Spitfire Story: Southern Star
Spitfire Mk.Vb trop and Vc trop

Eduard Limited Edition Dual Combo
1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard first offered their Spitfire Mk.V kits in their Dual Combo Limited Edition "Eagles Call" boxing.

The Mk.Vb is now making a return appearance in the next instalment of Eduard's Spitfire Story, this time labelled "Southern Star".

Two models may be built from the box – one Spitfire Mk.Vb trop and one Spitfire Mk.Vc trop. In keeping with the" Southern Starl" theme, the ten marking options cover Spitfires in service in the Pacific, North African and Malta fronts.

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

The Spitfire Mk.Vb comprises 231 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. Two 3D printed modified wing tips are also offered for two of the marking options.

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.

The plastic sprues are the same as those in the Eagles Call boxing except for the omission of Sprue C, which represents the earlier production Mk.Vb.

The wheel wells and undercarriage parts are really well detailed.

Unique to this release is a set of modified, slightly shortened wing tips.

These apply to two of the Spitfire Mk.Vb trop marking options.

The wing tips are 3D printed. This is another example of Eduard's attention to detail. I don't recall seeing these interesting wing tips before.

The two fuselages are Sprue D. 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 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).

Sprue T 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 - P, R and S - in earlier Eduard Spitfire Mk.I and Mk.II releases.

Detail

Eduard combines plastic and colour photo-etched parts in this Limited Edition 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.

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 ten subjects. In keeping with the American “Eagle’s Call” theme, the ten marking options cover Spitfires in service in the Pacific, North African and Malta fronts

A big selection of schemes are offered.

The unique and national markings are supplied on two decal sheets.

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 including the Vc 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 these Mk.Vs maintain the high standard.

Purchased by the reviewer.

Review Text Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 28 February, 2022
Last updated 26 May, 2022

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