Spitfire Mk.I: Type ‘B’ roundels & white/night undersides?

[GMK]

Quick one: I’m quite taken by the early Spitfire Mk.I with small Type B roundels on the fuselage sides, as well as the wings. I’m also quite taken by the black & white underside colouring that was worn for a brief period. 

 

My question: did these two marking schemes ever appear on the same aircraft at the same time? Thanks!

[gingerbob]

Yep.  The series of 19 Squadron formation photos (some taken on ground, too) are an example.

[GMK]

53 minutes ago, gingerbob said:

Yep.  The series of 19 Squadron formation photos (some taken on ground, too) are an example.

Thanks @gingerbob - I hadn’t seen that they had the black & white underside. Can you point me at pics? Thanks again!

[72modeler]

45 minutes ago, GMK said:

Can you point me at pics?

GMK,

 

See if these help get you   started:

Mike

 

http://falkeeinsmodel.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-spits-moving-across-bench-airfix.html

 

https://www.raf-in-combat.com/downloads/november-2014-pre-war-spitfires-14-photos/

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjIArxEpJoI

 

[Troy Smith]

some 19 sq here 

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/RAF-19Sqn-QV.html

 

also some 65 sq

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/RAF-65Sqn-YT.html

note that in 1939 IIRC many RAF squadrons changed their code letters for security,  in this case FZ for YT

 

from here

https://www.asisbiz.com/Spitfire.html

 

where you may find more

If you have not seen this.

 

 

you need too, and its scanned here

https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Modeling-References/Camoflage-Markings/01-Supermarine-Spitfire

 

HTH

[Peter Roberts]

Great links there Troy - thank you. Haven't seen many of those photos of early 65 Sqn Spitfires before.

 

PR

[bobmig]

The last IPMS Canada free (for the members, anyway) decal sheet had markings for L1090, "Canada's First Spitfire".

 

[GMK]

Whoa! Thank you all gentlemen! @72modeler @Troy Smith great links!

 

@bobmig L1090 looks amazing! I’m guessing that with a three-bladed DH prop, it has a bulged canopy? Can’t quite see it. Would love to track those decals down!

[303sqn]

Iliad Design had/has a sheet in both 1/72 and 1/48 for pre-war Spits where you should be able to find a suitable subject. The Airfix 1/72 Mk I/II  kit has an early/prewar option that matches your needs.

 

 

It needs few alterations though.

Edited November 17, 2018 by 303sqn

[GMK]

Thanks @303sqn - nicely finished model! Will have to check out Iliad. Thanks to the links posted by @Troy Smith the night/white/aluminium factory scheme has also caught my eye. Just have to wait for Tamiya’s new 1/48 kit, I guess. 

[jimmaas]

Among the 19 Sdn Spits was WZ-B which had a red-blue roundel on the port upper wing, nothing on the starboard.  The underside was black and white with, on the white side, a gray rectangle where the serial had been blacked out and then over painted by white. Ailerons and elevators were left in silver paint. Note that on these very early Spits, the upper/lower camouflage demarcation on the nose did not follow the panel line but carried a bit below it.