HobbyBoss 1/72 Spitfire Vb/trop

The Spitfire V was a variant that was the result of a more powerful engine being added to what is basically a Mk.II airframe. It was built in fairly large numbers with many of the early versions being built using Mk.I and Mk.II airframes. Some of these airframes were converted on the production line while others were rebuilt from extant aircraft and others rebuilds of damaged airplanes. The type came with a variety of wings with the B wing being quite popular. These aircraft soldiered on until near the end of the war in some of the 'backwater' theaters such as the Balkans.  

This is one of Hobby Boss's easy assembly kits and as such is not very parts or detail intensive. For example, the majority of the fuselage/interior is a single piece. The cockpit is molded in place with a stub for a control column, no instrument panel and no footwell for rudder pedals. The wing is a single piece that incorporates the lower fuselage with only the chin sand filter being a separate piece.

The kit sipplies a single piece canopy or a three piece version, though the parts are fairly thick so you cannot really pose it open. ou do have landing gear struts and wheels but no gear doors, which I though was a rather odd omission as even in the desert these items were installed. Another error is the prop. It is a deHavilland version and is molded as if the blades are feathered.

Instructions are on the back of the box and two desert scheme markings options are provided. One is the box art plane from 417 squadron and the other is with 249 squadron. Decals are nicely printed, but the reds seem a bit bright. Regardless, they should work just fine.

The prop and lack of gear doors are rather disappointing and degrades the desirability of the kit for anyone but a new modeler who wouldn't notice the glitches. If you have the recent Airfix 1/72 Spitfire you can rob the deHavilland prop from it as most of these aircraft used the Rotol version. The closed gear option to provide you with the gear doors once you remove the molded on main wheels.