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Last year on one of the model shows I was given revell set of spitfire Vb and Bf109 G10 in 1:72. I would not buy this set myself, as I've seen how many errors are in those two kits. First I wanted to sell them but I noticed that this two pack is more expensive than those two models when bought alone. Sigh. Model landed in back of the stash for some time. But after building first Spitfire Vb by revell this year and noticing that you can, indeed turn it into a decent model I started thinking about doing something with that other duopack. And then I found good images of Spitfire MkVb DB605 aka Messerspit. It was captured Spitfire Mark Vb (EN830/NX-X) that accidentally landed on the Channel island of Jersey on 18th November 1942. It was taken to Rechlin, Germany within a month of its capture. After some testing Germans decided to remove Merlin 45 and replace it with a Daimler-Benz DB 605A, a propeller and carburettor scoop from a Messerschmitt Bf 109G was fitted as well. Also its 12 volt electrical system was replaced with the Luftwaffe's 24 volt one. The original guns of the Spitfire Vb was removed as well According to multiple test pilots this hybrid plane turned out to be better than both Spitfire MkV and Bf109 G, joining strong sides of both planes while eliminating some of their problems. If I knew how much work it would be I would probably just get Brengun model... Especially as Revell propeller for Bf109 is completely crap (I guess molds are completely worn out by now) - each blade has different shape and length So I would have to buy new one (possibly Eduard printed one). But, instead I started work on revell plastic by removing engine from Spit and attaching new one from Messerschmit. It indeed fit well, having same width as spitfire hull but I found out I had to build entire upper part of cowling and fill the intake on the under side of it. Then I built cockpit with spare Eduard frame and plasticard floor, I also found 3d model of spitfire seat and printed it. Seat belts are from eduard set. I used front part of canopy from kit, but I decided to use another piece from Eduard for the back and movable part - as I plan to build my Eduard spits with open cockpit I have spare closed canopies from multiple models. So I cut one of them and tried to place it on this model. The fit is... not great. I had to thin parts of movable section as well as cut into the hull to fit it and even then I got small crack on the glass... But still it is better than Revell's foggy and scratched offering. With cockpit done I was finally able to join flusage halves, wings and attach engine. It obviously turned out not fitting that well but lot of fitting, gluing, puttying, sanding and polishing later, the result look like this:

Here's another model I finished today, one of my many Spitfires. Looks like this one fell into the wrong hands, that or the paintshop guys are the world's worst (or perhaps best) spies

As my mark of respect to Edgar Brooks , a member who i did not know , but one who has given so much to our hobby i give you the Spitscmitt aka the Messerspit. I hope the name "Spitshmitt puts the emphasize on the Spitfire componant rather than the DB605 bit. This is my first build after my Tamiya extra thin cement / P47 disaster in the P47 group build , so looking forward to tucing into the plastic and resin. Got this kit of a b.m member a few yers ago with plans to do this conversion. I have used a Fusion conversion before on a Ta 152 to do the short winged type and found it to be some of the best resin i had seeen and this one at first inspection looks to be as good .Does not come with decals now so they have to be found but an Australian company called Jays models now sell them on ebay. The history of this aircraft in Luftwaffe hands started when it forced landed into a field of turnips on the Chanel Islands. Have got a Quic boost seats with straps as i cant get on with etch belts and the paper ones in this scale are just too fiddly for me towork with. Found a good guide on how to paint them on Barracuda studios site so looking forward to this stage of construction before i forget , the kit bits in the box. Will make a start later today . Alistair

Hi, folks! This is my next model. The "Brengun" firm released the captured Spitfire Mk.Vb, which the specialists of the Daimler-Benz installed they own engine DB605A. The model is based on the old model of "Azmodel." Plastic is typical "shortrun" with small set of photoetched parts.

Brengun (http://www.brengun.cz/) is to release a 1/72nd Messerspit Mk.V kit - ref.BRP72010. Source: http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=15269 Box art V.P.