1/48 Airfix Spitfire Vb, 'Buck' McNair, 249 Squadron, Malta
I've finished the third of my triple Malta builds. "Buck" McNair's Spitfire Vb. The Airfix kit is a great build, requiring only the removal of the reinforcing strips over the wheel wells, Ultracast exhaust, entry door and seat.
AB264 was a Vickers built Mk Vb, originally finished in the Tropical land scheme (with Sky lowers), and delivered on operation 'Spotter'. After arrival, the Sand color only was oversprayed with a locally mixed Grey and the serials reapplied in White.
My kit was finished in the same way, desert scheme oversprayed with Grey using Tamiya acrylics, and weathered with pastels and oils.
Hope you like, thanks for looking,
Colin
Nice job, Colin. Like the paint and weathering look.
Great job, Colin. Fine build with an especially well-done finish. All good.
As beautiful as the others!
What a beauty! great build.
Nice work on this. I have the decals for the individual aircraft markings, so I think one of my Eduards is going to follow your excellent example.
McNair wrote a very good memoir "Malta Spitfire" - available in a newer 2nd Ed at Amazon with an introduction by James Holland. Interestingly, he confirms that the airplanes got repainted, with shipboard Navy paint, on the way, aboard Wasp - like we've been guessing.
Thanks! I think more scheme's were used in the tiny island of Malta, than in the whole rest of the world!
@tail-dragon - I believe you are right, sir!
Thanks for the info on the McNair book. I'll have to pick it up. I'm interested in him as he was Group Captain for RCAF No. 4 Fighter Wing in CFB Baden-Soellingen (CF-86's and CF-100's), when I was born there in '58 while my dad was stationed there as a met officer.
I have decals for a Spit IX of his waiting for a future project.
Excellent Malta bird, Colin @tail-dragon
As beautiful as the others.
Excellent all over, Colin!
Gorgeous Spitfire!
Excellent work, Colin. I was just reading up on that plane yesterday.
Beautiful work! Looks very sharp
Great job, Colin (@tail-dragon). Malta produced some really interesting camo schemes.
Super Job Colin!