Mitchell’s masterpiece inherits Griffon power

Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.

For this week’s blog, we will be returning to our comfort zone and our scale model kit association with arguably the most famous aircraft to have ever taken to the skies, the Supermarine Spitfire. Marking the impending release of our latest kit tribute to Mitchell’s masterpiece, we will be looking at a later variant of the Spitfire, one which was only produced in relatively small quantities, but one which possessed performance far outstripping that of the first examples of this famous aircraft to enter Royal Air Force service. With a new frame of parts to show you and a detailed look behind the two scheme options included with this new kit, we will be looking at our Spitfire F Mk.XVIII, an interesting development of the aircraft which whilst retaining its air fighting prowess, also became a rather effective ground attack platform. It was also one of the machines which traded the purr of the Merlin for the growl of the Griffon.

We will follow this with a rather topical reader supplied model build feature, one which presents the same South Atlantic Sea King in both her embarkation and combat zone presentations - this really is something to look forward to.

Before we begin, we would just like to keep readers informed on a couple of future blog editions we have planned which will be breaking somewhat from our usual format. Whilst we still intend to bring you updates from all the projects which make up the 2022 kit range, we also have one or two ‘Special Editions’ planned, where we will be joining one of our Product Designers, or other members of the Airfix team, to look a little more closely at their roles and to bring you development information we have not previously featured in the blog. We are really looking forward to putting these together and will try to give you as much prior publication notice as possible, so keep checking the blog for details about this.

Right, let’s head out to the model flightline and a certain rocket toting, Griffon powered Spitfire.

In search of the ‘Ultimate’ Spitfire

Is there a more iconic sight in the world of aviation? The Supermarine Spitfire was in production throughout the Second World War, with later variants capable of performance the first Spitfires could only dream of.

When it comes to the subject of military aviation, there are few aircraft types which can claim to have gone on to become household names across large parts of the world following their introduction and even fewer which are as instantly recognisable today as they were during their service careers. One icon of the aviation world which satisfies both of these criteria, the Supermarine Spitfire is commemorating the 86th anniversary of the first flight of prototype K5054 this year and with newly restored examples joining the Warbird scene on an almost annual basis, the enduring legacy of this magnificent fighting aeroplane is one which shows no sign of ending any time soon.

On 5th March 1936, the Supermarine company airfield at Eastleigh, near Southampton, was to play host to one of the most significant events in the history of British aviation. As Vickers Supermarine’s chief test pilot Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers strapped himself into the cockpit of their Type 300 interceptor prototype K5054, he knew that he would be taking one of the most advanced aircraft the world had ever seen into the air for the first time. During a brief eight minute flight, the aircraft showed so much promise, that on landing, Summers reputedly told the engineers waiting to greet him on the ground ‘Don’t touch a thing!’ These few words heralded the start of an aviation phenomenon and the story of an aircraft which looked far too beautiful to take part in the horrors of war, but one which would go on to be regarded as the saviour of the British nation in her darkest hour of need.

The Supermarine Type 300 was eventually given the name ‘Spitfire’ and with it, embarked on a glittering service career, with first production Spitfire being delivered to RAF No.19 Squadron at Duxford on 4th August 1938. The squadron would receive further Spitfires at a rate of approximately one new aircraft each week until taking the notable accolade of being the first operational RAF Squadron equipped with this incredible new fighter aircraft. They had previously been operating the Gloster Gauntlet biplane fighter and whilst this was an extremely capable fighting aeroplane in its own right, it could hardly have been more different to a Spitfire. This biplane fighter featured an open cockpit, fixed undercarriage and a radial engine which propelled the fighter to a then impressive 230 mph. The new Spitfire was a sleek, fast monoplane design, with a fully enclosed cockpit, retractable undercarriage and eight wing mounted machine guns. Significantly, it was over 130 mph faster than their previous fighter, representing a quantum leap in aviation performance terms, but posing more than a few challenges for the unit’s young pilots.

The Spitfire would go on to become arguably the most famous (fighter) aircraft of all time, displaying its pedigree during the savage dogfights of the Battle of Britain, before going on to serve valiantly in every theatre of conflict during the Second World War.  Produced in more numbers than any other British combat aircraft, the basic Spitfire airframe proved to be so adaptable that the aircraft saw significant upgrade and improvement throughout its sixteen year service life, something which allowed the fighter to be in constant production throughout the Second World War. Using what was essentially the same basic airframe, the last of the Spitfires were producing more than double the power of the first machines, with its maximum take-off weight and rate of climb also doubling. 

