa and Yugoslavia, those Spitfires returned to Greece in October 1944, where they participated in the first phases of the Civil War. They were systematically replaced by newer editions and, from 1947 and onward, were used for operational training at the Air Force Academy.

Most EBA Mk.Vb/c's bore (at least in Africa) the bulky Vokes filter. Some featured the typical elliptical wings, while others wore the "cut" ones, with evidence not very clear upon the type of wingtips each plane carried.

Like RAF planes, they typically carried the "Middle East Camouflage" (Dark Earth and Midstone over Azure Blue), with EBA personnel frequently adding customized touches onto those planes.

These included overpainting the red areas of the fuselage and fin insignia with dark blue, painting prop hubs blue/white and decorating the cockpit sidewalls, among, possibly others. Again, info, as well as pic evidence, is not that plenty.

Seemingly, 335 Sq aircraft carried at the fuselage sides both the distinctive letter of the aircraft and the two Squadron call letters, whereas 336 Sq planes most probably carried only the characteristic letter of the aircraft.

The appearance of EBA Spitfires would change in September 1944, when 335 and 336 left Africa and relocated to Nuova of Italy.

They then belonged to the "Balkan Air Force" and flew missions over Yugoslavia, having received the "Temperate land scheme camouflage" (Dark green and Ocean gray over Medium sea gray). The cone of the propeller, as well as the aft fuselage band were painted "Sky". It was with this appearance that they returned home by the end of the war.
The now elderly Tamiya features a cockpit that is not as detailed compared to nowadays standards. Additionally, some shape issues seem to exist. That said, the finished model looks nothing else than a Vb, let alone the fact that it is a most easy and pleasant build.
Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/gb/spits/penvb.htm

Hapy modeling!

Reader reactions:
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34 responses

  1. Profile Photo
    George Schembri said on March 9, 2022

    ‘V’ for victory on this great looking Spitfire, Spiros! Nicely done and a great MM post also.

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    Marcus Vinicius Teixeira Borges said on March 10, 2022

    Congrats my dear friend!Keep them coming!

  3. Profile Photo
    capt. R said on March 10, 2022

    I'm impressed! Great Spitfire!

  4. Profile Photo
    Walt said on March 10, 2022

    Another nice build from the prolific Spiros, @fiveten. Nice looking Spitfire, I like the paint scheme of the Mediteranean Spits. I think you did a good job with painting the scheme on, it looks really good, good pattern and edges. Hope to see you join the B-24 build soon.

  5. Profile Photo
    Gary Brantley said on March 10, 2022

    @fiveten, another superb model Spiros! And I learned so much from your fine article too; thanks for educating us as well as enthralling us with a fine scale model! ?

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    Robert Royes said on March 10, 2022

    Verry nice, Spiros excellent weathering!

  7. Profile Photo
    Dennis Meyers said on March 10, 2022

    Great work Spiros. It looks awesome.

  8. Profile Photo
    Eric Berg said on March 10, 2022

    Very tropical as well as topical, Spiros @fiveten. Liked your MM piece a lot.

  9. Profile Photo
    John vd Biggelaar said on March 10, 2022

    Another excellent build, Spiros @fiveten
    The desert scheme looks great.
    This article and also the one on Modelling Madness are very nice as well.
    Well done my friend.

  10. Profile Photo
    neil foster said on March 10, 2022

    Great job on this Spiros , dessert scheme with that sand filter is probably my favorite Spitfire and a very interesting write up as well.
    What paints did you use on this ?
    N.

  11. Profile Photo
    gary sausmikat said on March 10, 2022

    Well done, Spiros! Great contributions to iM and MM.

  12. Profile Photo
    John Healy said on March 10, 2022

    Nice work, Spiros!

  13. Profile Photo
    Don Weixl said on March 10, 2022

    A beautiful model Spiros! You have inspired me to dig out my Tamiya Spitfire and start building.

  14. Profile Photo
    Mark P Hartig said on March 10, 2022

    Very nicely done brother, just dirty enough to be convincing

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    Greg Kittinger said on March 10, 2022

    Looks great Spiros! Another well done project.

  16. Profile Photo
    dale travis said on March 10, 2022

    Another beauty Spiros!

  17. Profile Photo
    Bob Torres said on March 12, 2022

    Another great build Spiros! Nice job on the desert scheme and overall finish.

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