1/48th Scale Spitfire Mk IX (Tamiya kit converted)

In the early '80's a reborn Spitfire Mk IX graced the South African airshow scene. She was most popularly known as "Evelyn", so-named after the owners wife. Sadly she was sold and left our shores to the chagrin of many South African airshow enthusiasts. This aircraft now resides in a museum in Brazil, unfortunately no longer in her South African colours.

The colour scheme was based on that of a Spitfire flown during WWII by a pilot who was destined to become Chief of the South African Air Force, a certain Bob Rogers. This, one of early forays into SAAF Spitfires and conversions and was very quickly accomplished by using the Hi-Tech Spitfire Mk IX conversion set and a Tamiya Spitfire Mk VB. As 40 squadron was conducting low level photo- reconnaissance missions their Spitfires were painted in Dark Earth and Dark green on the upper surfaces with Azure Blue on the undersides. Very unusual indeed.
 

The National Markings on my Spitfire came from the ubiquitous Ken Smy sheet no 4 and the code letters and serial number from various Microscale and Modeldecal sheets. The 40 Squadron badge came from a limited run sheet made by Whirlybird productions in the UK.