1:48 SPITFIRE VB

A bulged dome over the pilot's head

The Spitfire Mk.Vb received a sliding canopy with a blown side shape, which finally let the pilot turn his head without leaning against the frame. Armored glass sat on the windscreen, small triangular panes remained at the sides and a glazed panel closed the rear of the cockpit. It is exactly that combination of flat and doubly curved surfaces that makes outlining the frames by hand a thankless job.

Single-sided masking and why it is enough

This item covers the canopy from the outside only. That is a legitimate choice which cuts the work down: on a model with a closed canopy the inner side of the frame hardly comes into play and few people notice the difference. If you plan to slide the canopy back and leave the interior visible, count on painting the inner edges yourself.

The machine the mask goes on

The Mk.V was the most numerous variant of the whole family and flew from the coast of England through Malta all the way to North Africa. It is the African and Maltese machines that tend to be the most tempting for modelers, because they carry sand camouflage, dust filters under the nose and often clipped wingtips. The glazing does not change across all those versions, so a single mask covers a wide choice of finishes.

Decals as a bonus

One mask for the national marking is included, together with a decal sheet. The combination of a mask and a decal is present only in part of this brand's range, so it is a difference in contents worth watching.

Before you start

Paints and the model itself are bought separately. Let the clear parts rest for a few hours before masking so that residual thinner evaporates from them, otherwise the mask stretches when it is being removed.