Malta Spitfire Vs – 1942: Their Colours and Markings
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Brian Cauchi
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
ISBN: 978-83-61421-79-5
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 168
The island of Malta was a major target in the Mediterranean, and the defense of the island was paramount to maintaining control of the region. Initially defended by Gladiators and Hurricanes, the arrival of Spitfires marked a shift in air superiority over the island. This newest title from Mushroom Model Publications focuses on those Spitfires and their fascinating camouflages.
While there have been plenty of books written on the defense of Malta, the author has decided to take a slightly different approach, examining the camouflage and markings of the Spitfires of Malta. These aircraft wore some of the most interesting schemes found on Spitfires, with little in the way of firm verification of the actual colors used. The book features an in-depth written discussion on the different schemes, and this discussion is further accentuated through the ample usage of photos. Taking all of that information together, the book presents the colors and markings in a series of color profiles.
As an example of how all of this information is presented, the documentation of BR246, a Spitfire VC(T) from 249 Squadron is depicted in a photo and a color profile. The text provides the general history of the aircraft, while the profile caption provides detailed yet vague color information. I say vague because nothing has been documented as to the exact colors used. In this example, the text notes that the "heavily weathered aircraft was overpainted in a single medium shade probably on board the USS Wasp", and since that was a US Navy aircraft, surmises that the color was non-specular blue gray. Many of the aircraft covered here are presented in similar vague descriptions, but the research is very logical and the results are very likely the correct interpretation of the colors and markings.
For anyone interested in the air war in the Mediterranean or interesting Spitfire camouflages, this is an excellent book to have. My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.