Spitfire Mk XVI
Weekend Edition

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by David Harmer

Eduard's 1/48 scale Spitfire VIII Weekend Edition is available online from Squadron.com
 

The Mk XVI was the same as the Mk IX in nearly all respects except for the engine, a Merlin 266. The Merlin 266 was the Merlin 66 and was built under licence in the USA by the Packard Motor Company.

All Mk XVI aircraft produced were of the Low-Altitude Fighter (LF) variety. This was not determined by the length of the wings (clipped wings were fitted to most LF Spitfires), but by the engine, which had been optimised for low-altitude operation. All production Mk XVIs had clipped wings for low altitude work and were fitted with the rear fuselage fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 75 gal.

Many XVIs featured cut-down rear fuselages with bubble canopies depicted in this release by Eduard. On these aircraft the rear fuselage tank capacity was limited to 66 gal. Because of a slightly taller intercooler and rearranged accessories on the Packard Merlins a new, bulged upper cowling was introduced and also appeared on late production IXs.

Armament for most Mk XVIs consisted of 2 × 20 mm Hispano II cannon - each with 120 rounds per gun - and 2 × .50 calibre Browning machine guns - each with 250 rounds per gun. 1 × 500 lb (227 kg) bomb could be carried underneath the centre rack, and 1 × 250 lb (114 kg) bomb could be slung under each wing. Some production aircraft had rear fuselage fuel tanks in addition to the main tank which allowed it to fly approximately as far as the Spitfire Mk VIII. Problems with the licence-built engines limited introduction to front-line squadrons for several months. A total of 1,054 Mk XVIs were built by Castle Bromwich.*

In this Weekend Edition Eduard offer marking options for two aircraft that raced for the Cooper Trophy in 1949.
According to an issue of Flight published in May, 1950, the Cooper Trophy was originally presented by Wing Commander. Geoffrey Cooper MP. Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons were eligible to compete. The first race, held at Lympne in 1948, took the form of a high-speed map-reading competition, the course was disclosed to the pilots ten minutes before take-off.

In 1949, the race, held at Elmdon, Birmingham, was a straightforward handicap race. It was won by Flight Lieutenant. Bowden, of No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron, flying a Spitfire.

Brett has already taken a first look at Eduard’s low back Spitfire Mk XIV in his review of the Dual Combo Limited Edition and a published some images of a finished model built using the early style wing. Brett’s conclusion, “Gorgeous kit. See if you can stop at just one!"

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Thumbnail panels:

Suffice to say, all of the features you’ve come to expect from Eduard’s 1/48 scale spitfires are present here: accurate fuselage and wing dimensions, a very high level of detail, outstanding surface features including crisply recessed panels and subtle rivet detail. That and an excellent set of decals printed in perfect register are included. They even look to have nailed the brighter red colour used for post-war RAF roundels (and not everyone who has offered decals for late-war spitfires has achieved this).

Only the late wing is included. If you chose to model a subject other than those offered by Eduard with the kit you may need to do some research. The late style wing is distinguishable by the shallow bulge on the top of the wing, which was added after the camber of the main wheels was changed to ensure the wheels would still retract safely.

Available Accessories

Eduard has released a colour photo-etched fret and self-adhesive die-cut masking sheet at the same time as the bare-bones Weekend Edition kit, available separately.

The colour photo-etched fret, Item No. FE755, includes a multi-layered instrument panel, pre-coloured harness straps, low-back pilot's seat and head armour, and smaller details for the cockpit.

The masking set, EX493, provides die-cut self-adhesive masks for the canopy and wheels.

You want more detail? The choice is yours!

Markings

Markings are provided for the following Mk XVIs:

1. RW393, No 601 Squadron RauxAF, 1949

2. SL718, No 612 Squadron RauxAF, 1949.

Both aircraft participated in the Cooper Air Race of 1949.

Colour call-outs in the instruction sheet are for the Mr Color range.

Available for between USD$20 and $30, the Weekend Edition of Eduard’s Mk XVI represents excellent value.

Personally, I find the choice of two Auxiliary Air Force spitfires a little puzzling, particularly given the many foreign operators that flew Mk XVIs. However, the markings appear to be a popular choice with many online.

I think this Weekend Edition will make plenty of people very happy.

* Background information adapted from Wikipedia articles.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2016 by David Harmer
Page Created 29 April, 2016
Last updated 29 April, 2016

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