1/72 Airfix Spitfire Prototype

80 Year Anniversary

Gallery Article by Ole A. Hoel on Apr 29 2016

 

      

In honour of the 80 year anniversary of the "most beloved aeroplane in history" (some may challenge that, but what the hell....): Here's my take on the classic Spitfire.

Click on images below to see larger images

I finished it as it looked on its first flight on March 5th, 1936. At its controls was Vickers' chief test pilot Captain Joseph "Mutt" Summers. At that time it was still in primer coats and natural metal and was lacking the undercarriage doors (making it easier to build...). 

This is the old tool 1/72 Airfix kit with the Aeroclub conversion set (only a vacuformed cockpit glazing, and wheels and two-bladed propeller in white metal). I had to rescribe it, since the wing panels of the prototype is totally different from the production models. The underwing radiator had to be lengthened in front, and the tail wheel was modified to a tail skid. Instead of the underwing production pitot, the prototype had two pitots in the wing front. The colours may seem a bit strange, but I have been ensured that this was the real primer colour. The fabric covered control surfaces were aluminium doped, while the oil filter/cooler/under-engine thingie had a red finish. The roundels and numbers came from Xtradecals generic sheets. I really enjoyed the build; it was an easy conversion and the result is a different looking model.

Hope you enjoy it too.

Ole A. Hoel

Photos and text © by Ole A. Hoel