The graceful, sweeping lines of the beautiful and distinctive Supermarine Spitfire sometimes make it difficult to imagine that this was actually one of the most deadly fighting aeroplanes the world has ever seen.  She also came to stand for Britain’s defiance in the face of overwhelming adversity and the nation’s prowess in the field of aeronautical excellence - the Spitfire is as iconic today, as she was ground breaking when she first took to the skies 86 years ago this month. 

A model association - Airfix and the Spitfire have a proud modelling connection which goes all the way back to our first model kit in 1955.

In the world of plastic modelling, the many aviation achievements and accolades bestowed on the Supermarine Spitfire have ensured a popularity in the scale model world which is probably unparalleled in the hobby and as design and manufacturing technologies continue to evolve, the Spitfire still continues to attract the attention of modellers and model manufacturing companies alike. From an Airfix perspective, the names Spitfire and the Airfix logo go together like a hand in glove, Britain’s most famous aircraft and its association with the country’s best loved model hobby brand. Many Workbench readers will know that the first aircraft kit ever produced by Airfix was a model of a Spitfire back in 1955 and since that date, Spitfire kits have always been amongst the most popular releases in any of our respective model ranges. With ever more accurate and detail rich scale kit representations of the aircraft having been continually developed by our designers over the past 65 years, covering several different scales and marks, it seems as if the modelling world continues to have an enduring fascination for all things Spitfire.

Continuing our own enduring Spitfire story, we exclusively announced our latest tribute to Mitchell’s masterpiece when unveiling our impressive new 1/24th scale Spitfire IXc kit at our Spitfire: An icon in Airfix event at Duxford in early January, but as we are about to see, this was not the only new or re-introduced Spitfire kit to join the current Airfix ranks this year.

The Spitfire inherits Griffon power

Our new 1/48th scale Spitfire F Mk.XVIII kit features this stunning box artwork and a scene depicting two RAF No.60 Squadron aircraft operating during the Malayan Emergency.

In order to maintain the Spitfire’s combative edge in the ever evolving struggle for aerial supremacy, the design team at Vickers Supermarine Aviation Limited were asked to marry the latest high-powered Rolls Royce aero engine with their relatively diminutive Spitfire airframe. The mighty 37 litre Griffon V-12 engine was actually developed in response to a Fleet Air Arm request to produce a more powerful version of the Merlin engine, one intended to power a new breed of naval aircraft designs, such as the Fairey Firefly. The new design would negotiate development without too many problems, which resulted in an experimental engine being available by late 1939. 

The new Griffon engine was first installed and flight tested in a Spitfire airframe in 1942 with the Mk.IV, using a variant of the powerplant which featured a single stage supercharger. The first Griffon powered Spitfire to enter Royal Air Force service was the Mk.XII, but as we have a 1/48th scale model kit of this important variant of the fighter in the current range, we will be looking at this mark in greater detail in a future edition of the blog.

The adoption of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine would provide the Spitfire with a significant increase in performance, but not without presenting both Supermarine designers and pilots converting to Spitfires powered by the new engine with a few challenges. Installation of the new engine in the existing Spitfire airframe required a redesign of both the front and rear sections of the aircraft and was dominated by the use of a distinctive five bladed Rotol propeller. Pilots who had previous experience flying Merlin engined versions of the Spitfire would find the Griffon engine turned the propeller in the opposite direction, so just as earlier versions of the aircraft tended to veer to the left on take-off (and require corrective rudder input from the pilot), Griffon powered machines would pull even more noticeably in the opposite direction. If a converting pilot initially forgot this change in procedure and applied their usual corrective inputs during take-off, their first flight in a Griffon powered Spitfire might be a short and rather eventful one. 

The new kit will feature this additional frame of parts, allowing this aggressive ground attack variant of the Spitfire to be modelled.

The Spitfire Mk.XVIII was visually almost identical to the Mk.XIV which preceded it into Royal Air Force service, but was in actual fact a very different aeroplane. The result of Supermarine’s desire to develop their ‘Super Spitfire’, the Mk.XVIII required quite a major re-design, combining the awesome power of the Rolls Royce Griffon engine with the Spitfire Mk.VIII airframe and a newly designed mainplane. The Type 394s new strengthened wing incorporated ‘E’ wing armament and a host of other improvements, such as several cockpit enhancements for the pilot, increased fuel carrying capacity and strengthened wings, allowing the fighter to carry either rockets or bombs in addition to its cannon and machine gun armament.

