A friend in Australia sent me some pics from the recent Watts Airshow in Queensland. There is a Spitfire here which looks rather odd to me (the one in the green and brown camo in the MIMG pics attached). My friend was told it was a Mk VIII, but he's a WW1 expert and admits to being not so sure about anything later. To me it looks like a small-scale replica. I know some Spitfires had pointed high-altitude wingtip extensions, and the later versions (Mk VII on) had more pointed rudders, but on this one these seem exaggerated. The cockpit and spinner look oversize, and the tail wheel looks like something from a light aircraft, maybe a Cub or an Auster. The main wheels look too small and the flaps too big. What do you all think? Nostalgair may know about this aircraft - being familiar with the Oz airshow scene. I attached a pic of the Temora MkVIII for comparison. Adrian
Hi Adrian The first two pictures are for the Spitfire Mk26 (sic), also known as the Baby Supermarine. One version is 80% real size, and another is 90%. Hence the rather strange hood, and elongated tips. The third photo is the Spitfire Mk VIII belonging to Temora Aviation Museum Supermarine Spitfire MK VIII
So there are several about then. Where can I buy one? Of course, as the photos show, it does need an oversize tail; its a well-known fact that model aeroplanes need comparatively larger tail (and model ships need larger rudders) than their full size equivalents. I wonder what engine they use? A Merlin would make it go like stink, but probably it was too closely cowled on the original to fit into a smaller airframe.
Sorry Adrian, forgot to add the link to the main site selling the kits: Supermarine Aircraft - About The Mk 26 Prices don't seem too bad Supermarine Aircraft - About The Mk 26
High Spit Fans, Check my entry in Adrians 1/3 model entry. The aircraft is a scaled down kit version costing £130,000 and manufactured in Australia. lane: Cheers Keith
Love of Spitfires Hi Adrian, Having checked the site of the supplier, I can only assume the odd features of design can only be described as artistic foubles for they bear no apparent relation to the company photographs. Cheers Keith. Just as a matter of interest I have a half finished 1/4 scale model of the MkIX in the garage waiting for more clement conditions.
