Eagle's Call
Spitfire Mk.Vb and Vc

Eduard Limited Edition Dual Combo
1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Late in 1940, the RAF predicted that the advent of the pressurised Junkers Ju 86 P bomber series over Britain would be the start of a new sustained high altitude bombing offensive by the Luftwaffe, in which case development was put in hand for a pressurised version of the Spitfire, with a new version of the Merlin (the Mk VI). It would take some time to develop the new fighter and an emergency stop-gap measure was needed as soon as possible. This was the Mk V.

The basic Mk.V was a Mk.I with the Merlin 45 series engine. This engine delivered 1,440 hp (1,074 kW) at take-off and incorporated a new single-speed single-stage supercharger design. Improvements to the carburettor also allowed the Spitfire to use zero gravity manoeuvres without any problems with fuel flow.

Several Mk.I and Mk.II airframes were converted to Mk.V standard by Supermarine and started equipping fighter units from early 1941.

The majority of the Mk.Vs were built at Castle Bromwich. Three versions of the Mk.V were produced, with several sub-series.

The Vb became the main production version of the Mark Vs. Along with the new Merlin 45 series the B wing was fitted as standard. 

The Spitfire Mk.Vc was the first of this famous breed to use the so-called "universal" C wing.

The C wing could be fitted with up to four 20mm cannon or eight machine guns, but the most typical fitout was two 20mm cannon and four .303 machine guns.

This is the first time that Eduard has offered a Spitfire Mk.V.

They have chosen to launch this variant as a 1:48 scale Limited Edition, Dual Combo boxing allowing you to build two models – one Spitfire Mk.Vb and one Spitfire Mk.Vc. In keeping with the "Eagle's Call" theme, the 12 marking options are all either American pilots in RAF Squadrons, or USAAF Spitfires.

This kit answers many questions raised by Eduard’s earlier Spitfire Mk.I and Mk.IIb releases. Perhaps the most intriguing of these was whether the wing of Eduard’s Spitfire Mk.Vb would be identical to the wing on their Mk.IIb.

The short answer is no. The upper wings are the same but the shape of the blister and other details on the lower wings are different on the IIb and Vb sprues.

Eduard has clearly done their homework with the Mk.V, deftly navigating a minefield of features and options.

Let’s take a look at this Limited Edition offering in detail.

Eduard’s 1:48 scale “Eagle’s Call” package provides two kits and the instructions deal with them separately.

The Spitfire Mk.Vb comprises 233 parts in grey plastic, 21 parts in clear plastic, a colour photo-etched fret and a die-cut, self-adhesive masking sheet. 112 parts are marked “not for use” while others are optional, further reducing the actual parts count.

The Spitfire Mk.Vc comprises 230 parts in grey plastic, 21 parts in clear plastic, a colour photo-etched fret and a die-cut, self-adhesive masking sheet. Once again, the actual number of parts used is much lower than these numbers suggest as 121 parts are marked not for use. Your spares box will thank you after this one.

Three fuselage sprues are supplied. One of these is Sprue C, which we have seen before in a number of Eduard's eralier Spitfire Mk.I and Mk.II releases.

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Thumbnail panels:

This fuselage accommodates the external armoured glass fitted to the front of the windscreen. This may be seen by the recessed area at the front of the opening for the windscreen. It is also moulded with a slightly raised cover over the armoured fuel tank.

The other two fuselages are two Sprue Ds. Sprue D represents the later Mk.V with the internal armoured windscreen glass.

There is a raised fillet moulded to the fuselage just below and on either side of the windscreen.

The recessed area at the front of the opening for the windscreen is shallower on this fuselage too.

Next we have the wings. The wing sprue for the Mk.Vb is labelled differently for the upper and lower wings – Sprue L for the upper wings and Sprue M for the lower.

Sprue L, the upper wing halves, are the same as the upper wings included with Eduard’s previous Mk.IIb releases.

Sprue M is brand new, and differs from the previous Mk.IIb lower wing in the shape of the cannon bulges and the arrangement of several panel lines and hatches.

