Tag: Spitfire

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Vulcan to Spitfire and Back: Flying in an RAF Squadron During the Cold War

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Bill Perrins is From Vulcan to Spitfire and Back: A Life in Aviation, described as “a humorous, unguarded, and often self-deprecating account of what it was like to be part of an RAF squadron during the Cold War.”

Growing up in Belfast during the Troubles, Bill Perrins was a young man hell-bent on a career as a pilot. He made it through RAF pilot training—thanks more, perhaps, to sheer determination than aptitude—and finally graduated to the role of Vulcan pilot in time to take part in the 1982 Falklands War. After the RAF, Bill entered the world of commercial aviation, flying Boeing 747s and Dreamliners on long-haul, though he still found time to pilot the world’s only privately owned nuclear bomber, the mighty Vulcan XH558, at air shows, along with P51 Mustangs, Yaks and the legendary Spitfire. Way back in his boyhood, the fantasy of one day flying the Spitfire was where it had all begun—and it did not disappoint.

From Vulcan to Spitfire and Back: A Life in Aviation is… about the simple joys of flying, whether in the cockpit of the enormous delta-winged Vulcan or behind the sprightly controls of the inimitable Spitfire, and the camaraderie that comes with it, both in military and civil aviation.

The 224 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 30.

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Kotare Offers Limited Edition Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B That Will Never Be Re-Released

Kotare Models has announced the upcoming release of a Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B model kit in 1/32 scale.

The Mk.I PR Type B was a mid-production Mk.I airframe converted in late 1939–early 1940 into a specialized unarmed photo‑reconnaissance aircraft, optimized for speed, range, and altitude by stripping out all armament and radio equipment, fairing over gun bays, and adding extra fuel and oxygen behind the pilot for longer missions. Externally it carried two downward‑facing F24 cameras with 8‑inch lenses in blister fairings under the wings and used a lighter, unarmored windscreen plus a blown canopy with teardrop side blisters to improve downward visibility. These aerodynamic and weight‑saving changes, combined with the high‑gloss pale blue finish typical of early PR Spitfires, allowed the PR Type B to conduct medium‑range, high‑speed photographic sorties over enemy territory with minimal chance of interception during the early stages of the Second World War. Continue reading Kotare Offers Limited Edition Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B That Will Never Be Re-Released

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New IBG Kit Recreates Spitfire Prototype’s Full History For Type’s 90th Anniversary

To celebrate the Spitfire’s 90th anniversary, IBG Models has collaborated with MRM Studio to create a new limited edition model.

The body of the model is based on the IBG plastic kit, but in practice this means a completely new design. Each element has been re-designed to faithfully reflect all the differences between the early prototype and the later production machines. In order to show the evolution of this design as accurately as possible, we have prepared four variants of the aircraft’s nose, two types of fuselage, and two variants of wings – both in the original unarmed configuration and the later armed configuration used during testing. This allows modelers to reproduce the different stages of the machine’s development.

The 1/72 kit employs high-quality 3D printing technology and a vacu-type cockpit canopy with an innovative snap-vac system that uses printed frames that are applied to the transparent part without the need for traditional masking during painting. Additional features include a 3D-printed test pilot figure, Techmod decals and mask designs for painted markings.

The entire edition includes two different sets, which together allow you to recreate the full history of this unique aircraft – from its first flight to its crash on the second day of the war.

The first set (A72001), which depicts the aircraft in its configuration in the first test flight, will be limited to 400 pieces and is slated for release in April. Click below to check out additional images.

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Italeri Releases Spitfire Mk IX Focused on RAF Aces

Italeri has released a new edition of their 1/48 Spitfire Mk. IX focused on ace liveries.

The Mk. IX was an interim upgrade to counter the German Fw 190, entering service in 1942 with over 5,600 units produced, making it the second most numerous Spitfire variant. Powered by a more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin 60-series engine with a two-stage supercharger, it offered superior high-altitude performance, speed up to around 408 mph, exceptional climb rate, and improved structural reinforcements compared to the earlier Mk. V, while retaining excellent maneuverability. Typically armed with two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 Browning machine guns (or variations), it served extensively in escort roles, intercepting bombers, and air superiority missions across Europe, significantly restoring Allied dominance during WW2.

The release (2843) includes new decals representing five aircraft flown by RAF aces: F/Lt Pierre Clostermann of 602 Squadron, W/Cdr James E. Johnson of 402 Squadron, F/Lt Jan Falkowski of 402 Squadron, S/Ldr Russell Foskett of 94 Squadron and F/Lt George Beurling of 412 Squadron.

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Eduard Release ProfiPACK Spitfire F Mk. IX With New Liveries

Adding to the list of new Eduard releases for March is this ProfiPACK Edition Spitfire F Mk. IX model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F Mk. IX was a mid‑war Spitfire variant created as a stopgap by fitting the new two‑stage supercharged Merlin 61 series engine to essentially a modified Mk Vc airframe to counter the Focke‑Wulf Fw 190 in 1942. It retained the classic Spitfire agility but offered much improved speed, climb, and high‑altitude performance. It was typically armed with two 20 mm cannon and four .303 in machine guns in the universal “C” wing. Intended as a temporary solution until more advanced marks arrived, it proved so successful that thousands were built, serving in roles from pure interceptor to fighter‑bomber and remaining a mainstay of RAF fighter units through the later years of the Second World War.

