Malta Spitfire

[NARSES2]

This is one of my 1941 Group Builds for Telford

Spitfire Mk II (Trop) of 185 Sqd Hal Far Malta in Nov 1941.

In mid 1941 a number of Spitfire MK II's were shipped via the West Africa route to the Middle East. On arrival there some of them were quietly shipped to Malta from Alexandria whilst a large convoy from Gibraltar was occupying the Axis Air Forces.

Once there these aircraft greatly contributed to the air defence of this Island Bastion, and has to be said came as a nasty suprise to the Axis when they first appeared.

The model represents an aircraft of 185 sqd after it's repaint in the sand/green/Mediterranean blue scheme and after the addition of the "Hal Far" tropical filter which was based on blue prints of the Vokes filter shipped in via submarine when it was realised some form of sand/dust filter was required.

Model is the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk I with the 3D Models Mk II conversion kit and an AZ Vokes filter fitted - suitably adapted to Hal Far pattern   The scheme is as worn by 185's actual Hurricanes and is a combination of Xtracrylic for the upper colours and White Ensign for the Med Blue.

Chris

[rickshaw]

Looks good.  Was the Hal Far pattern better or worse than the store bought Vokes' one?

[PR19_Kit]

You could display that on the Spitfire SIG stand and no-one would say a word. 

Excellent stuff Chris.

[lancer]

Thats gotta be one of the lovliest Spits I've seen in a long time.

[Pablo1965]

There's always room for a new Spit, and if it is as beautiful as this, even more so.What a beauty! 

[NARSES2]

Looks good.  Was the Hal Far pattern better or worse than the store bought Vokes' one?

Like most things cobbled together it was actualy slightly more refined then the origional 

Thanks gents

[Old Wombat]

Pretty!

[kitbasher]

You could display that on the Spitfire SIG stand and no-one would say a word. 

Excellent stuff Chris.

Indeed you could and indeed it is - a very nice build Chris.  The new Airfix Ia,  I take it?
See y'all Saturday!

[NARSES2]

The new Airfix Ia,  I take it?
See y'all Saturday!

Yup and a nice kit, also built the early Mk I from the same boxing, love those red/blue roundels

[tc2324]

 

[Martin H]

Well that will be two Malta spitfire I's on the stand. Ive done one as well. All be it with out the sand filter. And its carrying a pair of long range slipper tanks. Its in the markings of 222 sqn

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

One of your best, Chris, looks as nice as last years' P-51 

Ian