1:32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb early

Xtradecal 1:32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb - early machines

A sheet of waterslide decals in 1:32 scale from the British manufacturer Xtradecal, intended for models of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb fighter in its early service form. The package is an accessory for a model under way or finished and contains no plastic parts.

The real subject

The Spitfire Mk.V was the most numerously produced version of this British single-seat fighter. It was powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 series V12 engine, and the Vb designation refers to the B-type wing with mixed cannon and machine gun armament. The version went through a long period of service and its early and later machines differed in a number of external features and in the form of their markings as well, which is also why Xtradecal offers separate sheets for the two periods.

Application tips

On sheets for older aircraft there tends to be a wide margin of carrier film around the printed motif. It is worth trimming it back as close to the print as possible with a new scalpel blade before soaking, because the less clear film is left on the model, the less its glossy outline shows once dry. Cut on a hard surface in one pass, as dragging the blade will tear the film. On round markings it has proved best to cut out a ring about half a millimeter from the print; on lettering a straight trim along the text is enough. Trimmed items also settle better, because a smaller area of film offers less resistance. Once they are applied and dry, seal the decals with a varnish that hides the residual margin entirely.

Who the sheet is for

• modelers of British fighters in a large scale
• builders who want to capture the early service form of the Mk.Vb version
• anyone interested in an alternative to the markings from the box
• modelers willing to spend time on trimming the film precisely

The package contains decals only. The kit, paints, glue and varnishes are not included, unless stated otherwise.