{"title":"GBR Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"airfix-a17002-1-24-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii","title":"Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII","description":"\u003cp\u003eProduct Info\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis new super-kit features several new parts to enable the accurate creation of a Mk.VIII, using our 2022 release of the Spitfire Mk.IX.c as the base kit. The new parts include;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp\u003eUpper and lower wing surface, including leading edge fuel tanks and gun camera position.\u003cbr\u003e\n    Short span ailerons\u003cbr\u003e\n    Retractable tailwheel section\u003cbr\u003e\n    Revised instrument panel\u003cbr\u003e\n    Repositioned fuselage light\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most impressive features associated with the enduring legacy of the Spitfire is how its basic design was able to be adapted and upgraded so effectively throughout the Second World War and how the final variants of this magnificent aircraft were far more capable that the ones which first arrived at RAF Duxford during the summer of 1938.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith the Spitfire undergoing almost constant development to enable it to stay at the forefront of fighter technology during WWII, this vital work was interrupted by the introduction of the Luftwaffe's fearsome new Focke Wulf Fw190 in 1941, an aircraft which was superior to the Spitfire Mk.V which was in widespread service at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eA new Spitfire variant, the Mk.VIII, was at an advanced stage of development at the time, however, actual production was still some way off, as manufacturing jigs had not been installed in factories at that time. A stop-gap solution proved to be the introduction of the hybrid Mk.IX, an aircraft which fortunately proved to be something of a revelation and more than a match for the Focke Wulf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe planned Spitfire Mk.VIII would continue into production and was essentially a fighter intentionally designed and engineered from the outset to be the next version of the fighter and a major production variant. Powered by the latest variants of Merlin engine, the Mk.VIII featured a strengthened fuselage, retractable tail wheel and the adoption of a new broad-chord rudder, with versions optimised for high, medium and low altitude operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis variant of Spitfire served primarily with units based overseas, with the RAF in the Mediterranean, Middle and Far East and the RAAF in the South West Pacific. Many pilots who flew several marks of this famous fighter regarded the Mk.VIII as the best flying Spitfire of them all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGrey Nurse History\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNo. 457 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force became known as ‘Grey Nurse Squadron’ after repainting their newly arrived Spitfire Mk.VIIIs with distinctive shark mouths. Originally tasked with the air defence of Darwin, the squadron was soon moved northwards to Morotai and eventually Labuan to primarily conduct ground attack missions against the Japanese forces. The aircraft portrayed is that of 457’s commanding officer, Sqn. Ldr. Bruce Watson DFC.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Airfix","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51234349973771,"sku":"A17002","price":89.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/1809\/4091\/files\/airfix-a17002-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii.jpg?v=1749030647"},{"product_id":"eduard-8284-1-48-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii","title":"Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII","description":"\u003cp\u003eProfiPACK edition kit of British WWII fighter aircraft Spitfire Mk.VIII in 1\/48 scale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp\u003eplastic parts: Eduard\u003cbr\u003e\n    marking options: 6\u003cbr\u003e\n    decals: Eduard\u003cbr\u003e\n    PE parts: yes, pre-painted\u003cbr\u003e\n    painting mask: yes\u003cbr\u003e\n    resin parts: no\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eduard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51346106581259,"sku":"8284","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/1809\/4091\/files\/eduard-8284-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii-1160786114.jpg?v=1749027366"},{"product_id":"tamiya-60320-1-32-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii","title":"Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe True Successor to the Mk.V\u003cbr\u003e\nThe legendary Spitfire was the representative British fighter of WWII. Many variants were built and among these was the Mk.VIII, a variant developed to be the replacement for the RAF's previous mainstay Spitfire, the Mk.V. The Mk.VIII was fitted with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 60-series engine, larger radiators, and an air filter as standard. Other improvements included fuel tanks added in the wings, retractable tail wheel, shortened ailerons, and enlarged rudder and elevators. From the latter half of 1943, the Mk.VIII were deployed to the Mediterranean and Pacific Theaters and saw service with RAF, USAAF, RCAF, and RAAF units.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAbout the Model\u003cbr\u003e\n1\/32 scale plastic assembly kit of the Spitfire Mk.VIII. ★Overall Length: 302mm, Overall Width: 383mm. ★Features of the Mk.VIII, including the retractable tail wheel, shortened ailerons, and wing fuel tanks, have all been accurately reproduced. ★You can select either retracted or deployed landing gear and tail wheel even after assembly. ★Parts to depict standard and extended wingtips included ★Features moveable ailerons, rudder, and elevators. Flaps can be depicted in either up or down position. ★Parts for 30 and 90 gallon fuel tanks included. ★Comes with 3 kinds of markings to depict the aircraft from USAAF, RAAF, and RCAF units. ★Comes with 2 pilot figures, 1 seated and 1 standing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tamiya","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51471829270795,"sku":"60320","price":121.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/1809\/4091\/files\/tamiya-60320-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii.jpg?v=1749109971"},{"product_id":"icm-48065-1-48-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii","title":"Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1943 began production of the Spitfire Mk.VIII modification with retractable tailwheel and increased range. These fighters served in the Mediterranean and Far East in USAAF and RAAF units.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome Spitfire airplanes received American-built Packard Merline engines and designated as Spitfire Mk.XVI. Late-production aircraft had bubble-top canopies. Spitfires Mk.XVI were suited to low altitudes as fighters and fighter-bombers and were used in the end of war in Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ICM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51497381134603,"sku":"48065","price":14.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/1809\/4091\/files\/icm-48065-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii-1.jpg?v=1751311077"},{"product_id":"icm-48067-1-48-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii","title":"Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe British fighter Spitfire – one of the “flying legends” of World War II.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1943 began production of the Spitfire Mk.VIII modifications with retractable tailwheel and increased range. These fighters served in the Mediterranean and Far East in RAF, USAAF and RAAF units.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e– 2 RAF Spitfire VIII versions decal sheet included\u003cbr\u003e\n– Highly detailed engine and cockpit interior\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ICM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51497382510859,"sku":"48067","price":14.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0777\/1809\/4091\/files\/icm-48067-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii-1.jpg?v=1751311083"}],"url":"https:\/\/anglia-models.com\/collections\/gbr-supermarine-spitfire-mk-viii.oembed","provider":"Anglia Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}