Just prior to the summer holiday break and with remaining work commitments only barely manageable, the editorial work ad this site is still running at low gear. However, I have managed to add two new images in Historic Photographs.

• Friendly fire is a rather well-known photo of an American Spitfire which force-landed at the beaches of Salerno. Full story follows.
  
  
• There is a general opinion is that RAF and commonwealth aircraft were rather below par with regard to personal markings, but there certainly were many exceptions contradicting the rule. The Australian pilot Jack Newton and his personal Pegasus emblem is the subject of our second photograph for today.

Labels: history, site updates, webmaster

• A new addition in our Art & Memorabilia gallery is the McLaren Spitfire - a family product with Spitfire connections that go beyond the looks.

Labels: site updates

Through the initiative of folks at Yahoo! Group on Supermarine Spitfire, a decision has been made to move the group's activities to the Spitfire Site and our discussion forums.

The level of discussion in the 10-year history of the Yahoo mailing list has been very high, and, to my knowledge, for years it remained the place to subscribe to if one wanted to discuss Spitfire matters.

The decision to move is a welcome recognition of the humble efforts put into this site. At the same time I hope that we can live up to all expectations of the Yahoo group members. Their expertise and interest is most welcome here.

So to the ones that have already migrated, and the currently moving: Welcome onboard. Feel free to look around, and register to get started at our discussion forum. This is your site too.

/Martin
Editor

Labels: webmaster

One more photograph has been added today.

• "Spitfires can take it" is an image originating from HMSO publications of the time, interesting because it shows typical effects of a belly landing in a Spitfire.

Labels: history, site updates

Tonight we have a pair of new images in Historic Photographs section.

• Deployment to France is a document of one of the first airstrips used to transfer fighter squadrons into France after D-Day, B4 Bény-sur-Mer.
  


• Little is known about overseas volunteer pilots in the ranks of the RAF, pilots which often came from the least expected places. Such as Trinidad or Barbados, as documented by this photo.

Labels: history, site updates

Another mostly-modelling update has been posted online today.

• A new addition in Scale Modelling is a pair of Spitfire models presented by Czech modeller Jiří Fiala - in the article entitled President's Spitfire.
  
  
• Also, with regard to the recently posted book review of Spitfire Girls. In response to my review, I have received a letter from Carol Gould, the author of the book. This has now been added at the end of the original article.
  
  
• I have also been contacted by Black Robin Resinz and updated the pricing information in yesterday's review of their 1/48 Spitfire Mk. XII Conversion Set.
  
  

Labels: modelling, reviews, site updates

Here is the today's short update.

• In Product News and Reviews, check the new modelling product from Black Robin Resinz of New Zealand - 1/48 Spitfire Mk. XII Conversion Set.
  
  
• Arguably less exciting read, but an important addition due to the rapidly growing number of our visitors is the Privacy Policy for the Spitfire Site.

Labels: modelling, site updates, webmaster

The update for today consists of two new articles in the Product News and Reviews section.

• Fresh from a printing press and only released last week is Carol Gould's book "Spitfire Girls". I'm pleased to be the first on the web to offer a review of this new publication.
  
  
• Another subject altogether is what may be the ultimate Spitfire gadget - a tiny 1/72 flying R/C model of this aircraft from Plantraco which opens up an entirely new prospect of putting up a dogfight in your living room!

Labels: reviews, site updates

Today we have two new additions in the Historic Photographs collection. I'm glad to announce that with this update the number of items in the collection now exceeds 100 archive photos - all carefully described and, to the best of our ability and resources, checked for provenance. Accumulated, this collection represents a solid amount of work, and I'm already looking forward to the next hundred - the pipeline is already full of interesting candidates!

The historic photographs have also prompted lively activity on the part of our readers in form of online commentary. Simply put, whatever is missing in my research on these photos seems to be quickly added by someone else. A perfect example of this is the recently added image of Spitfire Mk. Vc in Sicily, for which we now have a wealth of additional detail including the serial number!

I'd like to use this opportunity and direct a warm thank you for all contributions; please keep this good work going. To further encourage it, I have just introduced a new category in the collection: mystery photos, containing all images for which we're seeking further information.

Now on to today's additions.

• The hundredth posting in out collection is, fittingly, a photograph which to my knowledge hasn't previously been published. The last Spitfire from Exeter shows a curiously dressed Spitfire hauled from a repair workshop in this city. An intriguing photo which raises many questions.



