Supermarine Spartan - Finished Today!

[kitbasher]

Supermarine Spartan I P6984 'HE-H', 263 Sqn RAF, January 1941
A twin Merlin-engined, four-cannon fighter designed to Air Ministry Specification F.37/35, the Spartan first flew in late-1938.  Development and production of the type was facilitated by the extensive use of Spitfire components such that the Spartan was initially known as the 'Twin Spitfire'.  However the name Spartan (an ancient Greek warrior) was officially assigned in late 1939. Spartans entered service in mid-1940 with 137 and 263 Squadrons.  They performed vital cross-Channel sweeps and were the first squadrons to take the air battle to the Germans.  Unfortunately, a purely offensive fighter was not what the RAF needed at the time and production ceased after 200 had been built.  The Spartan continued to serve in its niche role throughout 1941-42 until the Hawker Typhoon began to assume its place. 
(donor kits: Airfix Spitfire I, Spitfire IXc, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Mosquito NFII/FBVI/FXVIII, Whirlwind I; Eastern Express Spitfire Vb 'Floatfire'); Italeri Spitfire Vb, Pegasus Spitfire F22/24)

It was interesting to compare the Spartan with the real world Whirlwind.  The Spartan appears much chunkier than the Whirlwind, but I guess it all boils down to how much of a beast the 'Crikey' (WW2 slang for the Whirlwind - honest!) would have been with Merlins and a slightly longer fuselage to compensate.  I'd say there'd have been no need for the dH Hornet (at least not in Europe) for the rest of the 40s.




Enjoy!  

[kitnut617]

Whoa! that's really nice all finished up like that.

[Brian da Basher]

That's an absolutely cracker-jack model! Two thumbs up!!

Brian da Basher

[BadersBusCompany]

I am flabbergasted as to how well it looks! It certainly is a beefy bugger but....................it looks so right. Well done a lovely kit  

[van883]

Great-very beefy indeed

Van

[Mike Wren]

great job!    

[McGreig]

Impressive and convincing     . And a great finish too    

[cthulhu77]

very well done, the paintjob is really great.  Dig the nose too !

[Captain Canada]

Wow ! That is one tough looking little bird ! I love the way you're kept it looking like a Spitfire.....very nice. Love the paint as well, excellent job on that. Nice touch to include the pic of the Whirlwind as well, another superb build !

 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Curvy and convincing! Great paint job.
 

[lancer]

Amazing job, beautiful looking aircraft.

[upnorth]

Very nice!

Looks like it could take abuse just as well as it could dish it out.

[noxioux]

Oh man, you just gotta love that!  Almost as sexy as a F7f. . .  

[ysi_maniac]

Honestly, a wonderful creation.          

[Jschmus]

I've been itching to say this ever since I read the name of this aircraft, and I'm happy to see that it lives up to the hype.

"Spartans, prepare for glory!"