PR XI PL776/Y

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XI, PL776/Y, 681 Squadron RAF, Alipore, India 1944/45

This is another of those early passionate builds of Spitfires.  This time I wanted a PR bird but didn't want to make the typical PR XIX.  This was my second attempt at a PRU Blue aircraft, the first being the Mosquito PR XVI, which languished for a few years, not due to the paint, but due to decals.  Meanwhile I tackled this limited run kit by MPM way back in December 2008.

The Aircraft

The PR XI was basically a Mk VIII Merlin powered Spitfire, but with the unarmored wing of the PR IV, extra fuel tanks in the "wet" wings, and a non pressurized cockpit.  The nose is deeper to accommodate a larger oil sump for longer flights.  790 were produced in 1943-44.  The PR XI was the natural progression from the PR IV for a mass produced photo reconnaissance aircraft, replacing all of the earlier PR conversions and the PR IV from mid-1943.  The PR XI was subsequently replaced by the PR XIX, the Griffon powered variant.

681 Squadron served in the South East Asia Command (SEAC) theater.  Operating from Alipore airfield, India.  The squadron was first formed from Number 3 PRU at Dum Dum, India in January 1943, initially equipped with the PR IV.  The squadron re-equipped with the PR XI in October 1944 after they had moved to Alipore in May.  They moved to Mingdalon in June 1945.

The squadron re-equipped a final time to the PR XIX in August 1945 and then moved to Kai Tak airfield, Hong Kong in September with the Japanese surrender.

PL776/Y was completed 23 February 1944 and delivered to 681 Squadron on 17 April 1944.  She was used operationally until her engine cut and it made a belly landing near Whaiknyaung on 28 March 1945, she was struck off charge a month later.

The Model

This is a short run kit by MPM, kit number 72086.  It has options for one USAAF and two RAF machines with either the early rudder or later broad-chord pointed rudder.  It also contains some resin detail parts.  After clean up it went together quite easily for a limited run kit.  Frankly, cleaning up the parts was the most difficult part of the build.

Even the vac canopy was easy and I typically struggle with them.

The model was painted PRU Blue overall, using Model Master PRU Blue enamel.  The white SEAC identification bars were painted, although they came on the decal sheet.

The decals came in the kit and went on very nicely with just Micro-Sol and Set.

Summary

Even 5 years later the model still looks like one of my better results.  I didn't weather it at all as that was before my feeble attempts and botches, which is one reason I've gone back to no weathering; the models just look better.

Highly recommended as a first foray into limited run, if you can find the kit.  I've seen them at shows for very little, as some folks are put off by MPM, especially the older kits.

Thanks for looking...