Mark I 1/144 Spitfire XIV Bubbletop In Europe Fighter (2 in 1) Kit
The Supermarine Type 379 Spitfire Mk.XIV was a British fighter developed during WWII. It was the most important of the Griffon-powered Spitfires, and the only one to see significant wartime service. The Mk.XIV was also the most successful in intercepting V-1 flying bombs.
Based on the Mk.VIII fuselage, the first development Mk.XIV flew early in 1943. Initially, the aircraft were produced with high-back fuselage, but later cut-down rear fuselage with a teardrop canopy was introduced. It was a single-seat monoplane aircraft, of all-metal construction, powered by a two-stage supercharged RR Griffon engine. Early aircraft used full-span C-type universal wing, with two 20mm cannons and four 0.303" (7.7mm) machine guns, while later production aircraft were fitted with the E wing mounting two 20mm cannons and two 0.5" (12.7mm) MGs. Fuselage fuel tank or up to 1000 lbs of bombs (500lb bomb in a FR role) could also be carried.
Spitfire FR Mk.XIV and FR Mk.XIVE were fighter-reconnaissance versions with an oblique F.24 camera installed. Both variants had clipped wingtips for low-level use. Deliveries began in October 1943 and the production of Mark XIV variants totaled 957. A number of RAF units were operational in Europe up to the end of the war, while the introduction of Mk.XIVs into Far East theatre in June 1945 was too late for wartime use.
In the late 1940s Spitfire F.XIV/FR.XIVs were also delivered to Belgium (a total of 132 a/c), India (20) and Thailand (30).
Based on the Mk.VIII fuselage, the first development Mk.XIV flew early in 1943. Initially, the aircraft were produced with high-back fuselage, but later cut-down rear fuselage with a teardrop canopy was introduced. It was a single-seat monoplane aircraft, of all-metal construction, powered by a two-stage supercharged RR Griffon engine. Early aircraft used full-span C-type universal wing, with two 20mm cannons and four 0.303" (7.7mm) machine guns, while later production aircraft were fitted with the E wing mounting two 20mm cannons and two 0.5" (12.7mm) MGs. Fuselage fuel tank or up to 1000 lbs of bombs (500lb bomb in a FR role) could also be carried.
Spitfire FR Mk.XIV and FR Mk.XIVE were fighter-reconnaissance versions with an oblique F.24 camera installed. Both variants had clipped wingtips for low-level use. Deliveries began in October 1943 and the production of Mark XIV variants totaled 957. A number of RAF units were operational in Europe up to the end of the war, while the introduction of Mk.XIVs into Far East theatre in June 1945 was too late for wartime use.
In the late 1940s Spitfire F.XIV/FR.XIVs were also delivered to Belgium (a total of 132 a/c), India (20) and Thailand (30).
Color schemes included in the kit:
- Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.XIV (Type 379), NH745, Sky EB-V, No.41 Sq., Royal Air Force, Eindhoven airfield (B-78), the Netherlands, March 1945
- Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV (Type 379), MV263, Sky GCK, No.125 Wing, Royal Air Force, Twente airfield (B-106), the Netherlands, April 1945
- Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIVE (Type 379), NH895, Sky NI-K, No.451 Sq., Royal Australian Air Force, British Air Forces of Occupation (BAFO), Wunstorf Air Base, Germany, late 1945
- Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk.XIV (Type 379), SG-46 (ex-RM625), Black UR-G, No.2 Sq. (2ème Esc.), Belgian Air Force (l'Aéronautique Militaire Belge), Florennes Air Base, autumn 1948
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