Airfix - 1/24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII - RAAF A58-606 Grey Nurse Sqn

SKU: AIR17002

$199.00

Pre-order - Released 30 November 2024

Pre-Order Item - Final release date TBA - Expected 4th Qtr 2024

Product Details
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Description

Airfix
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII
w/RAAF 457 Sqn Markings

Estimated Ship Date 4th Quarter 2024!

Available for the first time ever, a 1/24 scale Spitfire Mk. VIII complete with Australian Markings.

This new super-kit features several new parts to enable the accurate creation of a Mk.VIII, using the 2022 release of the Spitfire Mk.IX.c as the base kit.

The new parts include;

Upper and lower wing surface, including leading edge fuel tanks and gun camera position.
Short span ailerons
Retractable tailwheel section
Revised instrument panel
Repositioned fuselage light

The Spitfire VIII
The Spitfire's design was remarkably adaptable, allowing it to be upgraded throughout WWII. Initially deployed in 1938, it faced a significant challenge in 1941 from the superior Focke Wulf Fw190. Although a new variant, the Mk.VIII, was in development, it wasn't ready for production. Instead, the hybrid Mk.IX was introduced as a stop-gap solution and proved highly effective against the Fw190. The Mk.VIII, once produced, featured advancements like a strengthened fuselage, retractable tail wheel, and new rudder, and it was used primarily by overseas RAF and RAAF units. Pilots often considered the Mk.VIII the best version of the Spitfire.

"Grey Nurse" Sqn
No. 457 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force became known as ‘Grey Nurse Squadron’ after repainting their newly arrived Spitfire Mk.VIII with distinctive shark mouths. Originally tasked with the air defence of Darwin, the squadron was soon moved northwards to Morotai and eventually Labuan to primarily conduct ground attack missions against the Japanese forces. The aircraft portrayed is that of 457’s commanding officer, Sqn. Ldr. Bruce Watson DFC.

Included Markings:

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, Sqn Ldr Bruce Watson, No. 457 ‘Grey Nurse’ Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Morotai, 1945. (A)
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, No. 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron, Sinthe, Burma, 1945. (B)
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, USAAF, Italy 1944. (C)