Classic Kit aircraft A17002 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII (1:24)

Model airplane to be glued. Size: 1:24; 40.2 cm. The package contains: 452 parts to glue.



Original and model information:

This new super kit includes several new parts that allow for the accurate assembly of the Mk.VIII, based on our 2022 Spitfire Mk.IX.cz kit. The new parts include:

The upper and lower surfaces of the wing, including the leading edge of the fuel tanks and the camera position for the cannon.

Wings with a short span

Retractable part of the tail wheel

Redesigned instrument panel

Redesigned hull light



One of the most impressive features of the Spitfire's lasting legacy is how its basic design was able to be modified and modernized so effectively throughout the Second World War, and how the final variants of this magnificent aircraft were far more capable than those that first arrived at RAF Duxford in the summer of 1938 .



The Spitfire underwent near-constant development throughout World War II to keep it at the cutting edge of fighter technology, but this important work was interrupted by the introduction of the Luftwaffe's dreaded new Focke Wulf Fw190 aircraft in 1941, which was superior to the Spitfire Mk.V, which was in in wide use at the time.



A new variant of the Spitfire, the Mk.VIII, was at an advanced stage of development at the time, but actual production was still in the offing as no production fixtures had been installed in the factories at the time. The temporary solution was the introduction of the Mk.IX hybrid aircraft, which fortunately turned out to be something of a revelation and was more than a match for the Focke Wulf.



The planned Spitfire Mk.VIII was to continue in production and was essentially a fighter aircraft that was deliberately designed and constructed from the outset as the next version of the fighter and the main production variant. The Mk.VIII was powered by the latest Merlin engine variants, had a strengthened fuselage, retractable tail wheel and used a new wide-line rudder, with versions optimized for high, medium and low altitude operations.



This variant of the Spitfire was used primarily by units deployed overseas, with the RAF in the Mediterranean, the Middle and Far East and the RAAF in the South West Pacific. Many pilots who flew several makes of this famous fighter considered the Mk.VIII to be the best flying Spitfire of all.



History:

No. 457 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force became known as the "Grey Nurse Squadron" after repainting their newly arrived Spitfire Mk.VIII aircraft with the distinctive shark mouths. Initially tasked with the air defense of Darwin, the squadron was soon moved north to Morotai and finally Labuan to conduct primarily ground attack missions against Japanese forces. The aircraft shown belongs to the Commanding Officer of 457, Sqn. Ldr. To Bruce Watson DFC.



Package Contents:

Plastic model, assembly instructions, painting instructions and decals.



Model details:

Scale: 1:24

Number of parts: 452

Length: 402 mm

Difficulty: 4

Flying Hours Points: 4



Recommended for children from 8 years old.



Warning: Danger of suffocation! The product contains small parts. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS OLD!