Our new 1/48th scale Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.XVIII features an impressive new frame of parts incorporating the additional ground attack offensive armament this mark of Spitfire introduced, both bombs and unguided rockets. Let’s now take a look at the two appealing scheme options which will accompany the release of this beautiful new kit.

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.XVIII TP222/B, RAF No.60 Squadron, Air Command Far East, Royal Air Force Kuala Lumpur, British Malaya, 1947.

Arriving just too late to see combat during the Second World War, the first F Mk.XVIII Spitfire was delivered to the limited facilities at Supermarine’s High Post aerodrome near Salisbury on 8th June 1945, a site they used for limited production and experimental flying activities. From there, the aircraft was sent to nearby Boscombe Down and the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment where it underwent official flight trials prior to squadron acceptance. Due to the timing of delivery and the end of the war in Europe, many of these new and extremely powerful Spitfires would go straight into storage following delivery and when finally issued to squadrons, would serve mainly with Nos 32 and 208 Squadrons in the Middle East and Nos 11, 28, 60 and 81 Squadrons in the Far East.

RAF No.60 Squadron served throughout the Second World War in the Far Eastern Theatre, initially as a Blenheim equipped strike unit based in Singapore and later re-equipping with ground attack configured Hawker Hurricanes. In 1946, the squadron transferred back to Singapore where pilots underwent conversion to the powerful Spitfire F Mk.XVIII, aircraft which they would go on to use successfully in a ground attack role during the Malayan Emergency. This conflict saw RAF units playing a fulsome role in combined Commonwealth actions attempting to quell the guerrilla activities of the Communist backed Malayan National Liberation Army. Using the extended range and new ground attack capabilities of this latest incarnation of the famous Spitfire, the unit’s aircraft would loiter high above the jungle, waiting to unleash a withering barrage of rocket and cannon fire on enemy positions, once in receipt of targeting instructions from Commonwealth troops engaged on the ground. With Britain now in the jet age, these ‘ultimate Spitfires’ were ultimately to be replaced by de Havilland Vampire jets by the end of 1951, leaving the situation in Malaya to rumble on for a further eight years of conflict, but with the growl of the Griffon replaced by the whine of a Goblin.

Full scheme details for this ‘Super Spitfire’ and an aircraft which was deployed during the Malayan Emergency.

No.60 Squadron would have the ultimate distinction of flying both the first and last Spitfire Mk.XVIII fighters in the Far East. Their first aircraft arrived at Seletar in crates and were assembled and test flown from this important RAF station in short order, before providing the unit with a significant offensive upgrade. During the Malayan Emergency, the squadron’s Spitfires would sport distinctive yellow and black stripes on the front of their engine cowlings, positioned just behind the spinner, which aided with recognition when operation over jungle terrain. The last sortie carried out by a 60 Squadron Spitfire F Mk.XVIII took place on New Year’s Day 1951, just prior to the unit fully converting to the de Havilland Vampire jet.

Possessing blistering performance, the Spitfire F Mk.XVIII was a wonderful aircraft to fly, but definitely needed treating with the utmost respect. With the tremendous power generated by its Rolls Royce Griffon engine and the torque the massive five bladed Rotol propeller induced, even when applying full opposite rudder, a pilot would find it almost impossible to keep the fighter on a forward facing track if using maximum power during take-off. Once in the air however, it was a fast and responsive aircraft which was described as having few (if any) vices and as this variant of Britain’s famous piston engined fighter featured a clever automatic throttle and boost setting controller, the pilot was effectively able to sit back and almost let the aircraft fly itself, whilst he waited for his latest targeting information to be transmitted.

Although clearly of limited use during the Malayan Emergency, this version of the Spitfire was also said to be a superb aerobatic performer, with ample power to spare even at altitudes above 40,000 feet, attributes which helped it live up to its ‘Super Spitfire’ billing. This particular machine was the subject of some fascinating and unusually clear photographs where it was involved in a ground handling prop strike incident with a Bristol Beaufighter whilst operating during the Malayan Emergency. It is seen wearing the distinctive markings featured in this exact scheme option, but with damaged wing and propeller blades, looks as if it wouldn’t be bothering the Communist rebels for some time to come. TP222 was built at the Aldermaston factory in late 1945 and delivered to the RAF at No.39 Maintenance Unit Colerne during February 1946. She is logged as being scrapped just a few short years later on 10th November 1950, but only after her active service in the Far East.

Supermarine Spitfire F.XVIII HS877, Western Air Command HQ, Indian Air Force, Delhi, India, 1947.

