A Canadian Spitfire
Hi All!
It is no secret that I like Spitfires. I am not an apologist, the Spitfire had a ridiculously short range and kept its inadequate armament of .303 caliber guns far too long. But it is a beautiful aircraft and the sound as it flies by makes my heart sing. I have built Spitfires in 1/24th, 1/32nd, 1/48th,/1/72nd, 1/100th, and 1/144th scales, and almost every kit on the market, some excellent, and some nightmarish. So when I say the Eduard series of Merlin-powered Spitfires are the top of the line, I mean it. But this accuracy comes with a price...the kits are a bit fiddly.
The subject of this posting is an Eduard Spitfire F.VIII profipak. The profipak comes with additional decals, masks, and etched metal parts. The Eduard Spitfires require the builder to follow the instructions, so you can choose the correct parts for your version of the kit, and do not forget that one part (ask me how I know!). You also need to trim ANY excess plastic from the part and remove any paint from the mating surfaces otherwise fit issues will arise. The kit went together really nicely, a little filler here and there was used but nothing major. It was however a time-consuming endeavor due to the sheer number of small parts. The etched instrument panel is absolutely gorgeous and you really should use it.
I do have a couple of issues with the kit. First are the exhausts. What the heck were they thinking? These are too over-engineered and should have been done much simpler. The second is the cowl top, Eduard has this in two parts, but with modern molds, they should be one part.
I chose a Spitfire Mk.VIII flown by Bert Houle of 417 Sqn. The aircraft is fairly plain Jane without any stripes or art, just what I was looking for (I hate stripes!). Vallejo Dark Earth, Middle Stone, and Azure Blue were used. When cured a coat of Future was applied for the decals. An Aeromaster sheet with Spitfire and Hurricane roundels was used for the national markings and the serial and codes came from a Watermark sheet. The Watermark series of decals were taken from "Spitfire-The Canadians" and though the subjects are very good, the decals are overly thick and do have some color issues. Too bad really. A second coat of Future was applied to seal the decals and when dry a flat clear was sprayed on. The final bits such as the prop, canopy, etc were attached and the kit was finished.
The model represents a Supermarine built Spitfire F.VIII serial JG184, coded AN*A of 417 Squadron, RAF based at Anzio, Italy during February of 1944 and flown by Squadron Leader Albert Ulrich "Bert" Houle (11.5 victories). S/L Houle survived the war.
The Eduard Merlin Spitfires are without a doubt the best detailed and accurate on the market. But as said before it does come with a cost, the kits are very fiddly in some areas. So I can recommend these kits to modelers with some experience. If you wish to build easier kits, the Airfix MK.I, II, and V kits are almost as good but are easier builds. But with all of the fiddly bits I still really like the Eduard kits.
Bruce
Very nice Spit Bruce - love the tropical colour scheme. Well done sir 🙂
Nice work, Bruce. It’s a great kit but you’re right about the exhaust. What were they thinking?
Excellent result, Bruce! I agree, the exhausts are needlessly over engineered.
You had me at Canadian. Well done
Some really nice work, Bruce @rbrucearcher
The desert scheme came out very well.
Thanks for the comments. The lovely -and-deliteful Dana ( the better half!) and I were invited to Ottawa when Mike Potter revealed his Spitfire XVI to the world. It was a great show. We met a LOT of Canadian Spitfire Pilots and had some really great conversations. Mike Potter had some very strong men there to help ANY pilot, regardless of their mobility to sit ( when the finish was scratched, Mr. Potter said they were "Badges of honor") in his Spit. Two of my good friends, (Steve Sauve, and Bob Swaddling) were there, and the pilots of 421 Sqn adopted my wife as an honorary member. I also am proud to call the late Robert Bracken a friend. So I am prejudiced toward Canadian Spitfires...
Awesome work, Bruce. I‘m currently working on an Airfix Mk.1. One cannot have enough Spits. Yours looks great!
Very nicely done. The Spitfire has all the classic lines of a WW2 fighter and those unique curved wingtips.
Nice Spit!
G'day Bruce (@rbrucearcher),
Having built two of these (Aussie Eight boxing), and having enjoyed them so much, I bought another pair of the same off a friend (to be built).
I also have Mk I dual, Mk II dual and Mk V dual boxings to build.
I agree with you about the upper cowling and exhausts (but relatively easily delt with) and there is some fiddly etch in the cockpit.
The Mk VIII is surely the most beautiful Spit and yours looks great in the desert camo.
I'd like to see a few more photos.
Liked!
G'day Michael!
I would love to post more images, and more Spitfire and Seafires but I am in the process of moving, and everything is packed up.
The Eduard Spitfires are probably the best as far as molding and detail. But if you are like me, with fat arthritic fingers they are difficult to build with all of those tiny parts and etched bits. I do prefer the Airfix MK.I and Vb as they are MUCH easier for me to build, and when placed side by side with the Eduard they can be hard to tell apart.. But for the two-stage Merlin Spits, Eduard is the best
So many Spitfires and so little time...
Bruce