1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX/XVI 2nd TAF

Spitfires of the Second Tactical Air Force

Thirteen schemes tell of Spitfires of the Mk.IX and Mk.XVI versions in the colors of the Second Tactical Air Force, which from June 1944 advanced behind the front line from Normandy through Belgium and the Netherlands as far as German soil. Its squadrons lived on makeshift strips of steel matting, moved on after a few weeks and flew armed reconnaissance, escort for bombers and strikes on ground targets. Among the aircraft shown is the machine of the Canadian pilot Audet, who on 29 December 1944 shot five enemy aircraft down during a single sortie and overnight became a name for newspaper headlines.

Selected schemes

• Aircraft of No. 127, 341, 350, 411, 416, 421, 443 and 641 Squadrons
• The commanders' machines of No. 135 and No. 145 Wings, carrying personal initials in place of a squadron code
• A pair of low-flying Spitfires of No. 16 Squadron from the autumn of 1944
• The Mk.XVI version with an engine built under license in America, told apart by details of the airframe

The procedure for applying them

Have the water lukewarm rather than hot, because the fine print comes free of the backing quickly and in a hot bath it is apt to curl up. Once each item is laid in place, let it float for a while on a drop of water, so that it can be brought into the right position, and only then draw it off with a cloth from the center toward the edges. Once it has dried, run a cotton swab dampened in clean water around the joint and wipe the remains of the adhesive away, or a glossy trace will stand out after the matte varnish is sprayed on.