1/48 Airfix / Academy Supermarine Spitfire Mk.21

by Vladimír Žucha

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This is my attempt to build a model kit of one of the last versions of the Spitfire fighter and also my first attempt to publish an article of my model in ARC.

The mk.21 version had a powerful Griffon 65 engine and was the first version of Spitfire using the wing with a laminar profile structure that gave it higher performance ability. This version saw the end of the WWII in Europe and made any fight flights but with no influence to air-war situation. After the war it was used in little number in several RAF units and was quickly replaced by the last version of Spitfire - F22/24 and by the after-war jet fighters.

I combined two model kits - one uncomplete Airfix kit Spitfire F22/24 from which the laminar wing, cooling system and undercarriage were taken and one complete Academy kit Spitfire mk.XIVc from which I used the rest of the complete model of mk.21. No aftermarket parts like photoetched parts or resin accessories were used, all are hand-made. The hard task was to make the area where the fuselage and the wing were matted. I used the Humbrol paints according the RAF WWII schemate. The decals are from Airfix Spitfire F22/24 kit - roundels and fin flash. Stencils are from Tally ho! stencil set for Spitfire mk.V and for Mosquito, serial numbers are from Tally ho! serial number set for RAF WWII, sky coloured code letters DL V are hand made using mask and airbrushing. Weathering is made using a black, white, grey and brown pastel chalks mixed with water.

I'm a fan of the Griffon powered Spitfire versions so I plan to make more kits of these Spitfires in the 1/48 scale.

Click on images below to see larger images

The photos of model were taken by the Olympus Camedia 765. I hope you enjoy the finished model.

Vlado

Photos and text © by Vladimír Žucha