TAMIYA 60320 Spitfire Mk VIII – 1:32 Scale Model Kit

The Spitfire Mk VIII is considered by many aircraft enthusiasts to be the best mark of Spitfire (of course, there are many opinions on the topic!) and it was the third most-produced mark, with over 1650 units built.

The model represented a technological turning point in the Second World War, where the earlier marks of Spitfire were on the verge of becoming obsolete by the new German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (FW 190) which out-performed the Mk V (at the time, the RAF’s best fighter) in almost all areas. The Mk VIII was adapted to use the new Merlin 61 engine, which offered impressive performance improvements at higher altitude, but required a sturdier frame to support the new engine. This new model had the same operational range as the earlier Mk V, but it was able to cover the distance at a much higher speed. In addition, it used the C wing armaments (four cannons or two cannons / machine guns) and could carry up to 1000lbs of bombs.

The Mk VIII was also the first aircraft to use a “bubble canopy” which gave its pilots much better visibility against enemy fighters who would exploit blind spots in earlier models. This design was so successful, a variant was later adopted in subsequent models.

This wonderful model kit from Tamiya is aimed at the more experienced model builder, but the result is a wonderfully detailed scale model of the Mk VIII. The model features movable ailerons, rudder and elevators and comes with three different markings (USAAF, RAAF, RCAF) and two pilot figures. The finished model can be mounted on the included stand.