Longest day Spitfire
D-Day is greatly celebrated this summer and we also have the pleasure to see products dedicated to this great historic event. The product we have here is the Eduard special edition for D-Day, the Spitfire Mk. IX. The British fighter plane Spitfire Mk.IX 1/48 in a Limited Edition related to D-Day fighter support to invasion troops in June 1944. The kit allows the builder to build either Mk.IXc late or Mk.IXe variant and this particular kit has the stock number 1191. It come in a nicely designed cardboard box and inside is six frets of plastic parts, two sheet with decals (one covers airplane stencils), photo etched sets with painted elements, protective mask for canopy and wheels and additional resin 500lbs bomb with bomb rack.
Decals are from Cartograf and they provide options to build following kits subjects:
Spitfire Mk.IXc, ML214, No. 126 Squadron RAF, Harrowbeer Air Base, June 6, 1944
Spitfire Mk.IXc, MK924, Flown by F/Sgt Michal Murayda, No. 302 Squadron, Chailey, June, 1944
Spitfire Mk.IXc, MK892, Flown by F/Lt. C. H. Lazenby, No. 222 Squadron RAF, Normandy, June 10, 1944
Spitfire LF Mk.IXe, PL124, No. 312 Squadron RAF, June, 1944
Spitfire Mk.IXc, MH819, No. 310 Squadron, Appledram Air Base, Mid June, 1944
Eduard initially released this kit of the Spitfire last year and it became a big hit among the modelers. No matter of a bit larger numbers of parts, the kit is easy to build but it can not be recommended to the very beginners, some skill is important for this kit. The Spitfire is specific in the absence of a cockpit floor and the manufacturer did great job in representing the cockpit interior. Main interior color is Grey Green with small elements in other colors.
During the assembly much time is needed to assemble the cockpit and the rest goes much faster. Important to notice is that parts are a great fit, simply no problem to set them in position or merge together. Result is a very smooth and relaxed build with almost no filler used. Some sections have to be made as subassemblies and after painting to be placed on the kit in the final step. The propeller as well as the main wheels are those who need to be completed in this way. Main camouflage of all samples provided in kit are bottom in Medium Sea Grey and top side in Dark Green and Ocean Grey. Special markings on all samples present invasion black and white stripes. It is interesting that they are different style on each sample inside.
Eduard did a great job with this kit. The same kit is great for build and provided markings are also excellent choice and well researched! I am sure you will enjoy this kit if you get a sample. Great thanks to Eduard for sample kit!!!
Srecko Bradic
