Eduard 1/144 Spitfire Naši se vracejí ('The Boys are Back')
By Matt Bittner
Naši se vracejí basically means "The Boys are Back" and is used to commemorate the anniversary of Czechoslovak fighter squadrons – and pilots – returning home from the United Kingdom after fighting during World War II. Eduard first released this limited edition set back in 2013 but in 1/48. This time they have come out with a limited edition but in 1/144. Unfortunately not everything included with the 1/48 set is included in the 1/144 boxing. In addition the number of schemes the 1/144 release comes with pales by comparison to its 1/48 "grandfather", which is a shame. A shame to treat 1/144 "less than" 1/48 regardless of its size. But even so this is a decent release. There are four 1/144 Spitfire Mk.IXs in the box and you receive markings for one Mk.IXc with the early, rounded rudder; the rest of the markings are for the later, pointed rudder.
Four of the marking options use the unclipped wing from the sprue labeled 'E' while the other four marking-options use the clipped wing from the sprue labeled 'C'. Also based on the markings you'll need to modify the size of the guns on the wing; again, pay close attention to the instructions.
While the kit does come with masks it does not come with any photoetch. Be aware that not only does Eduard provide their own fret of separate photoetch for the kit but so does Brengun. In addition RetroWings has a resin cockpit that can also be used to spruce up the kit (out-of-the-box the kit has NO cockpit what-so-ever). Plus Brengun also has vacuum-formed canopies as well. There are also masks for the camouflage put out by JBr Decals.
Since the plastic is the same across all releases of their 1/144 kits I will point you to one of my builds. The markings are for the following aircraft:
- LF Mk.IXc, MJ291, F/O Otto Smik, No 312 Sqn, Mendlesham, early 1944
- LF Mk.IXc, MJ931, F/O Ladislav Svetlik, No 312 Sqn, January-June, 1944
- HF Mk.IXc, ML171, W/Cdr Tomas Vbiral, No 312 Sqn, North Weald, September 1944
- LF Mk.IXc, MJ449, F/Lt Frantisek Truhlar, No 312 Sqn, Appledram, June 1944
- LF Mk.IXe, SL628, pplk. Jaroslav Hlado, Praha-Ruzyne airfield August 13th 1945
- LF Mk.IXe, TE527, skpt. Hugo Nrbacek, CO of No 312 Sqn, Praha-Ruzyne airfield, August 13th 1945
- LF Mk.IXe, Te554, Air Regiment 10, Praha-Ruzyne airfield, spring 1946
- LF Mk.IXe, Te515, CO Flight of 2nd Air Division, June-December 1948
Conclusion
I've always felt the Eduard 1/144 Spitfire Mk.IXs are excellent kits and build up well. With this release you receive a number of aircraft that were flown by Czech pilots, either during WWII or immediately after the war. Even though it doesn't include everything that comes with its larger "grandfather", 1/48 release, it's still a worthwhile purchase.
I definitely thank Eduard for supplying the review boxing.