1/48 Tamiya Spitfire Mk.1a

Gallery Article by David Baird on Nov 30 2002

St Andrew's Day

Spitfire Mk. la  
Squadron Leader Sandy Johnstone   
602 Squadron Royal Auxilliary Airforce (City of Glasgow)   

This is the Tamiya Mkl Spitfire, essentially built out of the box as a tribute to Sandy Johnstone and the brave men of 602 Squadron during WWll. In early September 1940, during the Battle of Britain, the RAF were still in the process of changing over from the 1939 half black/ half sky undersides, and they were also changing the underwing identification markings by adding roundels.   

I used my wife’s hair to make the aerial cables – I think the proportion is good and fits with the model – luckily she has black hair too!  

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I had to make some judicious alterations to the designation letters (LO-J) as they were not included in the box, but a sharp craft knife works wonders.  

I have found reference to “rust” coloured gas patches on the port upper wings of Spitfires during this phase of the war, and so included my interpretation. I have never seen the real colour, so I had to employ some artistic license.    

Aficionados of the Squadron may wonder where the Rampant Lion shield is that is expected on the starboard fuselage (fwd), but I could find no illustrations of its use at this stage of the war. If anyone can point me in the direction of a reference showing the badge, I will happily add it to the model.  

As I consider myself to be an enthusiastic rather than competition accurate modeller, I offer this model as a tribute to the Squadron, and its brave leader.  

David Baird

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