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Spitfire Mk.VIII

BarracudaCals, 1/72 scale

S u m m a r y :

Catalogue Numbers:

BarracudaCals Item No. BC72227 - Spitfire Mk.VIII Part 1

Scale:

1/72

Contents & Media

Decals for six subjects, colour-printed painting and markings guide, plus stencils for two airframes and stencil placement guide.

Price:

USD$10.95 plus shipping available online from Barracuda Studios.

 

£9.99 (£8.32 export price) plus shipping available online from Hannants (listed as future release with 10% discount for back orders).

Review Type:

First Look

Advantages:

Excellent production quality, attractive subject choices, and good value.

Disadvantages:

None noted.

Conclusions:

This is a superbly produced set of what in my opinion are some very attractive and interesting Spitfire MK.VIII schemes. I think they are good value, and it should come as no surprise then that I highly recommend them.


Reviewed by Mark Davies


Xtradecal's 1/72 scale Junkers Ju 87 B/K/R Stuka decals
are available online from Squadron.com

F i r s t L o o k

 

The Spitfire Mk. VIII is perhaps underrepresented and overlooked in comparison to the Spitfire MK.IX, not just because fewer were produced, but also possibly to its service mainly in the Mediterranean and Far East. Yet these theatres offer a variety of camouflage styles and markings that contrast with the generally uniform colours applicable to Mk.IX’s serving in Western Europe. I feel this observation certainly applies to the decals reviewed here.

BarracudaCals offers six interesting Spitfire Mk.VIII schemes to suit not just adherents of “The One True Scale” but also supplies the same markings in 1/48 and 1/32 scales. The title advises that this is Part 1, so we obviously have more Mk.VIII options to look forward to.

 

The Decals

The decals are supplied in BrarracudaCals’ usual zip-lock plastic bag with the folded instructions showing the six schemes in profile on the facing page. The instructions are nicely produced in colour, clearly indicate markings placement and use RAF paint names for the airframe colours (although an FS 595 number is given for one subject’s spinner colour).

 

  • BarracudaCals 1/72 Spitfire Mk.VIII Pt.1 Decal Review by Mark Davies: Image
  • BarracudaCals 1/72 Spitfire Mk.VIII Pt.1 Decal Review by Mark Davies: Image
  • BarracudaCals 1/72 Spitfire Mk.VIII Pt.1 Decal Review by Mark Davies: Image
  • BarracudaCals 1/72 Spitfire Mk.VIII Pt.1 Decal Review by Mark Davies: Image
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Each option has the aircraft details, unit, pilot’s name, location and timeframe recorded; as well as a written description of the paint scheme’s appearance and characteristics. This details such things as hard or soft camouflage demarcation lines, degree of wear, staining, paint dulling etc.

The notes also mention uncertainties regarding duplication of motifs on both fuselage sides, and the colour of personalized artwork. They advise which are the most likely markings based on photo interpretation and pilot recollection, but leave the modeller to choose from alternate decals covering both possibilities.

Other details concerning striping, over-painted national insignia and theatre markings are also listed. In one case, A58-517 of 79 Sqn RAAF, mention is made of how the same scheme has previously been incorrectly represented in different camouflage colours.

These notes serve to reinforce the amount of research that has obviously gone into this set, and acknowledgement is made of several individuals who contributed to this.

Each scheme is illustrated with a portside profile and upper and lower plan views, whilst white theatre band dimensions are provided for one of the SEAC schemes.

Black & white outline plans covers stencil placement, including bomb markings and even the inside of the cockpit access flap when open. Stencils sufficient for two airframes are supplied.

The subjects covered by this set are:

  • Spitfire Mk. VIII, Serial JF349 HL-K 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 15th Air Force, USAAF. Pilot - CO of 308th FS. Flown by Lt. Leland P. Molland. Castel Volturno, Italy. February, 1944.

  • Spitfire MK. VIII, MT982 UM-C 152 Squadron RAF. SEAC. Flown by Warrant Officer Eric Clegg. Sinthe Airstrip, Burma, 1945

  • Spitfire Mk. VIII, A58-517 (RAF serial MT594) UP-F 79 Squadron RAAF. Flown by Flt. Lt. Norman Turnbull (surname legally changed in August to Smithells). Based at Morotai, Indonesia, late spring, 1945.

  • Spitfire Mk. VIII, JF476 QJ-D 92 Squadron RAF. Desert Air Force. Pilot unknown. Based at Taranto, Italy. September, 1943.

  • Spitfire Mk. VIII, JF835 UM-T 152 Squadron RAF. SEAC. Flown by Flying Officer Paul “Gus” Ardeline. Sinthe Airstrip, Burma, 1945.

The instructions also invite the modeler to visit BarracudaCals’ web-site to download a larger version of the instructions from their website; which is a nice touch for old eyes like mine (I am advised by Roy Sutherland that the link will be in place upon his return from the US Nationals).

 

 

The decals themselves are superbly printed by Cartograf with excellent registration and colour density.

 

 

C o n c l u s i o n

 

This is a superbly produced set of what in my opinion are some very attractive and interesting Spitfire MK.VIII schemes. I think they are good value, and it should come as no surprise then that I highly recommend them.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to BarracudaCals for this sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 3 August, 2016
Last updated 3 August, 2016

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