Denford

The widened fuselage, wouldn't per se, require an increased span. I was fortunate to see the only existing example while under restoration with the wing - a single item - to one side and carefully supported. At the time of 'undercarriage incorporation' the type was still very much under development and so probably easier to increase the span to accomodate the wider fuselage. A note to any manufacturer who plans to tool a new 234. Make the wing a single piece rather than have two butt joined halves....

While still 'live' is there any indication/information of the colour of the engine intakes?

No worries. The a/c couldn't possibly have been coded P1+SY. As part of KG76 it would have been F1+?? I've never been able to understand the coding of machines but I think the next letter was the squadron followed by the individual aircraft letter. C's would probably have been a separate squadron with a new and unused letter and the 6th machine perhaps F. Or maybe the war ended before the identifications could be applied.....

Is it possible to 'ascertain' the colors (and sizes) used for 'P1+SY ? I realize I have the same (excellent) book ! What is the page number ? I have only Page no 147 showing the same a/c: captioned as P1+SY but with the photo showing an unmarked rear starboard fuselage !

Do the clear sprues have the bulged rear windows as fitted to FAA aircraft ?

It's hard to see to 'accurately' through the canopy, but there appears to be a second crew member seated behind the pilot. Only aircraft modified for FAA service had this: otherwise the other 2 crew members were at the rear. Curiously Hasegawa have this 'feature' too.

'Logically' 1/72 Spitfires should continue into V series and later. Did mention at Telford not to forget that Spitfires sent to North Africa had enlarged Main Radiator (also used on Xll) Oil cooler and (often missed out by 'others') Oil Tank. Quite noticeable with Aboukier filter.

Beautiful and thanks for posting. However a little wear in the cockpit and especially the seat would not come amiss.

I know not strictly relating to the kit review as such, though perhaps a good place to ask. Can anyone explain the function of the small, streamlined, object, slightly offset and about under the rear - gunner's feet?

Sorry to be a 'wet blanket' but 'The Sound Barrier' is the title of a film and nothing more. Glad to hear 'one of ours' was first past Mach 1.

To be-labor a point previously made here and elsewhere - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ARMORED WINDSCREEN / WINDSHIELD. What is actually used is laminated glass. That is plain, ordinary sheet glass with a plastic interlayer: Saflex® from Monsanto or Butacite® from DuPont. I worked many years for the former (they even pay me a pension though they no longer exist) and for a brief period with the latter. The interlayer is a tough plastic sheet that adheres well to glass - the number and thickness of the layers of plastic and of glass is up to the glazier. Tough though not entirely impermeable if enough 'force' is used. There's a rather grim picture of a B-17 windshield that had received a direct hit that had penetrated and decapitated a crew member. More lucky was the crew member behind the windscreen of a Mosquito that can be seen at the de Havilland Heritage Centre. This has, I think, 5 layers of glass and 4 of interlayer. Incidentally it's difficult, though not impossible, to make laminations that aren't flat and these are (or were when I was involved) limited to Glass/Interlayer/Glass ie a single interlayer.

It also has a wing devoid of armament that the 2 seater has ......

Difficult to see, but hope they have 'recognized' that V's for tropical service had an enlarged Radiator, Oil Cooler and Oil Tank. The former 2 were later used on Xll

Lovely build. What is the serial number ?

There was a posting (many years back) which held that only Trumpeter had the correct length main undercarriage ! But it should be remembered that length of any undercarriage is dependent on the load it is supporting.