Eduard Plastic Model Kit
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Early (1/72)
This new-tooling Mk.Vb Early feels crisp from the moment the sprues come out of the box. The surface detail is light and tidy, the sort of fine rivet and panel work that suits the early Spitfire airframe without overdoing anything. Eduard’s engineering keeps the build smooth, with the cockpit coming together cleanly before the fuselage closes up. Masks are included for the canopy, which makes the glazing step far less fiddly than it used to be.
The kit covers six marking options flown across RAF and Commonwealth squadrons during 1941–42, from Biggin Hill to Hornchurch and Kenley. Each scheme has its own small quirks – squadron codes, personal markings, weathering variations – giving a fair bit of choice depending on the style you prefer. Decals settle nicely into the surface detail and the overall fit keeps the build calm and steady rather than something you need to wrestle with.
- 1/72 scale new-tool kit
- Six RAF/RCAF marking options (1941–42)
- Pre-painted photo-etch included
- Eduard masks for canopy and wheels
- Crisp surface detail and refined moulding
- Decals printed by Eduard
- No resin parts
- SKU: 70205
History
The Spitfire Mk.Vb emerged in early 1941 as an answer to rising Luftwaffe pressure and the need to keep pace with improving German fighters. It paired the Mk.I/II airframe with the Merlin 45 engine, giving a noticeable boost in climb and responsiveness. The “b-wing” layout carried two 20mm cannon and four machine guns, a combination that offered enough hitting power for both interception and ground attack work.
Throughout 1941 and into 1942 the Mk.Vb became the RAF’s mainstay fighter, defending British airspace while also pushing out over occupied Europe on offensive sweeps. Pilots from the UK, Commonwealth and occupied nations flew it, and despite the eventual arrival of stronger opposition, the Mk.Vb kept its reputation as a balanced, dependable and agile front-line aircraft during a demanding period of the war.
