entry #1: Spitfire Mk.0,5

[Spey_Phantom]

Back History.

in 1934, development for a new monoplane fighter was well underway at supermarine. they designed a new fighter based uppon there famous line of Sneider Trophy racers, the "Spitfire". to increase speed the design was to have a retractable undercarriage but development had a few setbacks as it was hard to fit the landinggear into the extremely fine wing. meanwhile the RAF was also looking for an aircraft that could not only function as a fighter, but also as a divebomber.

Supermarine/Vickers came up with a new aircraft based on the Type 224 and the new Spitfire. the baseline looked the same as the expected spitfire but did not have a closed cockpit and had fixed landinggear. the latter actually reduced the speed of the aircraft, but this feature was actually an advantage for a divebomber, as the aircraft could dive at a slower speed, enableing the bombarder to take its time aiming its bomb release. the prototype flew only 6 month after development began and looked very similar to the proposed spitfire fighter. they called it the Spitfire Mk.0,5 (one half) as it was also kind of an interim trainer for the upcoming Spitfire Mk.1 witch is sheduled to enter RAF service in 1938.

the first Spitfire Mk.0,5's was delivered to to 412 squadron of Bomber Command in January 1936, after a few months the pilots gave the the nickname "Bomfire" as it was more of a bomber version of fighter commands expected spitfire.
the 0,5 was also sold to Polen, Greece, Portugal, Yugoslavia and France. due to the fixed landinggear, more space was made for fuel compared to the Mk.1.

in May 1940, French 0,5's were used to great effect against german troops invading the country, especially when equiped with american 50cal machine guns witch proved very effective against german tanks. the RAF 0,5's were withdrawn from service in 1942 when they were replaced with the Westland Whirlwind Mk.III. in total 600 0,5's were build.


The Model:

baseline Model is an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk.1a, the propellor is a 2-bladed resin prop and the spats are scratchbuild.
as for the markings im thinking RAF in silver or camoflaged in Yugoslavian markings 

[Spey_Phantom]

UPDATE:

the airfix Mk.1 kit practicly builds itself, not to many parts, easy to build.
the only thing that bothered me was the 1 piece canopy, but lucly for me, the Acedemy mk.XIV kit has 2, 1 closed and 1 set for an open canopy, so the rear and front window parts come very much in handy 

here's the progress pics 

[Brian da Basher]

Love the spats, Nils!

Brian da Basher

[Mossie]

Good work so far Nils, some chunky looking spats!  Just a suggestion, since it's an earlier aircraft, how about 'downgrading' the engine to a Kestrel.  It's easier than it sounds, you'd simply sand the top of the engine cover to give a more rounded top & I happen to have some inserts for a stubless exhaust from a Spit Prototype set if you want them?

[philp]

Mossie, please don't feed the bears.  They are doing quite nicely on their own

Looking good so far Nils.

I really need to find a kit before I get too far behind.

[Mossie]

It's called a suggestion, philip & it was suggested to Nils, not you.  He's big enough a lad to make his own mind up.

[philp]

I get it, just having a little fun.

[Patrick H]

Looking good so far Nils.

[Spey_Phantom]

earlier today, i saw a real spitfire fly over work today 
that suddenly gave me a slap of motivation i needed to continue on my first Spitfire GB entry.
its painted in a very shiny silver/metallic paint job.
the decals are from a 1/72 Matchbox Fury.
she now looks fantastic, although there's still a few things to do on them 

[Spey_Phantom]

She's finished 

and isnt she a looker 
i added a bit of wire to the tailboom, typical for 30's/40's aircraft.
the 2 bombs are from my weapon reserves.

[Mossie]

She looks good in silver Nils!

[nev]

That looks really good - btw who built a Spatfire a while back?  Eddie?

[tanktastic43]

Great job Nils. A very effective colour scheme with the chequered decals. 

[Brian da Basher]

Simply outstanding, Nils!!!! You've picked the perfect color and marking scheme! To my mind, this isn't a "What-If" but a "Should've Been"!

Superlative spatted Spitfire sumptiousness!!!!!

Brian da Basher