This is an ICM (Ukrainian manufacturer) model of their rendition of a Mk.IX Spitfire, built OOB. It
is a faithful replica of Spitfire Mk.IXc MH894/WZ-JJ "Lady Ellen III"
The airplane was flown by Lt. John Fawcett, of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st
Fighter Group, 15th Air Force, flying out of Castel Volturno, Italy. The date:
February 1944.
In direct
contradiction to standing orders, the aircraft of the 309th were still carrying
the Insignia Red surrounds to their Stars and Bars, probably because their
Spitfires were to be replaced by Mustangs, which were considerably delayed
because of high demand of this type in the Western European Theater. The eventual
replacing actually happened on the 30th March of 1944! All the other
squadrons of the 31st FG had their red surrounds replaced by Insignia Blue late
fall of 1943.
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The "temperate
scheme" of Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey has been
considerably faded due to the harsh environment of the Northern Sahara and
Mediterranean. I simulated that by adding a fair amount of grey to the
original paint. The areas of the RAF markings were carefully overpainted
with fresher colours. The portion behind the canopy is MSG, no idea why this was
done! Probably it was a damaged area, and no Ocean Grey was available...See the
black and white pictures taken from the book "American Spitfire -
camouflage and markings" by Ventura publications (1998) ISBN 0-9583594-3-1.
The yellow spot just behind the canopy is a gas detection patch, which was
supposed to change colour when exposed to battlefield gas!
The Red bands over
the wingtips were additional identification of the group. Also, a small yellow
area under the propeller with the double J is present, in order to help ground
crew spot the aircraft readily from head-on. The double J code indicated that
another WZ-J was on strength. The wheels were covered with hubcaps to
reduce the damage by sand and dust to the brakes. The interior was finished in
RAF Interior green; the seat was the bakelite version, which had a distinct
reddish colour. Markings came from an old MSAP set, the roundels are from
Xtradecal. All paints are Xtracolor. The ICM model is not one of my favourites;
it does however capture the lines of this Spitfire Mark quite nicely, although I
am a bit undecided about the curvature and shape of the cowling. Fit is not as
good as the Tamigawa renditions, but acceptable enough for the more experienced
modeler.
Robert
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