Modellers anticipating Border Model’s forthcoming 1/35 Spitfire Mk.Vb can already secure aftermarket markings, thanks to Euro Decals.
Border Model caused something of a stir when it posted online an announcement about its new 1/35 Spitfire MK.Vb. The kit is still in its development stages, but if you’re keen to own it once released - and are open to alternative schemes - then you’ll be thankful for Euro Decals’ new selection of liveries. Offering 11 schemes in total via sheet ED-35001, Euro Decals is certainly ensuring variety.
Early and later Day Fighter camouflage is represented, but there are markings for an overall black night-fighter, plus the desert tones of Dark Earth, Middle Stone and Azure Blue. Fans of Malta-based Spitfires can celebrate too, as there’s an example of that arena’s adapted paint colours too. Notably, four of the Spitfires represented by Euro Decals have Vokes/Aboukir tropical filters, but at this stage we don't know if Border’s kit will be so equipped. Also, one of the airframes shown on Euro’s accompanying instructions appears to be a Mk.Vc Trop (as stated in Morgan and Shacklady’s Spitfire The History), meaning the wing detail would be different. Again, it is unclear thus far if Border will provide a Mk.Vc with tropical filter. Clipped wings are evident on four examples. Euro Decals’ options are:
• LF Mk.Vb, BL415/AZ-B, Flt Lt Walt ‘Johnnie’ Johnston, 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, RAF Deanland, June 6, 1944
• Mk.Vb Trop, ER228/ZX-S, 145 Squadron, Egypt, 1942
• Mk.Vb, W3458/YQ-X, Flt Lt Les ‘Buck’ Casson, 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, RAF Tangmere, August 9, 1941
• Mk.Vb, EP464/NN-E, 310 (Czech) Squadron, RAF Exeter, July 1942
• Mk.Vb Trop (actually a Mk.Vc Trop. Ed), JK792/WR-O, 40 Squadron South African Air Force, Italy, 1944
• Mk.Vb, W3458/JU-E, 111 Squadron, RAF North Weald, October 1941
• Mk.Vb, EP254/DW-B, Sqn Ldr J E ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, OC 610 (County of Chester) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, RAF West Malling, August 19, 1942
• LF Mk.Vb, EP644/RY-S, 313 (Czech) Squadron, RAF Churchstanton, March 1943
• Mk.Vb Trop, AB254/GN-H, 249 Squadron, Ta ‘Qali, Malta, 1942
• Mk.Vb, ER622/WR-D, 40 Squadron South African Air Force, Gabes, Tunisia, North Africa, April 1943
• Mk.Vb, BL753/YO-H LEOLA, Plt Off Don Blakeslee, 401 ‘Ram’ Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, RAF Gravesend, May 1942
Read about Euro Decals' new 1/48 Corsair and Wildcat markings
Regardless of what the actual kit is like when it does arrive, this is a splendid array of aftermarket schemes, with heaps of variety. The problem will lie in which livery to employ, as all are interesting in their own right... and could result in multiple kit purchases! The sheet costs £29.95 and is available direct from Fantasy Printshop.
