1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop Exterior detail set

Exterior details of the tropical Spitfire Mk.Vb in 1:72 scale

A printed set of exterior details for the Spitfire Mk.Vb in its tropical version, 1:72 scale, the maker IBG. This is not an airplane kit but an accessory aimed at the surface. Printing from resin manages the small shapes and thin walls that are simplified in plastic in a small scale, and on top of that it has no parting line.

The real subject

Spitfires meant for Africa and the Mediterranean were given a bulky intake air filter under the nose, which protected the engine from sand. The filter changed the silhouette of the aircraft markedly and worsened its performance, but without it the engines would not have lasted in desert conditions. The tropical Mk.Vb is among the most conspicuous forms of the Spitfire at all, and that is exactly why finishing off the exterior details pays off on it.

Usage tips

Separate the parts from the print supports with a sharp knife and work over a surface. Wash them in lukewarm water with dish soap before painting. They are glued with super glue. Desert camouflage stands out when fine dust from pigments is laid over the base shade and the edges are scraped lightly. Leave the air intakes dark inside so that they keep their depth.

Who the set is for

• Builders of Spitfires in 1:72 scale
• Modelers of desert and Mediterranean subjects
• Display-case models judged from close up
• Advanced builders used to small resin parts

The set is an accessory to a plastic kit, not a model in its own right. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.