Eduard's 1/48 scale
Spitfire Mk.IXc Late Version

by Brian Bourdon

This is Eduard’s 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk. IXc (late version) finished in the markings of No. 601 Squadron RAF circa July 1944. 

The cockpit consists of approximately 49 pieces and, once assembled, is suitably impressive.  The seat and Sutton harness, in particular, are well rendered.  The fit throughout is first rate and though I will admit that I dreaded tackling the photoetched canopy latch  – four tiny folds followed by the insanity of applying super glue in microscopic amounts – I still suffer the occasional nightmare – the result was worth the effort.  After I painted the interior, I added a few placards for interest sake.

I like Spitfires.  I just don’t like painting them.  Perhaps it’s the lack of variety.  Perhaps it’s how all of that drab paint ruins the lines of such an elegant design.  I don’t know.  And so, when I discovered that Eduard had included markings for a NMF Spit, I had to build it.  

Eduard suggests that this particular aircraft was ‘stripped’ of all camouflage with the exception of the cowl.  This raises a few questions.  Were the landing gears bays left in their original Medium Sea Grey, for instance?  And the cowl?  Was it Dark Sea Grey and Green?  Or was it Middle Stone and Earth?  The one and only photo I found on line was of little help.  

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In the end, I decided to trust in Eduard’s research and follow their directions with only a few very minor deviations.  The natural metal finish was produced using a mix of Vallejo Metal Color Aluminum/Duraluminum acrylic paints.  The rest, a combination of Model Master, Gunze and Tamiya.  And, finally, while I faithfully applied all (well, most of) the stencils, I think an argument can be made as to whether or not a poor harried erk in a war zone had time to do likewise. 

In conclusion, a fun build.  Easily, the nicest Eduard kit I’ve put together thus far.

Model and Text Copyright © 2021 by Brian Bourdon
Page Created 7 July, 2021
Last Updated 7 July, 2021

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