Australian Spitfire questions

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hello all;

I’m going to start building a 1/72 late war RAAF Spitfire MK.Vc in the next month or so and I’ve got some questions about it:

I’m going to use decals from a Smer reissue of an old Heller MK.Vc I’ve got sitting around, as I understand the decals that came with the Smer reissue are that kit’s only saving grace as its said to be criminally inaccurate.

Anyway, the aircraft I want to do was in bare metal finish with white tail, spinner and wing leading edges and according to the instructions served with RAAF 79 Sqn in 1944 and had the squadron code “UP” on one side of the roundel and “?” on the other side of it, the sheet does not have any serial numbers for that aircraft.

Can anyone give me any information on that aircraft and possibly where I could go on the net to find a picture of it? I understand not all RAAF aircraft carried serial numbers, is that the case with this one?

Additionally, was UP-? actually a Vc?

I’ve got Italeri’s more recent 1/72 MK.Vb kit sitting around and I’m wondering what would be involved in upgrading it to a Vc?

I know the Vc incorporated the “Universal Wing” but what exactly is involved in getting the Vb wing to look like a Vc wing and how many of those changes would be discernable at 1/72 anyway?

I’m just building for me here, no competition or anything, so close to the Vc will make me happy, she doesn’t have to be 100% dead on in every aspect.

Thanks in advance

Its strange really, I’ve been modeling for almost 25 years and to date I’ve only built two Spitfires, both 1/48 and both for other people. This is the first time I’ve actually ever had the urge to build a spit for myself.

2

Don’t know if it helps much but “UP” is the squadron code for 79 SQN RAAF and they did fly Vc Spits at one stage.I have a top and side view colour plate of UP-? in camoflage scheme.She is a MK VIII and her rego is A58-543.The ? was substituted for the letter H as 79 SQN had a series of mishaps with H coded Spits.The plate is in Geoffrey Pentlands book RAAF Camouflage and Markings 1939-45 Vol 2.If you are interested I will see if I can scan it and e-mail it.
Hope this helps
Mick

3

G’day,

The RAAF flew a large number Mk Vc’s and 1x Mk Vb the difference between the two versions is the wing cannon blister, from drum to belt feed.
I have a side view of the Mk Vc as 79 Sqn UP-? in BMF if you send me an email, I’ll return the details to you.

4

Thanks guys.

Rob, the e-mail has been sent.

5

If you have a look at the Red Roo website they have several Spitfire Vc decal sets in 1/72 and 1/48. He also does a 1/48 Vc conversion for the Tamiya Vb kit. The decals are in the ‘boring old silver’ area of the decal section of the website.

Up until recently I didn’t have any Spitfires in my collection but now I have two 1/48 kits made and about 6 in the stash all of which will be made into RAAF acft. I’m about to do the Vc conversion for the Vc in 1/48 using the Red Roo conversion.