Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.21 "Contraprop" The first version of the Spitfire that had completely redesigned wing was the Spitfire Mk.21.
The changes in its construction were so important that a new name Victor had been also considered. Design work on this plane were commenced in 1942 and in the beginning of 1945 the first production aircraft were issued to No.91sqn. After the war, the Spitfire Mk.21 enjoyed rather long peace-time service with both RAF and RAuxAF squadrons. And with this version of the Spitfire, a contrapropeller unit was being used on a large scale. And therefore, markings of two machines with a contraprop have been chosen for this boxing of our Spitfire model.
In the box containing a model of this beautiful aircraft you will find four sprues with highly detailed plastic parts, a set of clear parts and a decal sheet. We have indeed gone an extra mile with the construction of this replica, in the sprue with small parts you´ll get fish-tail exhausts for a war-time Spitfire Mk.21 as well and the rounded-type of exhaust for the post-war machines. There are of course also both three and four-spoked wheels included. The decal sheet offers markings for highly interesting No.41sqn machine that was originally delivered in a standard camouflage but later was repainted with Aluminium colour. While the fuselage and tailplanes were overpainted very carefully, the main wing wore visible streaks of aluminium colour. The original camouflage was also still visible around the top wing roundels. The fuselage, wing and also the tailplanes were adorned with red stripe markings which referred to the squadrons red cross of Lorraine insignia. The other machine served as a personal machine of two RAF senior officers. At first it flew with a camouflage and unarmed, later was repainted in standard post-war Aluminium. At the controls of the camouflaged Spitfire was Air Vice Marschal Thomas Cathcart Traill CB, OBE, DFC (8 victories during WW1), CO of No.12 Group RAF. Later, while the machine wore the aluminium coat, it was flown by an unknown Group Captain as suggested by the pennants on the fuselage sides. There is a resin set of various aerodynamical fairings covering the cannon stubs in the model which are intended for this machine. The decal sheet of course contains large amount of stencils.
Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter from the Second World War. It was an all-metal machine with a low wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tail and a retractable landing gear. The prototype flight took place on March 5, 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the RAF's staple of the war, which continued to do well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years. The history of the Spitfire began on the drawing desk of RJ Mitchell, Supermarine's lead designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters at the airfields - together with the slightly older Hurricanes of the Islands, 600 aircraft were defending. With the expansion of hostilities, the Spitfire served wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa and Italy, during the Normandy landings and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. For many Britons, he became a symbol of victory in World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important of them are, among others the first mass-produced Spitfire Mk.I powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It was above all this machine that made such an excellent contribution to the Battle of Britain. Many versions of this model have been developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk.V with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine with 1440HP. Later, Merlin 50 engines were also assembled. Serial production of this version started in 1941 and was the RAF's response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk.IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4-blade propeller. It was created as an opponent to the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified many times and, for example, in 1944 it got a new gyro sight, an enlarged rudder or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk.XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five-bladed propeller. Serial production started in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a strongly reinforced structure and sheathing, the wings were extended, increasing their flying surface. Mass production started in March 1945. Technical data (Mk.XIV version): length: 9.14m, wingspan: 11.23m, height: 3.05m, maximum speed: 717km / h, rate of climb: 18.5m / s, practical ceiling: 13,200m, range maximum: 1815 km, armament: fixed - 4 7.7mm machine guns and 2 20mm Hispano Mk II cannons, suspended - up to 225 kg of bombs.