Airfix 17002 1/24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII with Australian Decal

No. 457 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force became known as the 'Grey Nurse Squadron' after repainting their newly arrived Spitfire Mk.VIII aircraft with distinctive shark mouths. Originally tasked with the air defense of Darwin, the squadron was soon moved northwards to Morotai and eventually Labuan, where they primarily conducted ground attack missions against Japanese forces. The aircraft depicted is that of 457's commanding officer, Squadron Leader Bruce Watson DFC.

The Spitfire's design was remarkably adaptable, allowing it to be upgraded throughout WWII. Initially deployed in 1938, it faced a significant challenge in 1941 from the superior Focke Wulf Fw190. Although a new variant, the Mk.VIII, was in development, it wasn't ready for production. Instead, the hybrid Mk.IX was introduced as a stop-gap solution and proved highly effective against the Fw190. The Mk.VIII, once produced, featured advancements like a strengthened fuselage, retractable tail wheel, and new rudder. It was used primarily by overseas RAF and RAAF units. Pilots often considered the Mk.VIII the best version of the Spitfire.

Introducing the new 1:24 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII.

This new super-kit features several new parts to enable the accurate creation of a Mk.VIII, using our 2022 release of the Spitfire Mk.IX.c as the base kit. The new parts include;

- Upper and lower wing surface, including leading edge fuel tanks and gun camera position.
- Short span ailerons
- Retractable tailwheel section
- Revised instrument panel
- Repositioned fuselage light

Schemes
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, Sqn Ldr Bruce Watson, No. 457 'Grey Nurse' Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Morotai, 1945. (A)
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, No. 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron, Sinthe, Burma, 1945. (B)
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, USAAF, Italy 1944. (C)

** This model kit is supplied in unassembled and unpainted plastic components. Please note that glue, model paints, and other basic modelling tools are required and sold separately.