Revell’s 1/32 Mk. I/II Spitfire – the old, '60s vintage one, in its more recent ‘Seafire’ release – with a little TLC thrown at it. I used bits from Eduard, Barracudacast and Waldron in the cockpit, with Techmod decals.
Spitfire Mk. II P8385 ‘Impregnable’ flew with No. 303 (Polish) Squadron at Northolt during May-July 1941. This aircraft was credited with at least 6 enemy damaged or destroyed, flown by mutiple squadron pilots, before it was transferred to No. 306 Squadron in mid-July 1941.
I’ve been a huge fan of the Polish squadrons and their courageous pilots since first reading about them as a little shaver…but seeing the big-screen epic “Battle of Britain” in the '60s…with its memorable “Stop that Polish chatter” scene…just cemented that affection forever.
Nice build, Greg! It’s always great to see one of the classic Revell 1/32 kits get built. And yes, I thought of Barry Foster and his Polish pilots immediately, too! “Repit, pliz!”
I don’t want to take up the space here on the forum with “Polish chit chat” (loved that movie) but excellent job on this vintage kit. I love it when a skilled modeler takes their time with one of these older kits and turns it into a stunner! I know that the P-51 Mustang gets all of the attention but in my opinion the British Spitfire, especially the early marks, was the most beautiful/elegant fighter of WWII. Now, is Revell’s 1/32 Hawker Hurricane or their F4U Corsair, both from the late 60s or early 70s, next on your workbench?
NIce job - it’s always good to see a Polish machine here on the forums! I’d like to add that the 303rd transferred to Spitfires after Battle of Britain - before that they flew Hurricanes and had many kills with them. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day
The Spit is often cited…particularly by British commentators, as is entirely understandable…as the most aesthetically-pleasing fighter design, ever. It’s hard to disagree; I love all marks of the Mustang, but to me its ‘look’ is a sleek and efficient well-designed machine…but not a sort of aerial ‘work of art.’ The Spitfire, on the other hand, with its elliptical wing shape and almost fish-like fuselage, is graceful…almost angelic…in a way few other warplanes have ever been.
I have the ‘old’ Hurricane – and a lot of AM detail stuff for it – in the stash.[:D] I last did a super-detailed version of the similar-vintage Corsair in the late '80s – it was literally the ‘Baa Baa Blacksheep’ boxing…but it’s well past time to do another. (I’ve had several Waldron sets all ready for it, all this time!)
I’ll probably do it as Ike Kepford’s bird, since I did Boyington’s…and I just can’t resist that gorgeous 3-tone camouflage scheme!
John, thanks for the heads-up on both films. Hadn’t heard of either, but I’ve got the first bookmarked to watch soon…and I’ll probably end up ordering the second, since it’s dirt-cheap. [:D]
Nice job. I love all the additions you made to the pit.
I built the original '60s release a few years back along with Tamiya’s 32nd scale XIc around the time the movie Dunkirk came out. Always loved those old Revell kits (just completed the Stuka).
Very, very nice! It’s great to be reminded that you don’t have to have the latest, highest tech, most expensive kit to achieve great results. Just good old fashioned modeling skills and patience.
I’ll (narrowly) accept the ‘craftsman’ part…since I’ve been at it for 5+ decades, now…but I categorically reject that I’ve ever been a ‘credit’ to anything…[;)]
