APC Decals Spitfire Mk.I Early
By Matt Bittner
Overview
One thing I like to do is look for the unusual when it comes to modeling. Be it an unusal model, a different sub-type or an unusual marking scheme, I enjoy the "different". This time the unusual is a Spitfire Mk.I finished as a Czech-flown machine, very early before the start of World War II.
The Decals
The markings supplied by APC Decals for this Spitfire Mk.I is for one specific Mk.I "Early". Here's the explanation from the APC Decals instruction sheet:
"After the signing of the Munich Agreement and the annexation of the Sudentenland to Germany, the Luftwaffe began violating borders and dropping leaflets over the truncated terriory of Czechoslovakia. Our air force did not have any suitable machine to capture these intruders. Despite insufficient support from the Allies in the Munich events, the Czechoslovak Republic turned to Great Britain again for help. Great Britain lent five new Spitfire Mk.I aircraft to the Czechoslovak Republic as compensation for the lost territories under the so-called Munich loan. The machines were transported to Czechoslovakia disassembled in containers and assembled in the Aero factory under the guidance of English specialists. Spitfires were delivered in standard RAF color without marking, only with serial numbers on the fuselage and wings. The camounfalge was complemented by ocher paint and the machines received Czechoslovak roundels and squadron designation. The entire squadron was assigned to Hradec Králové to the 4th Air Regiment. The deployment of Spitfires was short but successful. Although they did not achieve any confirmed victory, but the viloation of our airspace ceased. At the end of February 1939, four Spitfires were returned to Great Britain, the fifth machine was damaged in an accident and remained due to the needs of investigating the incided in Hradec."
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The decals are for serial K9793 and contain no only the serials but also Czech roundels and aircraft markings. They appear to be in register and are very nicely printed. Note that these decals are available in 1/144, 1/72 and 1/48 scales.
If you're looking for a uniquely-marked Spitfire then this one is definitely one to be considered. With the addition of ochre it makes for a definitely different looking Spitfire.
Huge thanks to APC Decals for the review sample.