Early Spitfire Vs - a few questions.

[DominikS]

Hi!

As in the title I've a few questions about early Spits Fives.

First of all I want to build to kits of early Fives using Tamiya sets and Mk.I Airfix set. These are going to be Spitfire Mk.Va and Spits Vb QJ-S, QJ-J or Kent's Spit. My first question is about propellers and spinners. Should I look for De Havilland propellers or can I, especially in case of Tamiya's, use Rotol from the set?

The second question is about Kent's Spit code letters. According to Model Alliance his "code letters" were Sky. But ,afaik, Spitfires painted Dark Earth/Dark Green had Medium Sea Grey code letters.

OK. That's all for now. Probably in a few days I'll have some more questions.

Cheers.

[Test Graham]

There's an old rule about not modelling subjects without looking at photos of them, and I think this applies here. I believe that the early Spit Mk.Vs had the DH prop, but wouldn't hold it out as an absolute rule. If you can't find photos of the exact aircraft you want, look for nearby serials.

I don't recall being over-impressed with the Tamiya prop anyway, try Aeroclub or Quickboost.

[wally7506]

I believe Johnny Kent's Vb still had MSG codes. (You may know this already, but he also had names on the cannon!)

Early Vs had the DH prop. You can rob one from the Tamiya Mk I kit, or get some from ultracast.ca

Also, the early Mk Vs did NOT have the crowbar on the access hatch (neither did the Mk Is and IIs).

hth

[Edgar]

Spitfire Vs could take either a de Havilland 5/39 constant-speed, or a Rotol R.X.5/10 constant-speed. The Rotol had a 15 degree wider pitch range. The crowbar was fitted (properly) from 23-1-42, and was ordered to be also retro-fitted to the I & II, from the same date. Means of stowage had been provided from 3-2-41, in the I & II, but I believe that these were on the right side of the seat, out of view.

Edgar

[wally7506]

Hi!

The second question is about Kent's Spit code letters. According to Model Alliance his "code letters" were Sky. But ,afaik, Spitfires painted Dark Earth/Dark Green had Medium Sea Grey code letters.

Cheers.

Actually, now that I've down some digging I see that Johnny Kent was given command of the Kenley Wing in August 1941. He made claims on the 7th and the 16th. The order to change the topside camo from DE/DG to OG/DG was effective 15 Aug. Since Kent did not leave the Kenley Wing until October it is likely that his JAK was repainted and therefore had the Sky codes for a majority of the time he flew it.

Model Alliance has probably gotten it right.

JS

[DominikS]

Thanks everyone for answer. Instead Ultracast I'll use Montex DeHavilland prop. The quality is worse but i can't get Ultracast prop now.

@wally7506

So Model Alliance present DG/DE aircraft in their book but give code letters fo aircraft painted DG/OG. Sweet.

Cheers.