Airfix 1/24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII A17002
Introducing the Airfix 1/24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII A17002—a super-kit that brings to life one of the most advanced and iconic variants of the legendary Spitfire. Building on the acclaimed 2022 release of the Spitfire Mk.IX.c, this kit includes several new parts that enable you to accurately recreate the Mk.VIII, a variant hailed as one of the finest flying Spitfires of World War II.
This detailed model features newly designed upper and lower wing surfaces, including leading-edge fuel tanks and a gun camera position, along with short span ailerons, a retractable tailwheel section, a revised instrument panel, and a repositioned fuselage light. These enhancements ensure that your model captures the unique characteristics of the Mk.VIII, making it a must-have for aviation enthusiasts and model builders alike.
The Spitfire Mk.VIII was a significant evolution of the original design, developed to counter the threat posed by the Luftwaffe's formidable Focke Wulf Fw190. While the Mk.IX served as an effective stop-gap, the Mk.VIII was specifically engineered to be the next-generation fighter, featuring a strengthened fuselage, retractable tailwheel, and a new broad-chord rudder. This variant saw extensive service with RAF units in the Mediterranean, Middle and Far East, as well as with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the South West Pacific.
One of the most famous units to fly the Mk.VIII was the No. 457 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, known as the ‘Grey Nurse Squadron’. These aircraft were adorned with distinctive shark mouths, and the kit includes decals to recreate the aircraft of Squadron Leader Bruce Watson DFC, who led the squadron in ground attack missions against Japanese forces.
Key Features:
New parts including:
What's Inside:
- Plastic kit
- Instruction sheet
- Paint guide
- Decal sheet
Celebrate the enduring legacy of the Spitfire with the Airfix 1/24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII, a model that captures the engineering excellence and historical significance of this legendary aircraft.