451 Squadron RAAF Spitfire Mk IX

[Greebo]

Lyric1 found me this photo of a Spit Mk IX in the RAF's high altitude fighter scheme of medium sea grey over PRU blue. An unusual feature is the outlined squadron codes.

This aircraft was flown by the RAAF's 451 squadron while based in Corsica in spring 1944. It was used for armed reconnaissance flights and on its first sortie shot down an Me 109.

[Krusty]

This is a matter of aesthetics.... The 3D shape doesn't quite fully match the picture. I would get around this by "clipping" the fin flash so that it's forward most pointed corner is only on the v-stab part of the 3D model. Shave the lower edge off so that the forward corner just touches the part where the V-stab meets the rounded tail, but that none "bends" if you see what I mean.

It's a minor compromise, but I think it's noticable. Looks odd wrapping around like that.

Also, funny enough the photo looks like the lower surfaces are darker than the upper! See the nose for example, but under the fuselage tail also looks dark. I don't know, you may be correct, but how certain are you of the colors?


EDIT: The panel lines for the flaps under the wings look odd. It's been a while since I admired the flaps on the spit but last I recall I thought they were... "different" ?

[Wmaker]

Great one again Greebo!

Also, funny enough the photo looks like the lower surfaces are darker than the upper! See the nose for example, but under the fuselage tail also looks dark. I don't know, you may be correct, but how certain are you of the colors?

In a B&W photo, colours can vary radically depending on the type of film used. Also, based on the shadow the sun is very high up as is expected in Corsica during mid day. Less light hitting the undersurfaces of the plane also change significantly the appearance of the colours compared to the upper surfaces.

[Greebo]

While I see what you mean WRT the fin flash and the 3D shape Krusty, I think I prefer to keep it as it is since it is more accurate.

The information I have on the aircraft is that it was used for high altitude armed reconnaissance and medium sea grey/PRU blue is the correct scheme for that job. Also I can't think of another Spitfire fighter scheme that is just one colour on top and another colour below. Most Spits are two colour disruptive on top and a lighter colour below. There is the pink Spit low level fighter recon scheme, but that was pink all over and was unlikely to have been used in the usually clear skies of the Med anyway. I suppose the undersides could have been repainted azure blue locally, as that's the standard Med theater underside colour. However azure and PRU blue aren't different enough to have made it worth doing really.

You are right about the flaps though, For some reason I put a shadow effect behind the flap hinge line which is incorrect on a split flap design like the Spit. I'll get rid of that.

[lyric1]

 

[STXAce8]

well I am a 109 dweeb, but I might have to fly this skin because my great uncle was based in corsica around 1944 also flying b-25s. I hate you greebo because if I don't fly it I will feel guilty. 

[Guppy35]

Looks good Greebo.  The only thing that stands out to me is the serial number is too far forward of the tail.  But based on the codes and roundels it's the right distance from them.  Guess the tail on our Spit is a bit long?

The two tone gray is the correct scheme for the job those Spits did Krusty. 

[Krusty]

Well I trust his judgment on the colors. He has more experience than I on this topic. I just brought it up because it looked odd. It is just a B&W photo though, so mystery solved.

[lyric1]

Well I trust his judgment on the colors. He has more experience than I on this topic. I just brought it up because it looked odd. It is just a B&W photo though, so mystery solved.

I can assure you he had just about all the info he needed to.

[FTJR]

 

[Greebo]

Good spot Guppy. I've made the roundels and squadron code letters a bit bigger and adjusted them all rearwards to reduce the gap to the tailplane.

[Krusty]

I can assure you he had just about all the info he needed to.

I honestly wasn't suggesting otherwise.