Product #60320 (http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM60320)
from HobbyLink Japan (http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist.cgi?rel=nav&GenreCode=Air)
History –
Tests early in 1942 proved that the
Merlin 61 powered Spitfire was the answer to replace the outdated Spitfire Mk.V.
This couldn’t come sooner as September 1941, saw the introduction on the Fw190
which out performed Spitfire Mk.V. Work began on redesigning the Spitfire
airframe to take the a new and heavier and more powerful engine. This work would
produce the pressurized Mk.VII and the unpressurized Mk VIII Spitfires. These
aircraft were expected to be the answer to the Fw 190 threat. The Mk VIII
featured a strengthened fuselage with a retractable tail wheel. Each wing
carried a 14-gallon self sealing fuel tank, and the main fuselage fuel tank was
increased in size to 96 gallons. These changes gave the Mk VIII the same range
as the Mk V, although as this distance was achieved at a higher speed, the Mk
VIII could stay in the air for less time than the Mk V. Most Mk VIIIs used a new
broad-chord, or pointed-tip rudder. The Mk VIII used the “c” wing armament
(four cannon or two cannon and two machine guns) and could carry up to 1,000lbs
of bombs. 1,657 Mk VIIIs were produced in all. The success of the Mk IX reduced
the importance of the Mk VIII. Although the first production model was completed
in November 1942, it took until June 1943 for the first squadron to be equipped
with the model. One reason for the delay was that it had been decided to use the
Mk VIII in the Mediterranean and Far East, and so the first squadron to use it
was No. 145, based on Malta. By the summer of 1943 the crisis in the
Mediterranean was in the past, and the Mk VIII saw most of its service during
the invasion of Italy, often in a ground attack role.
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images below to see larger images
The Kit –
Tamiya follows up their ground
breaking Mk. IX Spitfire with the Mk. VIII. This is the first time that the
Mk.VIII has been injection-molded in 1/32 scale. The box is presented
beautifully with artwork of Lt. Bill Skinner’s 308th Fighter Squadron USAAF
machine, Lonesome Polecat and the Supermarine Spitfire title printed in embossed
shinny gold text. The box contains 16 sprue’s of medium grey plastic; 1 sprue
of clear plastic, and one of black which contains the in-flight display stand.
Another sprue of black rubber carries the tyres for both options of wheels up
and down. All the larger sprue’s are individually packed into their own
plastic bags. All the smaller items, being the 2 sheets of photo etch frets,
rods for the movable surfaces, nuts, screws, magnets and of course those
fantastically moulded engine cowls . But wait! There is more... Also included is
a 16 page reference guide, a glossy colour guide for the USAAF machine, 2 decal
sheets that contains the unit markings for the 3 aircraft and stencils required
for one airframe. Plus a huge instruction guide with 72 construction stages.
I would say most modelers would have
seen Tamiya’s first Spitfire Mk.IX release, there aren’t too many
changes within this kit but there is a total of 3 new sprue’s included for
this boxing of the Mk.VIII. These sprue’s include the extended wing tip parts,
the re-tractable tail wheel and the larger 90 gallon slipper drop tank.
As mentioned before the kit hasn’t
changed much but still has all those cool features that was introduced in the
Mk.IX kit. The engine cowlings are molded in the incredibly thin 0.4mm thickness
again for that scale effect. The removable cowls also keep the magnet feature to
hold them onto the model. The newly tooled retractable tail wheel also feature
this magnet feature on both options of assembly.
The Merlin engine that Tamiya has
include is small project on its own that builds up to a fantastic model by
itself. Built straight out of the box offers fantastic detail. Or if the modeler
wishes to go a bit crazy and add wiring and plumbing, whether its supplied by a
aftermarket manufacturer or added from scratch, the results are well worth the
work. There is also no Rolls Royce name plate on the rocker covers, but the
aftermarket guys have this covered already. It may pay to check your references,
as Packard built Merlin’s did not have the name plate on the rocker covers.
The cockpit detail is superb out of
the box, but lacks the wiring and control cables to some of the components,
which very is visible in this scale . Some good cockpit reference shots and some
building materiel any level of modeler should be able to add these details to
the cockpit area. Again the aftermarket guys are offering some great items that
are worth checking out if you want to add a bit more. A seated pilot figure in
full flying setup is also offered, but the detail is a tad soft on some of the
areas of the figure. Some people may disagree with me here, but I found it hard
to paint the same figure that is supplied in the Mk.IX kit, due to some of the
detail. A standing figure is also included, and which has better detail.
The detail of the kit, has to be one
of the best that is on offer on the market today. Tamiya surly raised the bar
with this Spitfire tooling. The kit features very crisp panel lines and subtle
rivet lines. There is no sign of flash or sink marks, ejector pins have been
placed in areas that won't be seen. Tamiya have also added all the sprue
attachments on all the major exterior on surfaces that will be will be
cleaned up during the build process. The ailerons, elevators and rudder are
fitted with metal hinges to make them movable. Flaps may be posed open or closed
and alternate parts are also supplied to display the undercarriage retracted or
extended.
The decals are well printed and in
perfect register. They also appear to be a lot thinner than the Mk.IX release.
Tamiya have supplied 3 decal options for this kit as they did with the Mk.IX,
and they are:
-
Wing Commander ‘Bobby’
Gibbes, No.80 Wing, RAAF Morotai Island, Dutch East Indies, 1945
-
No.417 Squadron, RCAF,
Marcianaise, Italy, 1944
-
Lt. Bill Skinner, 308th Fighter
Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 15th Air Force, USAF, Castel Volturno, Italy,
February 1944
Overall, this kit is fantastic
straight from the box and any level of modeler should be able to tackle the task
of assembling this kit. I am currently slowly building the Mk.IX release and it
been a joy to build, so far. I am sure the Mk.VII will surely be the same.
I would like to thank HobbyLink
Japan (www.hlkj.com)
for this review sample.
Dave Johnson
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