Spitfire Story - The Sweeps
Spitfire Mk.Vb

Eduard Limited Edition Dual Combo
1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Like its nemesis the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F, 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.

Spitfire Mk.Vb Early and Late Typical Characteristics

The following list of early and late Spitfire Mk.Vb characteristics is neither exhaustive nor universally standardised, but it gives an idea of the typical differences across the variants and production practices.

Early Version

• Rotol spinner – blunt, broad-based spinner was common.

• External armoured windscreen panel – a visible flat armour plate bolted ahead of the windscreen glazing.

• Fabric-covered ailerons on initial production batches, often retrofitted with metal skinned ailerons.

• Flat canopy hood (no bulged sides).

• Early-style gun heating vents and cannon fairings.

• Coffman starter bulge absent on some very early aircraft.

• Standard exhaust stacks, typically the round ejector type.

Late Version

• Internal armoured windscreen (external panel deleted).

• Metal ailerons.

• Bulged canopy hood improving pilot headroom and rearward vision.

• Coffman starter blister more consistently present.

• Clipped wingtips on LF (Low Altitude) variants.

• Tropical filter options:

  • Vokes filter

  • Aboukir filter (often field-fitted in the Middle East)

• Fishtail exhaust stacks increasingly common.

• Greater variation in aerial masts and IFF fit.

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

Eduard launched their small scale Spitfire family last year with a standalone 1/72 scale early version Spitfire Mk.Vb.

The latest edition to that family is a Limited Edition, Dual Combo boxing entitled "Spitfire Story - The Sweeps". As well as the early version Spitfire Vb in the initial release, this box includes another Spitfire landmark in 1/72 scale - the late version Spitfire Mk. Vb.

Eduard's small scale Spitfire debut, the Mk.Vb Early, comprises around 440 parts in grey plastic (128 parts marked not for use, 48 parts in clear plastic (ten marked not for use), two colour photo-etched fret and marking options for eleven aircraft; instructions. Also keep in mind that many other parts are optional, further reducing the actual parts count.

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Thumbnail panels:

The biggest difference between the original early version and this Dual Combo boxing is the inclusion of an all-new late-version fuselage. This mainly caters for the internal armoured windscreen - easily the most obvious characteristic of the late version Spitfire Mk.Vb.

As you remove the sprues from their bags you will note the exquisitely subtle and crisp surface textures. Recessed panel lines, rows of rivets and shrewdly executed fasteners. The photos do not quite do justice to the subtlty of the textures.

The two fuselages are contained on Sprues K (early version) and L (late version), with the wings on Sprues E (lower wing half) and Sprue G (upper wing halves). The fuselage halves on Sprue G represent the earlier Mk.Vb with the external armoured windscreen glass.

The recessed area at the front of the opening for the windscreen on this fuselage is deeper than the later versions too.

Next we have the wings.

The wings capture the specific attributes of the Mk.Vb cannon bulges and the arrangement of several panel lines and hatches.

This is really nice attention to detail.

Sprues M and N are generic grey plastic parts. These look to be common for any of Eduard's future 1/72 scale Spitfire Mk.I to V with many options related to control surfaces, exhausts, propellers, undercarriage and much more.

I was particularly pleased to see that the sprues contain the Vokes and Aboukir tropical filters, although they are not used for any of the eleven marking options on the kit decal sheet.

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 and the rudder are separate, while the flaps are moulded closed. The elevators are moulded with the horizontal stabilisers in the neutral position. A choice of fabric or metal skinned ailerons is offered.

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 genorous eleven subjects.

These are:

• W3457, F/O James E. Johnson, No. 616 Squadron, RAF Tangmere, the United Kingdom, August 194

• W3817, S/Ldr Richard M. Milne, No. 92 squadron, RAF Gravessend, the United Kingdom, August-December 1941

• BL973, F/Lt Stanislav Fejfar, No. 313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, the United Kingdom, March-May 1942

• BM124, S/Ldr Brendan E. F. Finnucane, CO of No. 602 Squadron, RAF Kenley, United Kingdom, April 1942

• BM324, F/Lt Bernard Dupérier (Baron Léon Sternberg de Armella), No. 340 (Free French) Squadron, RAF Westhampnett, West Sussex, the United Kingdom, July 1942

• BM564, P/O André M. A. F. Plisnier, No. 350 (Belgium) Squadron, RAF Redhill, Surrey, United Kingdom, summer - fall 1942

• EN951, S/Ldr Jan Zumbach, CO of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, RAF Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, September 1942

• EN824, F/Lt John Yarra, No. 453 Squadron RAAF, RAF Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom, December 1942

• W3518, S/Ldr Count Franz F. Colloredo-Mansfeld, CO of No. 132 Squadron, RAF Newchurch, Kent, United Kingdom, September 1943

• EN921, F/O Jackson E. Sheppard, No. 401 Squadron RCAF, RAF Biggin Hill, United Kingdom, October 1943

• EP829, S/Ldr John J. Lynch, No. 249 Squadron, Krendi, Malta, May 1943

Stencil markings are supplied on a separate decal sheet.

Instrument dial decals, harness straps and red leading edge machine gun patches are on the decal sheet too.

Eduard has now added the late version 1/72 scale Spitfire Vb to the early version in the one box.

Eduard’s 1/72 scale Spitfire Mk.Vb 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 the 1/48 scale ProfiPACK versions of Eduard Spitfires including the Vc and can confirm that they are a pleasure to put together. I have no reason to believe that the experience will be any less pleasurable in the smaller scale.

The inclusion of photo-etched parts and masks just adds to the appeal..

Eduard’s 1:48 scale Spitfire family has been an instant classic since their initial Mk.IX release. This1/72 scale Mk.Vb Dual Combo maintains that high standard.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 23 December, 2025
Last updated 3 March, 2026

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