The Indian Air Force began their association with Britain’s most famous fighting aeroplane relatively late, recognised as one of the last Commonwealth Air Forces to be equipped with the Spitfire. Only receiving their first Spitfires in October 1944, it would be June the following year before most units received their Spitfires and this was as a result of Indian based Royal Air Force units disbanding and handing their aircraft to the IAF under a loan agreement. Other aircraft were either placed in storage, or unceremoniously scrapped, something which seems incredulous when the Indian Air Force could have made good use of them. To illustrate this fact, No.34 Squadron handed their PR.XI aircraft to the RIAF in August 1946, however, rather than do the same with their more capable PR.XIX machines the following year, they elected to scrap these otherwise perfectly serviceable aircraft.

Former RAF aircraft in Indian Air Force service initially retained their original serial numbers, however, following partition of the nation, the aircraft were officially taken over by the IAF, with their serials replaced with new ones, using HS batch codes. This act makes it generally quite challenging when attempting to research individual aircraft histories, however, it is clear that the Spitfire was an important type for the Indian Air Force in transition, even though the world was entering the jet age at that stage in history. Some IAF Spitfires did see action during the first Indo-Pakistani War, although by this time, the force had already started operating the Hawker Tempest Mk.II fighter. IAF Spitfires were mainly withdrawn from service by 1955, with only two squadrons continuing to use the type for a further two years or so.

Something just that little bit different, this Griffon powered Spitfire looks stunning in this minimalist Indian Air Force scheme.

The particular aircraft presented here was originally constructed by Vickers Supermarine during 1945 and allocated the RAF serial SM969. Taken on charge with the Royal Air Force on 30th August 1945, it was prepared for transportation to India, arriving in Karachi in early February 1946, at a time of great change in the region. Not long after her arrival, flight testing and squadron allocation, RAF squadrons in India disbanded, handing many of their aircraft to the Indian Air Force under a loan agreement - SM969 was allocated to No. 6 Squadron Royal Indian Air Force at Ranchi air base.

It appears that the aircraft was damaged in a landing accident following the completion of an aerobatic display routine at Ranchi on 20th December 1946, with the damage being so severe that it needed to be sent back to the UK. Arriving at No.47 Maintenance Unit at Sealand, it appears that the aircraft was later sold to a private buyer, although it is not known if this was prior to it undergoing works to return it to airworthy condition. What is known is that this private owner would later re-sell the fighter back to the Indian Air Force, where following partition, it was given the new Indian serial HS877. The aircraft’s service history with the IAF remains something of a mystery, however it would end its days serving as a gate guardian at HQ Western Air Command at Delhi.

After finally being retired from gate guardian duty, the Spitfire headed back to the UK once more, destined for a further restoration programme in the hands of a famous Warbird collector. It flew again for the first time in October 1985 and since then has had to spells in the US and time with the Duxford based Fighter Collection between 2006 and 2008. She is currently thought to be in America once more, maintained in good condition, although it is not known if she has a current certificate of airworthiness.

A kit which will allow the modeller to continue their scale tribute to the legacy of the most famous fighting aeroplane the world has ever known, this time building one of only 300 of a variant described by many as the ‘Super Spitfire’.

In these striking Indian Air Force markings, this scheme helps to describe a relatively unknown chapter in the fascinating Spitfire story and the unusual history of a well-travelled example of this late variant Griffon powered fighter. The Spitfire is such a beautiful design that it would look good in any scheme, and even though these IAF colours appear rather simple in comparison to the more traditional colours which feature on the alternative scheme option, a built model finished in these markings would be a real conversation starter. Silver or camouflage, the scheme finish choice is yours.

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.XVIII is on track for a late Spring/early Summer release and is a stunning 1/48th scale representation of a late mark Spitfire, one which may have only been produced in relatively low numbers, but one which has been described as Supermarine’s ‘Super Spitfire’.

King of the sea, Falklands style

Workbench reader Jonathan Read-Bone made this appealing tribute to a Falklands Sea King helicopter having been inspired by stories and photographs of a friend who served during the conflict. 

There is nothing quite like bringing a Workbench blog to a close by featuring the prestigious modelling talents of one of our many readers and we are delighted to say we have something really special to share this time. During one of our recent modelling social media site preambles, we came across a pair of Westland Sea King model builds which captivated us and prompted us to attempt to make contact with their creator. As we have discovered on many previous occasions, there is always a fascinating story behind every model build project, whether that be the inspiration behind the build itself, or the personal modelling journey of its creator - this particular contribution delivered on both of these counts.

