Eduard 1/48 Spitfire Mk.VIII Over Pacific Decals
By Jacob Russell
This exciting decal sheet covers 4 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII in service during 1944-1945. The aircraft are as follows:
1) "RG * V", A58-602, flown by W/C Bobby Gibbes, CO of No. 80 Wing, Morotai, April 1945. This colorful "Grey Nurse" shark-mouth Mk.VIII was Ocean Gray and Dark Green over Medium Sea Gray with a white fuselage band and red spinner. The fuselage, fin, rudder and horizontal stabilizers aft of the fuselage band are painted RAAF Foliage Green on the upper surfaces and RAAF Sky Blue on the lower surfaces.
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2) "ZF * Z", A58-379, flown by F/L David Glaser, No. 549 Squadron, Strauss Airstrip, September 1944. This Mk.VIII was painted Silver with a black anti-glare panel, yellow spinner and cannon barrels and stubs.
3) "UP * L', A58-526, No. 79 Wing, Morotai, May 1945. Ocean Gray and Dark Green over Medium Sea Gray with white wing leading edges and a Sky spinner. There is an area of Foliage Green painted on the upper fuselage in front of the fin and overpainted roundels on the upper wings.
4) "ZP * V", A58-631, F/L George Scrimgeour, No. 457 Squadron, Labuan, Borneo June 1945. Another shark-mouth "Grey Nurse" Mk.VIII in Ocean Gray and Dark Green over Medium Sea Gray with a white fuselage band and Sky spinner. The rear fuselage aft of the fuselage band is RAAF Foliage Green and the forward part of the starboard horizontal stabilizer has had its Dark Green portion repainted Foliage Green.
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The decals are up to Eduard's customary standards. They are crisply printed, fully legible, in register and have excellent color. Stencils aren't included but you can get a set from Eduard sheet number D48015.
I am a real fan of RAAF Spitfires. They were among the most colorful Spits and the "Grey Nurse" Mk.VIIIs are perennial favorites. I recommend this decal set and I would like to thank Eduard for the review sample.
References
Spitfires Against Japan, by Steve Nichols, Military Aircraft Monthly, Volume 8, Issue 9, September 2009, SAM Publications