Spitfires Over India

Iliad Design, 1/48 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	Iliad Design Item No. 48028 - Spitfires Over India
Scale:	1/48
Contents & Media	Decals for six subjects with a colour-printed painting and markings guide.
Price:	Available online from Iliad Design for Can$12.00 and Hannants for £9.60. Click here for currency conversion.
Review Type:	First Look.
Advantages:	Great production quality with six interesting schemes to chose AND decals provided for all six options.
Disadvantages:	None apparent.
Conclusions:	Very well produced decals for an attractive alternative for a variety of Spitfire marks.

Reviewed by Mick Drover

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

Iliad Decals' latest 1/48 scale release comes in the form of a variety of both Merlin and Griffin powered Spitfires that served with the Indian Air Force or operated in India. Six marking options are supplied which are broken down as follows.

1. Spitfire LF VIII, MT703 of 607 Sqn., Imphal, India, May 1944.

2. Spitfire LF VIII of Wg CD-R Frank Carey, AFTU, Amarda Road, India, April-Nov., 1944.

3. Spitfire LF VIIIc, No 3 (Indian) Group Communications Flight, 1946.

4. Spitfire FR XIVe, of SFTS, RIAF Ambala, India.

5. Spitfire FR XIVe, NH861, 8 Sqn, RIAF, 1947.

6. Spitfire Mk XVIII, A.F.S. Ambala

The variety of camouflage scheme is also interesting with the the standard SEAC dark green/dark earth over medium sea grey on three of the aircraft being the main flavour of the schemes. However it’s the variety of the other three schemes that provides the interest in the sheet.

One of the LF VIII’s feature a single all over dark green upper and light blue lower with a fuselage length red lightning bolt which is very striking. Another LF, this time a VIIIc, is provided in overall natural metal.

The final airframe, a MkXVIII is finished in the traditional temperate scheme of dark green/ocean grey over medium sea grey. The unique thing about this airframe is the very striking the independence ‘Chakra’ roundels provides for the upper and lower wings and fuselage positions.

This is a welcome decal sheet from Iliad that provides an alternative to the mainstream popular markings. Odd ball markings can be a breath of fresh air when it comes to Spitfire and to the benefit of the builder can lead you into some interesting research on the subject. This sheet from Iliad falls squarely in that category.

Recommended.

Thanks to Iliad Decals for these samples.

Text and Images Copyright © 2015 by Mick Drover
Page Created 22 February, 2015
Last updated 22 February, 2015

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