1/48 High Altitude Spitfires

by Rafi Ben-Shahar

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The involved story of the 1/48 definitive spitfire model has one good outcome for modelers in the sense that many companies took a shot at the mark. I present here two close hits. The first is Hasegawa's Spitfire IX converted to the high altitude role similar to the real aircraft and including the non standard painting scheme that later became the form for PR aircraft in the RAF service. From some angles of view the fatal flaw of model design is not obvious and one can appreciate the fine details and engraved panel lines.

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The second Spitfire is ICM's presentation of the Mk. VII. I added flaps from an Eduard set and replaced the horrible kit's wheels. This one is the close as you can get to the definitive Spitfire without doing kit bashing or dumping money in aftermarket products. The big disadvantage of ICM's kits are the decals. I succumbed to an Aeromaster set (that was also used with the Spitfire above.)    

Rafi

Photos and text © by Rafi Ben-Shahar