1/48 scale Aircraft Series No.35 plastic model kit of the WWII British Super MC Spitfire MkVb TROP Tropical version for service in North Africa.
- Approx 50 parts in tan and clear with fine recessed panel lines.
- Accurately captures features of Mk Vb: spinner, armament, exhaust stubs.
- Highly detailed cockpit seat, control stick and rudder pedals, bulkheads, and sculpted pilot figure.
- Includes Vokes and Aboukir tropical air filters.
This plastic kitset requires assembly, paints and glue to complete.
Wingspan: 9–1/4" (23.4cm)
Fuselage Length: 7–1/2" (19.3cm)
Tamiya Product Number: 61035
Scale: 1:48
Suggested Paint Colors (not included):
X-16 – Purple
XF-18 – Medium Blue
XF-2 – Flat White
XF-52 – Flat Earth
XF-59 – Desert Yellow
XF-60 – Dark Yellow
XF-64 – Red Brown
XF-7 – Flat Red
The Supermarine Spitfire is regarded by many as the most beautifully designed single seat fighter to appear during WWII. The Spitfire went through numerous major and minor changes throughout its long production life. Early improvements resulted in the Mk.V series of Spitfires which became the most widely produced versions of all Mk's. The main improvements was the furnishing of three wing armament configurations, and the use of the more powerful Merlin type 45 engine. The most numerous Mk.V was the “b” winged version which had a mixed armament of two 7.7mm machine guns and on 20mm cannon in each wing.
The Spitfire that demonstrated such superb performance over its homeland, was also urgently required for operations overseas. One of the better known versions was the North African prepared Spitfire designated “TROP”, for Tropical. The biggest problem in desert operations was the intake of abrasive sands into the engine, which quickly wore out moving parts. To overcome this difficulty a Vokes air filter was affixed over the carburetor intake.
Although the filter was successful, its large mass reduced the aircraft's speed. The problem was solved by the local maintenance unit stationed at Aboukir, who designated a smaller more streamlined unit that was equally effective. The clipped wing versions, which had better low altitude maneuverability, were commonly seen in North Africa.