Eduard Spitfire IXc late version ProfiPACK
By Jacob Russell
The Plane
The Supermarine Mk.IX was based on the earlier Mk.V, and it was powered by the 1565 hp Merlin 61 engine. Early Mk.IXs retained the Mk.V's rounded fin and rudder. A total of 5,665 aircraft were produced. There were 3 basic variants, the F Mk.IX (1565 hp Merlin 61 or 1650 hp Merlin 63), LF Mk.IX (1580 hp Merlin 66) and the HF Mk.IX (1475 hp Merlin 70).
The Kit
This is the Profipack boxing of Eduard's Mk.IX, with the 'C' wing. It consists of 219 injection molded parts, molded in gray and clear on 5 sprues, plus a masking set and a photo etch fret containing 23 parts, some of which are pre painted. 55 of the parts are destined for your spares box.
The surplus parts include the broad chord rudder, enlarged pointed wingtips, and "late" elevators with enlarged mass balances.
These parts will be useful on many Spitfire projects. The surface detail is excellent, and the multi piece cockpit in particular comes in for high praise. The wheels are superb.
Even though Brassin wheels are available, the kit wheels are just fine with me. The kit includes 6 different decal options:
"WX-D", LF Mk.IXc, MH712, W/O Henryk Dygala, No. 302 Squadron, Summer/Autumn 1944. The plane had a pointed rudder. It was Dark Green and Ocean Gray over Medium Sea Grey, with a sky fuselage band and spinner, and partially over painted Invasion stripes on the lower fuselage. The lower wings also had Invasion stripes and wing racks for 250 lb. Bombs racks.
"DU-N", HF Mk.IXc, MJ296, F/Lt. Otto Smith, No. 312 Squadron, North Weald Air Base, Late August 1944. This plane was Ocean Gray and Dark Green over Medium Sea Gray, with a sky spinner and fuselage band.
"LO-D", LF Mk.IXc, MJ586, AVM Harry Broadhurst, 1943. Dark Green and Ocean Gray over Medium Sea Grey, with a sky fuselage band and spinner, and partially over painted Invasion stripes on the lower fuselage. The lower wings also had Invasion stripes.
"UF-Q", LF Mk.IXc, MJ250, No.601 Squadron, Italy, summer 1944. This plane was stripped of its camouflage, with the exception of the upper cowling and panels, which were standard Dark Green and Ocean Medium Sea Gray. The spinner was red.
"YO-D", LF Mk.IXc, ML135, Jerry Billing, No. 401 Squadron, Tangmere Air Base, June 7th 1944. Ocean Gray and Dark Green over Medium Sea Gray, with a sky spinner and fuselage band, and full Invasion stripes on both fuselage and wings.
"YO-D", LF Mk.IXc, ML135, Jerry Billing, No. 401 Squadron, France, July 1st 1944. Ocean Gray and Dark Green over Medium Sea Gray, with a sky spinner and fuselage band, and partially over painted Invasion stripes on both fuselage and wings. The name "Dorothy" appeared in yellow below the canopy on the port side only.
The decals are very well printed, in register, and have accurate colors, and there is a separate sheet of stencils. The overall impression of this kit is of an excellent presentation that oozes quality.
Conclusion
This is a superb kit. Many manufacturers have tried and failed to get the Merlin powered Mk.VIII and IX correct (Occidental, Hasegawa, ICM) but Eduard has nailed it with their Merlin powered Spitfire series. It's accurate and well detailed right out of the box, and of course if so inclined, you have Eduard's Brassin enhancements. I recommend this kit, and I would like to thank Eduard for providing the review sample.
References
Modeler's Datafile 3: The Supermarine Spitfire, Part 1: Merlin Powered, by Robert Humphries, SAM Publications, 2000
Spitfire in action, Aircraft No.39, by Jerry Scutts, Squadron/Signal Publications, 1980