This is really nice attention to detail.

For comparison, here (below) is the lower wing sprue from the Mk.IIb kit. Note the subtle differences - the more symmetrical bulge shape and the different hatches and panel lines.

The C wing is brand new for this release. These parts are attached to Sprue N.

The upper wing halves feature separate access panels that permit one of three optional covers to be fitted.

The full span lower wing includes flashed-over ejection chute openings for the outboard pair of cannon (if they are fitted).

Also new for this kit is Sprue T. This contains a wealth of unique and optional parts for the Spitfire Mk.Vb and Vc.

These include:

• Three styles of upper wing cannon bulges

• Two styles of Aboukir tropical filter lower cowling

• Vokes filter

• Three styles of carburettor intake rear sections

• 90 gallon slipper tank

• Three styles of cannon barrel fairings

• Two 250lb bombs with racks and sway braces

• Small teardrop blisters for upper wings on Malta-based and perhaps some other specific aircraft. Check your references carefully for these.

We’ve seen the remaining sprues - M, P, R and S - in earlier Eduard Spitfire Mk.I and Mk.II releases but a few parts from Sprue M will be relevant options for the first time on the Mk.V.

These include the six-stack exhausts, sometimes retrofitted to reconditioned "clipped, cropped and clapped" LF.Mk.Vbs, and the 30 gallon slipper tank that was frequently used in the Mediterranean and Pacific theatres.

Detail

Eduard combines plastic and colour photo-etched parts in this ProfiPACK kit, delivering a high level of detail straight from the box. The cockpit benefits most from the photo-etch with a nice multi-layered instrument panel, coloured harness straps and scale-thickness pilot's armour.

Two varieties of colour photo-etched instrument panels are offered. A plastic panel with raised bezels and a decal instrument dial layover is also included.

The wheel wells and undercarriage parts are really well detailed.

Engineering and Options

The kit is broken down conventionally. The fuselage is full-length with the only insert being the forward wing root.

The lower cowl is separate too.

Ailerons, elevators and the rudder are all separate, while the flaps are moulded closed. This is another sensible decision, as the flaps were rarely seen dropped at any time other than on final approach to landing. All flying control surfaces depict fabric covering.

The elevators are moulded as a matched pair, joined in the middle with a plastic connector. This will ensure that the droop (or otherwise) is consistent when the elevators are glued in place.

The canopy side door is a separate part, with the option of posing the door open or closed.

The clear parts are free from distortion and quite thin.

The closed canopy options comprises a combined sliding section and rear section, while the open canopy supplies a separate sliding section to sit over the rear clear part.

Markings

Markings are supplied for a generous twelve subjects. In keeping with the American “Eagle’s Call” theme, all 12 options are either American pilots or USAAF Spitfires.

A big selection of schemes are offered – day fighter, tropical and even Malta.

The unique and national markings are supplied on one big decal sheet.

Two smaller sheets provide the stencil markings.

Like its nemesis the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G, the Spitfire Mk.V was a pastiche of proven formula and makeshift improvisation until later, more powerful and standardised versions became available.

Despite its stop-gap heritage, the Spitfire Mk.V served with more than 140 RAF Squadrons and took the air war to the skies beyond Europe. The Mk.V was the first Spitfire to see combat over the Western Desert, the Mediterranean, the Soviet Union, the Indian sub-continent, the Pacific and more.

4,489 Spitfire Mk.Vs rolled off the production lines.

Eduard has lavished well-deserved attention on this vital workhorse.

Eduard’s 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk.Vb and Vc kits are beautifully detailed, accurate, boast lovely fine surface textures and offer most of the options that you will ever need for this sometimes complicated subject.

I have built a number of these Eduard Spitfires and can confirm that they are a pleasure to put together too.

Eduard’s 1:48 scale Spitfire family has been an instant classic since their initial Mk.IX release and this Mk.V maintains the high standard.

Purchased by the reviewer.

Review Text Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 12 August, 2021
Last updated 14 August, 2021

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