Spitfire in IDF Service
It is well-known that President Truman recognized the Jewish state within hours of its creation on May 14, 1948. He did that over the objection of the State Department, which may or may not have been asked, since that institution was famously antisemitic at that time. (Not a political statement; just fact.) But with that recognition did not come much help with finding weapons to protect the nascent state from neighbors. Less than three years after the end of the Second World War, the world was awash with weapons, but various laws, treaties and outright hostility kept them out of the hands of the Israelis.
However, that did not prevent many adventurous and committed people from risking so much to help. In a plan known as Operation Velvetta (see Wikipedia article of the same name), Spitfires were purchased for $23,000 per plane in Czechoslovakia and flown in great secrecy to Israel with Czech markings.
Actually, the kit I used was an Early Edition (Eduard Spitfire Ixc Early Edition ProfiPACK Kit #8282), but all the parts needed for the Late Edition are in Early Edition boxing of the kit. Some time ago, I had pirated the markings, the masks and some parts from this ProfiPACK kit for another project. I put the reminder away for another day.
At some point, Eduard offered a Spitfire in Israeli Defense Force service markings. But for the fact I simply had accumulated too many ProfiPACK kits in my stash, I would have bought it.
Then I saw Techmod decal set 48064, with markings for Spitfires in IDF service. After examining this kit, I found that all the parts for a Late Edition with the clipped wings and the cannons mounted outboard were all there. All I needed were for the Late Edition instructions to identify the correct parts. That was easily easily available on the Eduard website.
Confused? I hope not. The kit went together perfectly with no issues. The Eduard Spitfires are well-known and do not require much recounting here. This is my second Eduard 1/48th scale Spitfire, and I was again unable to figure out the odd arrangement of parts for the exhaust manifolds. But that was no issue as they fit perfectly without all the parts called for. Some of the parts are extremely small and difficult to work with. However, patience will be rewarded.
Tamiya paint was used over Tamiya Surface Primer. Colors used were:
- XF-10 - Flat Brown
- XF-19 - Sky Grey
- XF58 - Olive Green
- XF-71 - Cockpit Green (IJN) - appears to be the same of Pale Green RAF cockpit color.
I selected these colors based on available information about colors supposedly used in Czech service.
The red stripes on the tail were masked off and painted and came out really well. I used Vallejo Model Air Red/RLM 23, 71.003.
The Techmod decals work very well and settled down with Tamiya Mark Fit (regular strength). Mark Fit Strong should be reserved for heavier decals, such as Tamiya's own. Techmod decals come from Poland, and they are very high quality and beautifully printed. Full color instructions/diagrams are included. This is my second model using them, and I am quite pleased. I obtained mine from Hannant's in the UK.
That is a good-looking Israeli Spit! Well done.
Thank you, Greg (@gkittinger). Eduard kits always give one a great starting point.
Well done, Matt! I have the Velvetta limited edition, and your rendition is a great motivation to do mine.
Bravo!
Thank you, Stephane (@stelaire).
Splendid result, Matt!
As always, it is god to hear from you, Spiros (@fiveten)
Very nice indeed, Matt @matthewfdyer
You made this Spitfire look really good in Israeli camouflage.
Thank you, John (@johnb). I do not often use Tamiya acrylics on airplanes, but this one worked out.
Nice work and a super result, Matt.
Thank you, Tom (@tcinla)
Excellent result - that's a fine looking Spit!
Thank you, Chas (@chasbunch)
Super sharp looking kit. Cool to see these markings. Glad the Techmod decals worked so well for you. My experience with them was less than good but maybe I should give them a second chance
Thank you, David (@dbutlr). One thing about Techmod decals is they are more brittle than other decals. Naturally this means they need to be floated off the backing paper gently. They don't shatter, but they do rip. (This is why I always start with the decals on the underside first, in case there are some unknown installation tricks to be learned.) Aside from that, I like them. The printing and ink colors are right on, and they have lots of aircraft that others do not have.
Well-stated regarding the re-birth of Israel, Matt. Your well-done Spitfire is a fine salute to that time in history.
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them, Bob (@bails).
History usually shows that where there’s a will there’s a way. Cool looking Spitfire.
Or where there's a will there's a relative... haha
Great looking israeli Spitfire Matt , very neat.
Thanks, Neil (@neil-foster)
Great! Spitfire always Good!
Good to hear from you, Lis. Thanks you (@lis)
Awesome work, Matt (@matthewfdyer). The tail stripes really came out well. You don't see too many Israeli planes done, so thanks for sharing.
Thank you, George (@gblair).
Really like the paint scheme on this Spitfire! Turned out excellent.
Thank you, John (@jdtruby).