Spitfire TR.8

In July last year, I picked up a couple of AZ Spitfires at the North Somerset Scale Model Show. I quickly learned, after building the first, that AZ models are an acquired taste, so at least I knew what I was letting myself in for when I picked this rare Spitfire TR.8/9 out of my stash last week.

Rather than go for the 3 options in the box, I decided to finish this kit in the colours of IAC-163, one of 6 two seater Spitfires flown by the Irish Air Corps in the 1950s. 

Interestingly, when this Spitfire was ‘demobbed’ in 1968, it went on to appear in the film “The Battle of Britain”. Then after a spell in the US, it returned to the UK in 2019 to join three other 2 seater IAC Spitfires at ‘Fly a Spitfire’ based at Biggin Hill. 

I love a model’s backstory probably as much as building them

Spitfire HF Mk VI

Finished a ‘simple build’ today of the 1:72 scale AZ Model Spitfire HF Mk VI which was one of the bargain kits I picked up at last Sunday’s show. I was in need of something simple to pass the time while I considered what after market bits, if any, to acquire for a Lancaster I also have on the workbench. 

This is the very unusual, long winged high altitude Spitfire, which I finished in the colours of P/O C.B.Brown’s aircraft of 616 Squadron, RAF Kingscliffe, May 1942. 

In building this kit, I made 3 frustrating mistakes … 

1. Attempting to hand paint acrylics in a heatwave!

2. Not researching a better kit to meet my ‘simple build’ criteria, as this was really quite painful!

3. Choosing to buy this kit in the first place!