Not too long ago, Superscale did a nice sheet on USAAF Spitfires from the 31st FG. This sheet adds to that by providing three more subjects. For kits there are several options regarding a MkVIII or IX, including kits from Otaki/Arii, Ocidental, Hasegawa and ICM. Most say that the ICM kit is probably the most accurate, but also the most difficult to build. The two Mk. VIIIs are in desert camo of Dark Earth and Middlestone over Azure Blue. The Mk IX is in the European scheme of Dark Green and Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey. None of them have the yellow wing leading edge ID bands as seen in Northern Europe.

First is 'Fargo Express', a Mk.VIII from the 308th FS. It has yellow outer wing stripes (provided on the sheet) and appears to have the lower cowling painted in upper surface colors.

Another 308 Fs Mk VIII is 'Lonesome Polecat' painted identically to the previous plane but without the outer wing bands. By this time all Mediterranean theater planes had a red spinner and this one was no exception.

Finally the lone Mk.IX, 'Porky II' from the 309FS in European camo. Those one has a red outline to the fuselage insignia but not the ones on the wing. It also has red bands out near the ends of the wings.

There are enough insignia to do two of the planes if you choose carefully and enough data markings for one.

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