Hello again!
Well here we are, another project finished and I have to say I have enjoyed this one so much! This project came about when one evening I was researching Malta Spitfire’s and I happened across this photograph:
This was Squadron Leader John J. Lynch of 249 Sqn. RAF after he claimed Malta’s 1000th air combat kill against Axis forces on 28th April 1943 at Krendi, Malta. He was also caught on film being congratulated on his famous score:
His mount was a RAF Spitfire Mk.Vb. Serial Number EP829. Unlike many Spitfire’s operating in the Mediterranean, this one was a standard Mk.Vb with clipped wings, meaning that it did not have a Vokes filter fitted as you can see in the photograph below:
With my imagination set alight with idea’s I set out with the desire to re-create that famous moment when Lynch and EP829 has Malta’s 1000th victory marked on the 28th April 1943.
I wanted to build this subject in 1/32 scale so I immediately turned to the Hobbyboss 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb as a base for the build. You can follow my progress through the build in parts 1 and 2 by following the links below.
Malta’s 1000th! Spitfire EP829-Part 2.
The kit was modified with new resin parts for the Airscrew, Props, Horizontal Stabilators and wheels. I also added an aftermarket Instrument Panel and a replacement front windscreen from a Tamiya Spitfire Mk.VIII.
A special paint mix of Tamiya acrylics were used to provide an approximation of the Grey/Blue shade that was applied to 249 Sqn. Spitfire’s during 1942-1943 and markings came from aftermarket decal sheets produced by Top Colours and Xtradecal. The figures were both modified from off the shelf figures from Tamiya and PJ Productions.
I thoroughly enjoyed this project as the Malta campaign is a subject close to my heart just as Spitfire’s are too. Here are the photo’s of the finished display piece, I hope you enjoy them.
Some photo’s of the Finished airframe:
Finally here is the finished model in it’s custom built display case:
Thanks for looking at my latest work, I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please follow this site by clicking the follow button on the homepage or by adding yourself to the mailing list, that way you will always have my latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.
Hope you drop in again soon, until then take care and Happy Modelling!
Darren.
THE SCALE MODEL HANGAR 
Perfection!
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Thank you Pierre! Very kind of you.
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Reblogged this on ausevor.
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Lovely model Darren. However that is not the real EP829 – that is a made up Spit for a propaganda newsreel (War Pictorial Newsreel No.104). It could be that it is the actual EP829 repaired after a crash and had the wingtips removed. You can find actual photos of it in what is probably a temperate land scheme, in Brian Cauchi’s publication ‘Malta Spitfire Vs – 1942’.
Best wishes!
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Thanks Aldo, the debate about Malta Spitfire schemes is alive and well!
Thanks for the information, I will follow that up!
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Lovely build but i must point out something about the Planes flown by Lynch.
from the photos in hand it is very evident that there were two different kites marked T-N. This is very evident from the way the kills are marked on the fuselage. Initially the crosses were in a straight line but later these were arranged otherwise.
This gives the impression that there two different planes. The one in which Lynch probably did the kill was a regular Vb T with standard wings and all – There is a photo of this being serviced, while later on this was changed to a Vb with clipped wings.
Sorry about the above but this is the endless enigma with the Malta kites. Hopefully when i finish mine off it would be half as good.. Lovely Build
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You are right he did fly two Spitfire’s with TN codes. The one I have depicted is the one he was filmed in for a news reel about the 1,000th victory.
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