PR XIX PS852

Spitfire PR Mk XIX, PS582, 81 Squadron, Kai Tek Hong Kong, 1951

When I received my new PR XIX I decided I did not want a typical PRU blue overall scheme as I already had a Spitfire PR XI in my collection with that scheme. It just so happened that XtraDecal released a PR XIX decal sheet that had many optional paint schemes so I purchased it.

The Subject

One of the schemes is PS852 which was in the high altitude scheme of PRU blue undersides, Medium Sea Grey uppersides and a black anti-glare panel on the nose. Very colorful with the bright post-war roundels.

I decided to look up PS852 to see why XtraDecal would include it on their sheet, other than it was colorful. The top hit on Google was http://www.spyflight.co.uk/spit.htm titled “Spitfires over China”.

In short, Flight Lieutenant Ed “Ted” Powles was detached from Tengah, Singapore as part of 81 (PR) Squadron with 2 PR XIX aircraft, PS852 and PS854, to Kai Tek, Hong Kong in January 1951. He and his flight spent the following year photographing sites along the Chinese coast and to a degree inland China as well. Two flights are of particular interest.

On 22 May 1951 he flew from Hong Kong to the southern end of Hainan Island to photograph the docks. Because he had to fly below a cloud deck he had to make 3 photo runs instead of the planned 2 and after evading pursuing Chinese fighters, he ran out of fuel on the return trip to Hong Kong.

Ultimately he was able to land, dead stick with the aircraft otherwise intact after 3 ½ hours of flight.

On 27 August 1951 he flew a similar mission to the northeast corner of Hainan Island to photograph the harbor, port and airfield at Haikou. Again he landed dead stick as his fuel ran out on final.

Ultimately Ted Powles flew 63 missions over China during 1951.

The Model

Airfix PR XIX, a new mold that is crisp, accurate and a very easy build. It’s also inexpensive at only $6 from Squadron. I built it straight OOB, the paint was Model Master enamels. PRU Blue and Medium Sea Grey. For both I air brushed them using Painters Oil Medium III(available at Michael’s) as my thinner. It allows a very smooth finish but takes about a week to fully cure. Very much worth it if time is not important. The black anti-glare panel is Tamiya acrylic, and the entire model was sealed after decaling with Future.

Summary

Much can be done with this kit if one wants to take care and add some detail.  Myself, I enjoy it for its ability to be a pallet.


Thanks for looking...