Spitfire Mk IId

[NARSES2]

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IId "Bomber Buster" of 118 Squadron RAF, May 1941.

During the latter stages of what became known as the Battle of Britain it started to become increasingly obvious to those in RAF Fighter Command that they were starting to be somewhat outgunned in terms of the sheer weight of firepower that they could bring against the Luftwaffe, in particular the latter's bombers. Whilst the thought of having eight browning 0.303" machine guns opening up on you might sound frightening the reality was that as the bullets were not explosive it took an awful lot of hits, or a couple of very lucky ones, to damage, let alone disable or destroy, enemy aircraft, their bombers in particular. As the Luftwaffe turned increasingly to night raids it was also noticed that they were not only increasing the amount of armour that their bombers carried, but that some of them were being armed with 20mm cannon along with the 7.92mm and 13mm mg's that they had traditionally carried. There was a danger that if they returned to daytime raids in the coming spring the RAF could be outranged and outgunned. Something had to be done about it.

Initial thoughts were simply to increase the amount of machine guns that the Spitfire and Hurricane carried, and plans were drawn up for 6 gun wings. Indeed, the Hurricane IIb entered service with this wing, but the plans for a similar armament for the Spitfire were dropped. Attention turned to the Hispano 20mm cannon and plans and designs were soon being drawn up to incorporate this weapon into the RAF's arsenal as soon as possible. However, there were voices being raised within Fighter Command that suggested something heavier than the 20mm Hispano might be useful when it came to "bomber busting" and thus the Spitfire Mk IId was born.
The weapon chosen for the IId was the Vickers S Gun, a weapon of 40mm calibre which would be truly devastating if it could be brought to bear on enemy bombers, indeed one or two hits with the guns explosive shells might prove sufficient to bring one down. From the start it was obvious that there was no way the S Gun could be incorporated into the Spitfires wings and thus it was decided to fit it in an underwing pod. Each gun would have an ammunition drum holding 15 rounds, and guns could be selected to fire individually or as a pair. The Spitfires existing armament of 8 0.303" mg's was removed, all bar the inner pair which, armed with tracer, were to be used as a sighting weapon in order to conserve the S Guns ammunition.

Progress on the conversions was slow however and the first five aircraft only became available in March of 1941and were delivered to 118 squadron based at Ivesley. By the time they had tested the aircraft and formulated some tactics for their use the initial enthusiasm for the type had started to wane as reality started to rear its ugly head. Whilst they might be able to cause the enemy bombers some severe damage if they could secure hits, the problem would be in securing those hits as they would be virtually defenceless against any escorting fighters. Thus the plan was that each IId would be escorted into action by a pair of standard IIa's and indeed 118 squadron had trialled this tactic against Hampdens which for the tests had been escorted by some Hurricanes. Success rates were not high however even when no live ammunition was being used and 118 were not looking forward to being declared operational, which was expected to be in the spring of 1941.

However by the time spring arrived wiser heads had prevailed within Fighter Command and with the availability of Spitfire Mk IIb's with their pair of 20mm Hispanos, the increasing availability of the Mk Vb with the same armament and perhaps just as importantly the Luftwaffe turning it's eyes increasingly to the east the Mk IId's never fired their guns in anger. The few aircraft built were soon stripped of their S guns and returned to normal duties. This was not the end for the S gun however as they soon found themselves fitted under the wings of Hurricanes where they proved to be effective in the anti-armour role and went on to serve in Europe and the Middle and Far East.

So here we have a Spifire Mk IId of 118 Squadron RAF in May 1941. It wears fairly standard camouflage and markings with the only exception being the white wing tips and nose. These were carried in order that the rest of the squadron could identify the "bomber busters" and keep an eye out for enemy fighters in order to protect them. The model itself is the standard Airfix Spitfire Mk 1/IIa kit, built straight from the box with the exception of the 2 S guns which come from a 3D-Kits Hurricane Mk IId conversion set. I've also filled in the 3 outboard mg ports and cartridge case slots. The kit goes together beautifully and is a really relaxing build. Paints are mainly Xtracrylic with a few others for some of the peripherals. Markings are straight from the box's offering of a Mk IIa.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable build and whilst it was originally intended to be my One Week Build GB entry finally completing it has certainly restored my mojo.

[su27rules]

 

[Dizzyfugu]

Neat. 

[Gondor]

Very nice indeed 

Gondor

[zenrat]

Good job Chris.

[kitbasher]

Very smart, Chris, well done 

The white wingtips are very deceiving - I imagine Luftwaffe pilots would easily mistake them for clipped wings!

[NARSES2]

Thankyou gents

The white wingtips are very deceiving - I imagine Luftwaffe pilots would easily mistake them for clipped wings!

That they are, especially against the white background.

[PR19_Kit]

Love that one Chris, and the backstory is brill as well. 

[Wardukw]

Great back story..great build and well worth the wait..love it Chris 

[Rheged]

Another  believable backstory to match a high quality model. Well done, Chris.

[Mossie]

Great work Chris! Glad it's picked the mojo up.

[Old Wombat]

Good job Chris.

+1

[zenrat]

How many 40mm cannon could one Mosquito carry?

[NARSES2]

Thank you gents 

How many 40mm cannon could one Mosquito carry?

No idea, but a Mosquito night fighter could carry them mounted in the bomb bay in a "scharge musik" style installation similar to how some German and Japanese night fighters were armed.

[Mossie]

I'm going to go all out and say two in the cannon bay and two on the bomb hardpoints.  If there's room, two in a pannier in the space left in the bomb bay.  Much dakka.