Sheet:

Model Alliance MA-72133: Photo Recon Spitfires part 3

Units: See Review

Price

£

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

The third sheet is for Griffon engine Spitfires and there are eight schemes provided in this sheet, some of them for non RAF aircraft. With the possible exception of the Fujimi PR XIVe and XIX, the kits listed for these markings are either short run or resin.

First up is a Swedish PR 18 from 1956 in overall PRU Blue with a red spinner.
Next is a Thai PR.18  from 1955 with Medium Sea Grey on the upper surfaces.
From India comes this PR 14e from 1947 in standard European camo.
The last one on the left is a PR.19 from 81 Sq based in Hong Kong in 1951 with Medium Sea Grey over PRU Blue.

Moving to the right is a 208 Sq FR 18e from 1948 in a desert scheme of Dark Earth and Light Slate Grey over Medium Sea Grey.
From 28 Sq in Hong Kong during 1950 is this FR 18e in standard European camo and with Korean War stripes, despite not being used in the war.
Third on the right is a polished metal PR. XIX from 681 Sq based in Burma during 1946.
Finally, a PR.IX from 2 Sq based in Germany during 1946 and in wartime overall PRU Blue.

The sheet itself is well done and seems to be in good registration. There are markings for all of the aircraft on the sheet (at least, it seems so). Since these are in pretty standard paint schemes, no fret about not having a paint chart as these colors should be easy to locate. Some under and upper wing drawings would be helpful, but for the most part, you can use the kit markings instructions to help you along in this regard. All of the various bands will have to be painted on by the modeler. For those types not specifically kitted, there are conversion sets available.

Two final points. One is that the sheet is actually darker than what is shown. The second is that this sheet is also available in 1/48 scale.

March 2006

Review sheet courtesy of The Aviation Workshop

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