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Airfix 1/48 Spitfire VB night-fighter


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Spitfire night-fighters were used by two RAF squadrons in the winter of 1941-42, as something of an emergency measure, planned at a time when Russian resistance appeared to be crumbling and it was feared the Germans would soon switch their focus back to the west. By closely co-operating with radar-directed searchlights it was hoped that they would be able to find the enemy bombers.

As it turned out, there was very little German activity over Britain, and Spitfires were not the easiest of aircraft to fly at night, so in February 1942 the aircraft reverted to their day-fighting colours.

 

The kit used is the Airfix Club Limited Edition 'Specialist Spitfires', which includes the all-black night-fighter scheme used by 111 Squadron at Debden.

 

Other builders report problems fitting the upper-fuselage fuel tank cover, due apparently to interference with the cockpit parts. To try and avoid this, the fuselage was first glued together without the cockpit installed, then the fuel tank cover was added. This fitted well, apart from a gap at the front that needed filling. The tank cover is slightly raised above the surrounding surfaces, supposedly a feature of of the original aircraft, but I can't see it in any photos, so the front lip at the top was sanded down a little so it isn't so prominent.

 

Then the main sections of the cockpit can be slotted together (glue not really necessary), and the hole in the bottom of the cockpit enlarged slightly to make room for the light under the wing. The oxygen tank (part number C1) can be attached between the rear cockpit frames, rather than to the inside of the fuselage as in the instructions. The cockpit then clicks into place from underneath.

The only other potential problem area is the undercarriage legs, which each come in two parts. These were glued together and installed before closing up the wings as it is then easier to get a strong joint with the correct alignment.

 

The reinforcing strakes on the wings above the wheel wells were removed - I think these were a mod introduced on surviving Mk.Vs in 1943.

The sliding canopy was a spare from a Tamiya Spitfire as it is optically less distorting and includes the oval knock-out panel on the port side.

 

The final colour scheme is a varying mix of Tamiya acrylic black, sea blue and dark sea grey.

Opinion is divided over whether this aircraft had roundels on the wings. In photos the blue and red portions of the fuselage roundel and fin flash appear the same shade as the surrounding black, but I have just about persuaded myself there is something faintly visible on the wings. . .

 

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Edited by Richard Cawsey
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