TopNotch 72-M124 1/72 Spitfire IX Desert Camo Masks

With the clear superiority of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 over the Spitfire Mk Vb, there was much pressure to get Spitfires into production using the new two-stage supercharged Merlin 63 engine. The Mk VIII was in development but a solution was urgently needed. The Mk IX was an Vc with the Merlin 63 engine fitted which game the spitfire more power. The nose was extended to accommodated the longer engine.
Mediterranean Squadrons were hurriedly equipped with IX's Ian Gleed is said to have assigned the superior IX to more inexperienced pilots and was notably shot down flying an older Vb as Wing Commander of 145 sqn. The Poles in 145 enjoyed much success with the IX carrying id codes ZX-1-6

This set includes only the camouflage pattern. Serial numbers, code letters and other markings are not included.