Having made initial contact with the creator of the post, we waited with bated breath for a response, as we really wanted to feature these models within the blog and would never dream of doing so without gaining permission beforehand. We didn’t have to wait long and were delighted to receive a positive response from Mr Jonathan Read-Bone, along with this impressive selection of images. Jonathan also kindly supplied us with some background to this build and his own modelling experiences, which like many people, have been subject to quite some change over the past couple of years.

Jonathan informed us that he has been a keen scale modeller since his childhood back in the 1970s and since that time, has usually had the odd one or two models put on one side in case of a rainy day. As was probably the case with many a modeller returning to the hobby after life, work and family provided plenty of distractions, the opportunity to engage in a period of more concerted modelling activity arose approximately two years ago and whilst he himself was not subject to a furlough situation, he did find himself with more time on his hands at the weekends. Quickly working through his modest stash of kits, the experience re-kindled his passion for the hobby and in the months since, has been somewhat prolific, completing over 100 build projects, 75% of which must have been Airfix kits. During this truly enjoyable journey, Jonathan told us that he learned much from fellow modellers via the online channels of Facebook and Instagram, and being a very keen cyclist into the bargain, decided to adopt the nom de plume of 'Tour de Airfix’ for his on-line modelling exploits. 

Jonathan’s stunning Falklands Sea King tribute included versions of the same helicopter as embarked prior to sailing for the South Atlantic and after having low visibility markings applied.

On to the subject of his Sea King builds, Jonathan informed us that the project took inspiration from two different but slightly linked sources. Firstly, a very good cycling friend of his served as an electronics engineer with No.824 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), working on the anti-submarine Westland HAS.2 Sea Kings. During the lead up to the Falklands War, he sailed with two Sea King helicopters (No. 50 & 55) on Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Olmeda, assigned the crucial task of protecting the fleet from Argentine submarine attack. His stories and photographs from the period served as inspiration for Jonathan to build one of his Sea Kings, aircraft No.55, which he did last year, presenting it to his friend as a birthday gift.
 
Secondly, the modelling club he is a member of, ISCA Model Club (Exeter), decided at the start of this year to undertake a group build to commemorate the impending 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War, with members making as many aircraft, helicopters, ships and land vehicle kits as possible in time for April's local Model Show in Yeovil. Having enjoyed building the Sea King the year before, Jonathan decided that his contribution would be the other of the two 824 NAS Sea Kings (No.50) aboard Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Olmeda.

Jonathan also told us of an interesting backstory regarding both of these Falklands Sea Kings. With the withdrawal of all Argentine naval forces in the region and following the destruction of the Army’s helicopters aboard the Atlantic Conveyor, the two No.824 NAS Sea Kings were stripped of their anti-submarine equipment and reassigned to heavy lifting duties, which would include the unloading and delivery of supplies, troop deployments and the transportation of POWs. 

The two models Jonathan built were Airfix Westland Sea King HAS.3 Sea Starter Set Kits, with modifications made to remove the rear Perspex bubble windows, use only 3 and not 5 wire aerial posts, the fitting of a larger nose aerial, together with a number other small changes, which included the use of new decals. The reason he decided to make two models of the same helicopter, was that whilst en-route to the Falkland Islands, the helicopter had to be prepared for frontline service. All existing squadron markings were painted out, the white serial numbers re-applied in black and the national roundels modified to the red and blue low visibility type. 

A fascinating Falklands tribute, Jonathan’s dual Sea King build not only looks fantastic, it also tells a fascinating story as we head towards the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

As a consequence, when the Navy Sea Kings sailed on 5th April 1982, they looked like the lower model positioned on the deck, the one with the rotor blades in the folded back position. By 1st May, on entering the British Exclusion Zone set around the Falkland Islands, they began operations in the new low visibility colours used on the Sea King model Jonathan modelled in flight configuration.

We think this is a really impressive build, with a back-story which reminds us just why this fantastic hobby keeps us all coming back for more, time and time again. We would like to thank Jonathan for letting us have the details behind his dual Sea King build and for supplying us with this stunning selection of images which definitely show them in all their glory. With the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War now only days away, could there be a more topical modelling way in which to end an edition of our Workbench blog? 

Thanks again Jonathan.

That’s all we have for you in this latest edition of Workbench, but we will be back as usual next Friday with more modelling news, updates and exclusive imagery from the fascinating world of Airfix. If you have any comments in connection with the blog, or would like to suggest a subject to be covered in a future edition, please do drop us a quick line using our workbench@airfix.com e-mail address. The Airfix team would be only too pleased to hear from you.

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As always, thank you for continuing to support our Airfix Workbench blog.

The Airfix Workbench Team