Airfix Model World – July 2018

IN FOCUS

LATE-MARK SPITFIRES

IN FOCUS

LATE-MARK SPITFIRES

48 Airfi x Model World

Originally a Mk.22, Spitfire Mk.24 PK515 banks to display the new wing shape of

the late and final production Spitfires. The four-cannon wing armament is also

evident. (All Key Collection unless stated)

I

t was testimony to the

outstanding design and

capabilities of the Supermarine

Spitfire that the type was

in service, and production,

throughout World War Two.

Outline work on what specifically

became the Spitfire had taken

place during the 1930s, with the

prototype famously making its first

flight in March 1936. Significant

manufacture of many production

versions and vitally important

frontline service followed, with the

basic layout as conceived by RJ

Mitchell and his fellow designers

holding good for many years.

However, by the later stages of

the war, the type had evolved in

terms of available power with the

introduction of the Rolls-Royce

Griffon engine, to replace the

celebrated Merlin powerplant.

Redesigned wing

A consequence of this evolution

was a major transformation

in the Spitfire’s basic layout,

Malcolm V Lowe tells the story of the

final Supermarine Spitfire post-war

production versions

FOUR-GUN

CONCLUSION

The first production Spitfire Mk.22,

PK312, formates with Mk.21s

(including LA217) to show its

different, cut-down fuselage shape;

PK312 was delivered in March 1945.