Tag: Spitfire

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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.

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

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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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New Book Documents the Fascinating Story of Spitfire R6644 and its Pilots

Air World and Dilip Sarkar (MBE FRHistS FRAeS) will soon introduce their new 328 page book A Spitfire’s Story: The Invisible Thread: Spitfire R6644 and the Pilots Who Flew It

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IA R6644 was built at Woolston and test-flown by Jeffrey Quill on 30 May 1940 before joining 5 Operational Training Unit at Aston Down, where it trained pilots including likely Richard Hillary and at least two aces among “The Few.” In February 1941, it transferred to 65 Squadron, flown by ace Paddy Finucane, then to 308 (Polish) Squadron in April. On 11 May 1941, Polish pilot Franciszek Surma abandoned R6644 near Malvern due to an engine fire during a radar intercept of a friendly Blenheim, parachuting safely before his later death over Dunkirk.

This book not only explores the men who flew R6674 throughout its wartime service, but also brings the story up to date by detailing the excavation of the Spitfire’s crash site in 1987.

The book is currently available for pre-order with release set for December 31.

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IBG Models Releases New Tool Spitfire Mk I (Early)

IBG Models has released their new tool Supermarine Spitfire Mk I (Early) model kit in 1/72 scale. The kit (72580) represents the 1938 and 1939 configurations of the type and includes numerous marking options:

They were carefully selected and thoroughly researched to present not only the wide scope of variations in markings and undersurface finish, but also to capture the most important pre-war events, leading up to the World War 2. You will find here Spitfires from Munich Crisis, March 1939 Crisis and finally from the day of the declaration of war by United Kingdom. We also did not forget about Polish Modellers and included the reconstruction of L1066 – the only Spitfire shipped to Poland. Unfortunately it never got there, but for those who like to use their imagination, we included a what-if Polish markings as well.

The kit also includes plastic and photo-etched parts along with 3D printed wheels, early type fuel tank cover and type G-22 camera gun.

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New Book Traces Spitfire History With Rare Archive Images

Soon to be released by Air World is Spitfire: The Iconic Fighter in Unique Photographs, described as “a photographic history of the Supermarine Spitfire, tracing its design, global service, and lasting wartime legacy.”

Countless photographs have been taken of the Spitfire, including innumerable high-quality press photographs. During the Second World War, however, private photography on service installations was prohibited – but, nevertheless, some personnel, aircrew and groundcrew alike, took furtive snapshots. Forming the basis of this book, these amateur images providing us with an authentic and candid window on the past. Drawing on a unique collection of rare archive images, the renowned aviation historian Dilip Sarkar MBE, RHistS, FRAeS, explores the history of the Spitfire from its inception and first flight in 1936, through its introduction to service and then its service to the Allied nations throughout the Second World War.

The 224 page book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for January 6, 2026.

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