1:32 Spitfire Mk.Vb

Spitfires of the Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb was the most widespread form of the whole type in 1941 and 1942. The Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine gave it back the advantage at greater altitudes, and the so-called B wing combined a pair of 20 mm Hispano cannon with four Browning machine guns. In this configuration the aircraft flew offensive sweeps over occupied France as well as defensive patrols over England.

All four machines on offer served with the Polish squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Aircraft EP594 with the code RF-D is listed with No. 303 Squadron and with the year 1942 and associated with Jan Zumbach. P8742 WX-A stands for No. 302 Squadron in 1941, AB968 ZF-H belonged in the same year to No. 308 Squadron, and W3207 JH-M represents No. 317 Squadron in 1943.

• Four marking options, all from Polish RAF units
• Individual fuselage letters and serial numbers
• Roundels and fin flashes in the types correct for the period
• Additional service stencils and filler markings
• Suited to dioramas with several machines of one unit as well

With options as colorful as these it pays to work in stages and let each group of markings dry properly before starting on the next. The surface must be smooth and glossy, otherwise matte edges will show up around the film. Once all the markings are in place, spray the whole model with a coat matching the degree of sheen you want. Check the fuselage letters against a photograph, because their spacing varied from machine to machine in the Polish squadrons. The set holds only decals; you obtain the plastic parts separately.