Post War RAF Spitfires

Freightdog Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Andrew Steinbeck

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com
 

Freightdog Models newest high quality decal release focuses on late Merlin and Griffon engine Spitfires.  The decals may be used on any 1/72 scale kit but their release neatly coincides with the new Airfix Mk. IX and PR Mk.19 kits.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

The decals are superbly printed by Fantasy Printshop, are in perfect register and feature separate roundel centres, unit badges and code outlines where appropriate.  The carrier film is ultra thin and my experience with these decals is that they will snuggle down into the surface detail well.  The carrier film then totally disappears under a coat of clear.  The instruction sheet is printed in colour and gives required colours (with cross-reference) and clear indication for decal placement.

The ten schemes provided in this sheet are as follows:

1. Spitfire Mk.21 LA329, RAG-J, 600 (County of London) Squadron RAuxAF, RAF Biggin Hill, 1947. Day fighter camouflage scheme of Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey, yellow wing leading edges and Sky rear fuselage band, with a red spinner.

2. Spitfire PR Mk.XI PL915, C Flight, Mediterranean and Middle East Communications Squadron, Heliopolis, 1946. Overall natural metal with black anti-glare and wing leading edges. Natural metal spinner with white back plate

3. Spitfire Mk. IXc PV119, RG-Q, 208 Sqn, Palestine, late 1946. Overall High Speed Silver finish with a black anti-glare panel and red spinner cap and metal back plate.

4. Spitfire Mk.IXc RK917, 'DB', flown by Group Captain Douglas Bader in the Battle of Britain Flypast of September 1945. Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey, with a black spinner.

5. Spitfire PR.19 PM574, 81 Sqn, RAF Changi, 1947. Highly polished natural metal finish with a PRU Blue spinner.

6. Spitfire PR.19 PM655, 6C-W, Photographic Development Unit, RAF Benson, 1948. Overall PRU Blue finish with a natural metal spinner.

7. Spitfire PR.19 PS934, R-WY, 541 Sqn, RAF Benson, 1948. Overall PRU Blue finish.

8. Spitfire Mk. IXc PV120, RG-W, 208 Sqn, Palestine, 1945. Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Light Mediterranean Blue, with a black spinner.

9. Spitfire Mk. XVIe TB287, 8W-K, 612 (County of Aberdeen) Sqn, RAuxAF, 1950. Overall High Speed Silver finish with a red spinner. Day fighter scheme replacement rudder.

10. Spitfire Mk. IXc ML124, GZ-S, 32 Sqn, Palestine, January 1947. Overall High Speed Silver finish with a black anti-glare panel and red spinner cap and natural metal back plate. Day Fighter scheme replacement starboard wingtip.