Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII RAF, RCAF & SAAFs

Xtradecal, 1/72 & 1/48 scales

Reviewed by Mark Davies

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

The Spitfire Mk.VIII is most associated with the Mediterranean and South East Asian theatres of operation. As a result a variety of colours and markings were worn by this version, giving the Spitfire buff some options other than the more commonly encountered temperate European scheme.

1/72 Scale Decals – X72177

The aircraft covered by this sheet are from RAF, RCAF and SAAF squadrons. Several types of camouflage are covered, along with extended wingtip high-altitude versions, and some early examples with the original rounded rudder tip.

The subjects covered on the 1:72 scale sheet are:

• JF476, QJ-D 92 Sqn Sicily 1943;

• JF447, UF-7 601 Sqn County of London Sqn Italy 1943;

• MT928, ZX-M 145 Sqn Italy 1945;

• JF679, AN-J 417 RCAF Sqn Italy 1944;

• JF322, AX-B 'Billy Boy II' 1 Sqn SAAF;

• MT648, QJ-Q 92 Sqn Italy 1945;

• MT714, FT-F 43 Sqn St. Tropez 1944;

• MD324, W-R 615 Sqn India 1944;

• JG534, AF-Z 607 Sqn Mingaladon flown by Flt.Lt Donald Nicholson on the Sqn's final sortie;

• MT982, UM-C 152 Sqn CO Sqn.Ldr Kerr Singapore 1945;

• MT567, HM-B 136 Sqn Cocos Is 1945;

• JF404, GZ-M Foggia 1944.

1:48 Scale Subjects – X48129

This is a subset of the 1:72 scale subjects above. These are included on he 1:48 scale decal set:

• JF404 GZ-M 32 Sqn Italy 1944;

• JF476 QL-D 92 Sqn Sicily 1943;

• JF447 UF-7 601 'County of London' Sqn Italy 1943;

• T928 Z-M 145 Sqn Italy 1945;

• 322 AX-B ;Billy Bou II' 1 Sqn SAAF 1944;

• MT714 FT-F 43 Sqn St Tropez 1944;

• MT982 UM-C 152 Sqn CO Sqn.Ldr Kerr Singapore 1945;

• MD324 KW-R 615 Sqn India 1944

Both releases are supplied in Xtradecal’s usual A5 window envelope. The instructions are nicely produced in colour and clearly indicate camouflage patterns and markings placement.

A brief written description of the paint scheme is given for each subject, along with various notes regarding unit, pilot and other points of interest. In some cases there are comments on areas of slight uncertainty regarding colours. This is a most welcome approach, as it points the modeller in the right direction to do further research if they so choose.

• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

Paint references use RAF paint names and not surprisingly include Xtracolour and Xtracrylix paint codes.
The decals look to be superbly printed and with excellent colour density.  It’s pleasing that Xtradecal have provided national insignia sufficient for all of the subjects covered.

This is a superbly produced set of some attractive and interesting schemes. Definitely recommended.

Recommended.

Thanks to Hannants for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 24 September, 2013
Last updated 24 September, 2013

Back to HyperScale Main Page