maltadefender Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Kit was delayed by snowfall. Now it's arrived: This will be a straight-from-the-box build. None of your fancy Dan extras here, thank you please. Only two squadrons ever operated the Mk.XII - 41 and 91 - and both are included in the markings provided. I shall be attempting to make a passable job of the 41 Squadron markings, partly because it was commanded by my big hero Tom Neil at the time, and also because I have the very smart half-pint mug featuring the box art with this model. Anyway, as you were... history to follow. And maybe some building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Here's a photo of 41 Squadron in late Spring/early Summer 1943, with Tom Neil on the left: The Spitfire Mk XII was a rare bird - only 100 were built and only 41 Squadron and 91 Squadron were equipped with the type. Early models featured a standard Spitfire VC airframe but subsequent aircraft utilized the Spitfire VIII fuselage which incorporated such refinements as flush rivetting and a retractable tail wheel. All models were fitted with the broad chord rudder of the Spitfire VIII and were modified to take a Griffon III engine with a four-blade Rotol propeller, rotating clockwise - the reverse of the Merlin. The universal wing of the Spitfire V was fitted, with clipped wings improved manoeuvrability. Compared to the Merlin-engined types the bulge over the cannon feed on the mainplane was much smaller, the rudder and trimming tabs were larger, and, of course, the engine cowlings and spinner differed considerably. The XII was originally conceived to defend southern Britain against low-flying Jabo nuisance raiders, being able to use the Griffon's extra grunt to haul in the Fw190s and the clipped wings to outmanoeuvre them. They excelled at this role, but soon the XII was also operating offensively. In June 1943 both 41 Squadron and 91 Squadron moved to Westhampnett, the satellite field of Tangmere which is today better known as Goodwood. They became the Tangmere Spitfire XII Wing, primarily engaged in Ramrods - escorting USAAF Flying Fortresses, Mitchells and Marauders, as well as RAF Typhoons, to attack targets in France such as the marshalling yards at Amiens and St. Omer as well as the airfields at Poix, Abbeville and Tricqueville. The Wing would often sweep ahead of the main bomber formation but was also deployed on target support, withdrawal support or escort cover. The confidence that this powerful and aggressive fighter instilled in its pilots and in the bomber crews it defended is clear to see in combat reports. It is also easy to imagine the crushing blow it struck into Luftwaffe morale. This excerpt from a report by Flight Lt. A. A. Glen from September 1943 is typical of the combats described: My R/T was u/s and I heard no warnings of any E/A about, but when approaching target at about 15,000 ft - I saw about 10 F.W. 190's diving on my port side towards the bombers. I broke left and came in behind them and they pulled steeply to the right. Two of the E/A were lagging slightly and I took a quick squirt at the leader from about 300 yds and 45° deflection using cannon and m/g. I saw a large flash in the cockpit and he flicked over and collided with the E/A following him. I chose to make this aircraft for this particular GB because it represents such a change in the Spitfire lineage. To me, it marks the crossover of the Spitfire from an elegant, romantic defensive weapon to a blunt, aggressive tool for harassing the Reich. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetherudders Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Nice info there, many thanks for the heads up. I have this one in the stash along with my Airfix mug depicting this a/c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 It's a great mug! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arniec Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Great model to build! O I will love this GB! Cheers, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It'sAllGoneHorriblyWrong Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I built this kit last year before I lost m' mojo and had a blast. Well-fitting parts, good detail out of the box and impeccable decals. Excellent value for the money. Have fun Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Looking forward to this mate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Thanks, guys. Paints arrived today, so when I finish the rescue mission on the little Mosquito I'll have a run at this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxidad Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Yes, you give a great summary of the type - all the perintent info it seems, to get a casual modeller like me, hooked on to this build. Looking forward to see it develop! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 Thanks Maxidad, The reason for the delay is that I've decided to do her wheels up, so awaiting delivery of some prop blurs and a display stand! My well get going on the pilot figure tomorrow, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 OK - prop blurs have arrived... in the UK. A very apologetic postman was on the doorstep this morning with a slip from the Royal Mail. My prop blurs didn't slip HMRC's net, incurring a £4.26 duty fee. I also have to pay £2.54 for the Special Delivery service from HMRC to my local collection centre and an £8.00 handling fee to Royal Mail. For heaven's sake! Anyway, I'll get over to the collection centre on Monday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Hell mate, that's £15.00 on top of the price for the part! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 I know! I've had plenty of stuff get through in the past so, on balance, I'm probably one step ahead of the game. It sounds as if there is a Free Trade Agreement coming between the EU and USA so until then I think this will be my last transatlantic purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltadefender Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Sorry, guys, but I'm going to have to pull out from this one. I've got a month overseas for work starting on Monday so I shall get a big box of popcorn and look forward to watching the rest of the GB unfold, then come back to my Spit later in the year. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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