'The Spitfire Story: Malta'

Being a 'Dual Combo' edition, this kit contains two complete models, so inside the box you will find two clear and twelve dark grey-coloured sprues, plus two sets of die-cut, self-adhesive paint masks and two frets of pre-painted photo-etched. The kit offers both the Mk Vb and Mk Vc, with tropical versions of each also an option. Construction remains unchanged from the individual releases of the Mk Vb and Vc, the interior is mainly plastic, but etched is used for things like the seat belts and instrument panel, although you get a plastic alternative for the latter as well. The 'B' and 'C' wings are depicted via different components, with the 'C' wing having the option of two styles of bulge over the cannon access bay; although the sprues contain a number of alternative parts, so you can mix and match. The clear sprues contain a mass of options for both the main canopy and windscreen, dependant on the particular option you are building plus there are a lot of unused parts that can go in the spares box. The sprues still contain four types of propeller and spinner combination, although some of these can head into the spares box. The kit has the option of a closed or open canopy and/or access door and die-cut, self-adhesive masks are included for all elements of the canopies, gunsight lens, downwards identification light and tailwheel hub, but not the main wheel hubs.

Markings
The kit offers fifteen decal options: 
• Spitfire Vb Trop, AB264, GN•H, flown by F/O Robert W. McNair, No.249 Squadron, RAF Ta Kali, Malta, March 1942
• Spitfire Vb Trop, EP122, GL•B, flown by Sgt. Claude Weaver III, No.185 Squadron, RAF Ta Kali, Malta, July 1942
• Spitfire Vb Trop, EP706, T•L, flown by P/O George F. Beurling, No.249 Squadron, RAF Ta Kali, Malta, August - October 1942
• Spitfire Vb, EP829, T•NT, blown by S/Ldr John J. Lynch, No.249 Squadron, RAF Qrendi, Malta, February - May 1943
• Spitfire Vb, ER647, Z•, flown by S/Ldr John R. Urwin-Mann, No.126 Squadron, RAF Luqa, Malta, spring 1943
• Spitfire Vb Trop, ER187, WZ•C, flown by Maj. Frank A. Hill, 309th FS, 31st FG, Xewkija, Gozo - Malta, beginning of July 1943
• Spitfire Vb Trop, ER187, WZ•C, flown by Maj. Frank A. Hill, 309th FS, 31st FG, Xewkija, Gozo - Malta, beginning of July 1943
• Spitfire Vc Trop, BR190, A•2, flown by F/Sgt Virgil P. Brennan, No. 249 Squadron, RAF Ta Kali, Malta, May 1942
• Spitfire Vc Trop, BP975, K•1, flown by Flt Lt Denis Barnham, No. 601 Squadron, RAF Luqa, Malta, April - May 1942
• Spitfire Vc Trop, BR126, X•3, flown by P/O Jerrold A. Smith, No. 126 Squadron, USS Wasp (CV-7), May 1942
• Spitfire Vc Trop, BR311, MK•L, flown by Flt Lt Roderick I. A. Smith, No. 126 Squadron, RAF Luqa, Malta, October 1942
• Spitfire Vc Trop, BR321, GL•J, flown by Flt Lt John A. Plagis, No. 185 Squadron, RAF Hal Far, Malta, June 1942
• Spitfire Vc Trop, BR387, GL•W, flown by P/O John W. Yarra, No. 185 Squadron, RAF Hal Far, Malta, June 1942
• Spitfire Vc, BR498, PP•H, flown by W/Cdr Peter P. Hanks, Luqa Wing, Malta, August 1942-February 1943
• Spitfire Vc Trop, JK715, SN•A, flown by Sqn Ldr Evan D. Mackie, No. 243 Squadron, RAF Hal Far, Malta, June-July 1943
The decal sheets are all beautifully printed and includes all the unique markings and national insignia, with two additional smaller sheets offering a complete sets of airframe stencils for each model.
 
Conclusion
This is a stunning kit, which offers some excellent decal schemes and being a limited edition, it should be one that sells rather well and quickly! It is therefore highly recommended to all RAF and/or Spitfire fans.

Our thanks to Eduard (www.eduard.com) for the review sample, UK modellers can obtain this kit from Hannants here.