SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK. VC RAAF

Description

British Supermarine Spitfire was the only fighter aircraft of the Second World War to fight in front line service, from the beginnings of the conflict, in September 1939-through to the end in August 1945. Post-war the Spitfire’s service career continued into the 1950s. "Universal wing" where introduced from Mk V versions of the Spitfire. The wing was structurally modified to reduce labour and manufacturing time plus allowing mixed armament options; A type, B type, or four 20 mm Hispano cannon. The undercarriage mountings were redesigned and the undercarriage doors were bowed in cross section allowing the legs to sit lower in the wells, eliminating the upper-wing blisters over the wheel wells and landing gear pivot points. The stronger undercarriage legs were raked 2 inches (5.08 cm) forward, making the Spitfire more stable on the ground and reducing the likelihood of the aircraft tipping onto its nose. In addition the retractable landing lights were no longer fitted. Strong-points were added outboard of the wheel-wells allowing racks capable of carrying one 250 lb (113 kg) bomb to be fitted under each wing. The Hispano Mk IIs fitted in all cases were now belt fed from box magazines allowing for 120 rounds each (the "Chattellerault" system). Here, under the Royal Australian Air Force service. (Scale : 1/48e)