1:72 Spitfire Mk.Vc Westland´s cannon bulges /AFX,SWD

Spitfire Mk.Vc — Westland-built cannon bulges (1:72)

An inconspicuous detail, but a decisive one for those who know: Spitfire Mk.Vc aircraft built under license by Westland had differently shaped cannon bulges on the upper surface of the wing from the aircraft out of the other plants. This resin set from the Czech brand AML brings the correctly shaped Westland bulges in 1:72 scale, so a particular aircraft can be faithfully built according to the maker of the airframe. It is a small change that lifts a model in the eyes of anyone who knows Spitfires.

The real subject

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V was the backbone of the RAF fighter force in 1941 and 1942. The Mk.Vc subversion received the so-called universal type C wing, which allowed various combinations of cannon and machine gun armament, and it was built in several plants in parallel. License-built aircraft from Westland were told apart precisely by the different shape of the cannon bulges on the upper surface of the wing, a detail that photographs of particular aircraft reliably give away.

Building and painting tips

Carefully pare the original bulges off the kit with a razor blade and sand the surface smooth. Once washed, fix the resin bulges with a drop of cyanoacrylate glue and, if needed, run a thin layer of filler over the transition. After the camouflage has been sprayed, a fine wash along the edges of the bulges brings the detail out.

Who the accessory is for

• For modelers who build a particular Westland-built aircraft from a photograph.
• For Spitfire experts who care about every detail of the airframe.
• For RAF builders in 1:72 scale looking for a small upgrade.

The accessory is supplied as unpainted resin castings and requires a base kit of the aircraft. Glue, paints and other accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.