The offering (8282) is reportedly a re-release with new marking options including Canadian and American liveries. It includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with five marking options.

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New Photo Archive Chronicles Spitfire From First Flight to Last Sorties

Coming soon from JJN Publishing and author Jonathan Falconer is Spitfire (The Photographic Archive): From First Flight to Last Sorties.

The book features approximately 145 black-and-white archival photographs and chronicles the Supermarine Spitfire’s complete service life—from prototype testing and early RAF operations through Battle of Britain, global theaters, and final wartime sorties — with detailed captions covering variants, markings, units, and historical context. Ideal for enthusiasts and modelers, the large-format design prioritizes high-quality images sourced from official records and private collections, capturing the aircraft in flight, on the line, and in maintenance.

The 144 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for March 6.

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How to Build a Spitfire: A Masterclass in Engineering and Inspiration

New from David Price is How to Build a Spitfire, which marries the story of how the author built a replica Spitfire in his garden with the plane’s operational history.

In April 2018 David Price, dedicated aviation museum volunteer and author of The Crew and Mosquito Men, decided to build a Spitfire replica in his back garden. In How to Build a Spitfire he juxtaposes the story of the ups and down of his own ambitious project to recreate an icon of British aviation with a narrative of the development of the Spitfire itself, focusing in particular on the production of the aircraft and its various component parts – including the Merlin engine. The story includes incredible testimonies from workers in the Supermarine factory in Southampton and in other Spitfire production facilities.

Bringing together the sometimes light-hearted tale of a personal quest, enthusiastically pursued, with an authoritative account of the technical workings of a war-winning weapon, and the stories of the men who flew it, How to Build a Spitfire is a distinctive and affectionate homage to an enduring symbol of British engineering genius and national resilience.

The 320 page book is available in hardcover, Kindle and audiobook formats.

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How To Fly A Spitfire: A Nut-and-Bolt Guide to the World’s Greatest Aircraft

Coming soon from publisher Frances Lincoln and author Hattie Hearn is How To Fly A Spitfire: A Nut-and-Bolt Guide to the World’s Greatest Aircraft, which takes readers into the cockpit of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire to discover what it really takes to fly Britain’s most iconic fighter.

First flown in March 1936 and operated decisively throughout the Second World War and beyond, the Spitfire is considered a mechanical work of art. Its elegant elliptical wings, powerful Rolls‑Royce Merlin engine, and pivotal role in the Battle of Britain have secured its place in history, and in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

How to Fly a Spitfire takes you on a fascinating, hands‑on tour of this remarkable machine. Much more fun than an overly technical manual, it offers a readable, richly illustrated and step‑by‑step walkthrough of the Spitfire’s controls and systems, giving a unique impression of what it was like to actually pilot one.

The 192 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for April 7.

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Coming Soon: Kotare’s New Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early) Finally Enters Production

After “excessive delay” related to obtaining the highest possible quality, Kotare has announced that their much anticipated 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early) has finally entered production.

The new kit will reportedly feature 141 high-quality injection molded plastic parts, including 38 all new tooled parts such as wings, 20mm cannon barrels, alternate magazine fairings, control column, engine driven undercarriage controls, cockpit sidewalls, starboard engine cowlings, ailerons, and oil cooler fairings. Additional features include windscreen with de-icing, canopy hood with Martin-Baker jettison system, fireproof bulkhead, dual-height rudder pedals, instrument panel with rectangle & curved flying panels, composite pilot’s seat with and without Sutton Type K harness detail, IFF Mk.II, ice/snow guard, port wing fillets with electrical connection door, Supermarine and CBAF undercarriage doors and top engine cowlings, open & closed cockpit doors with optional crow-bar, de Havilland & Rotol propellers and wheels with weighted tyres featuring correct alignment. High quality Cartograf decals will also be provided offering marking options for RAF, Polish, and USAAF aircraft.

The company expects to receive stock and begin shipments in mid January. Click below to check out additional images.

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Full-Scale Spitfire Plans For Sale: “Full Set For Flying Replica”

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

A full set of Spitfire plans has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This is a full set of plans to build a full size flying Supermarine Spitfire replica aircraft. The plans were designed by Marcel Jurca in France. These are large paper plans, some of which are to be used as direct templates attached to aluminum or wood to cut out parts such as compound curves for wing shape, ribs, fuselage sections, etc. The airplane can be powered by the V-1710 Allison V-12 Engine, or the Merlin V-1650 Engines. The early non-high Altitude Merlins (V-1650-1) are available and much cheaper than the later high altitude versions fitted to aircraft like the P-51D. The plans show how to build a strong wood box spar mated to an Steel tube fuselage. The shape of the airplane is identical to a Spitfire Mk.9 with the famous elliptical wing, identical style landing gear, cowling, etc.

The plan set is located in Suwanee, Georgia and is currently available for US $1,200 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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