Eduard's 1/48 scale
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc Trop

by Brett Green

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc Trop 8 OTU, Parkes NSW, 1944

Here is my new Eduard 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.Vc, which I have built and painted over the last six days.

This long-awaited variant is one half of Eduard’s “Eagle’s Call” boxing, and it is accompanied by a Spitfire Mk.Vb. Parts for a complete Spitfire Mk.Vb and Mk.Vc are included.

There are plenty of options including tropical filters (three styles - Vokes and two variants of the Aboukir), slipper tanks, three versions of the C wing cannon covers, bombs, parts for early or late Mk.Vb and much more.

I don’t think it is exaggerating to say that Eduard’s 1/48 scale Spitfires were instant classics from the first Mk.IX release, and subsequent kits in the family continue to clear that high bar.

These new Spitfire Mk.Vb and Vc kits do not disappoint.

I used the Eduard SPACE 3D printed decals and colour photo-etch on this project.

I was delighted at how good the 3D printed panels, pilot’s back cushion and details looked in the cockpit.

I didn’t treat these as decals though. I simply popped the individual elements off the backing sheet by lifting a corner with a hobby knife. The 3D printed parts were then secured in place with Gator’s Grip Acrylic Glue.

I used SMS Premium lacquer paints for the first time too, including their British Interior Grey Green for the cockpit and their RAAF Sky Blue, Foliage Green and Earth Brown. I was impressed with their smooth application, speed of drying and their interpretation of the colours.

Decals are from Xtradecal X48217 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc Overseas Users. They performed flawlessly.

For nostalgia's sake, I have included a photo of this brand new state-of-the-art Spitfire next to the late-1970s vintage Airfix 1/48 scale Spitfire Vb. I built this one in the early 1990s and Chris Wauchop repainted it as a Vc in 1998. It was looking dusty and a bit sad so I decided to refurbish it with a clean, a respray of the crazed and faded wing roundels and a polish of the canopy. Comes up pretty nicely thanks to Chris's remarkable painting skills.

I will be writing this one up in detail for Model Airplane International magazine.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 30 August, 2021
Last Updated 30 August, 2021

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