• Also in this update is Seafire's combat debut - an evidence of the Seafire's first operational use during Operation Torch.
  


• Lastly, as mentioned above, check our previous mystery photos and see if you can help laying down the puzzles!

Labels: history, site updates

After a short but stressful break caused by malfunction of my blog's posting functionality, We're returning today with another update.

• A new addition in Camouflage and Markings is the article written with the indispensable help of Bjørnar Norås and Nils Mathisrud from Norway. A Question of Foreign Markings tells the full story behind one of the most unusual markings to be seen on a Spitfire in the closing months of World War II - PV181 of the Norwegian ace W/Cdr Rolf Arne Berg.
  
  
• We have also an interesting, if unusual new addition in our Art & Memorabilia gallery. Mecha Spitfire is one of those attractive Japanese toy-robot-anime-comic mashups. Have a look.

Labels: history, reference, site updates

The update for today consists of but one photograph, but I hope that you'll find it useful.

• Spitfire Mk. Vc in Sicily is an intriguing photo, but the one in need of additional information to identify the aircraft, units and people. Added yesterday to the Historic Photographs collection.  

Labels: history, site updates

Today we have three new additions for your reading pleasure.

• New in the Reference section is Y2-K Spitfire of F/Lt Arnold Roseland - colour analysis of the Spitfire Mk. IX serving with No. 442 Squadron RCAF, now a subject of a restoration project.
  
  
• In Product News & Reviews, we present JAYS Models Line of 1/72 Spitfire Kits.


• Finally, in Art & Memorabilia gallery we have a commendable Tribute to Pete Brothers, a contribution by Dutch artist Herman Veltorp.
  

Labels: history, reviews, site updates

The venerable British model kit manufacturer, Airfix, seems to be gaining a new lease of life.

In the mind of contemporary modellers worldwide, this company was long coupled with endless repackaging of 40-years old, well known but crudely moulded kits, many of them inherently difficult to build. In recent years there have been some upgrades to the ageing product line, but mostly not quite on par with current foreign offerings.

Now at last, Airfix seems to be seriously into some new thinking. This change of course seems to be closely coupled with the company's new ownership, Hornby, a strong player on the UK hobby market with clear marketing focus. Hornby's influence has already meant diversifying the Airfix product line, especially towards the younger audience, but long-term Airfix fans have been undoubtedly waiting for but one thing - an increased stream of new, truly modern kits of British (well, not only) subjects.

This year, the wait may be over. The announced programme of 2009 kit releases from Airfix is full of promising news.

New-tools kits for 2009

• 1/72 scale BAE Red Arrows Hawk


• 1/72 scale Spitfire PRXIX


• 1/72 scale Messerschmitt BF109G


• 1/72 scale MiG 15


• 1/72 scale Supermarine Spitfire MkIXc


• 1/72 scale Hawker Hurricane MkII c/d


• 1/72 scale BAE Hawk 128/132


• 1/72 scale Sea Harrier FRS1


• 1/72 scale Sea Harrier FA2­


• 1/350 scale HMS Illustrious

As you can imagine, the items which I'm particularly glad to see are two new-tool 1/72 Spitfires, including the PR Mk. XIX, one of the most elegant of the Griffon Spitfires and in need of a new mainstream kit.

Together with the announcement of this ambitious release programme, Airfix came with a new, revised logotype. It's a fitting gesture indicating how important the "classic" modelling market is to the company.

Let's just hope that with the current economical crisis Airfix can also deliver as planned. Or is it perhaps that we have hoped for the brand's revival for so long that the whole thing still sounds just a bit too good to be true. And we're still waiting for the promised 1/24 Mosquito...

Included below is a promotional video for the forthcoming Airfix HMS Illustrious.

Labels: modelling, reviews

• Supermarine Spitfire Variants - Single-Stage Merlin-Powered  is the title of this two-part illustrated guide which goes through all marks of the first line of Spitfire development, from the Mk. I to Mk. VI fighter variants, and from the Mk. I PR Type A to PR Mk. XIII photo-reconnaissance versions. By Jeff Webb, illustrated by various archive photographs.
  

Enjoy.

Labels: reference, site updates

Without further delay, here's the photo update for today:

• New pair of images have been added in Historic Photographs section. The first one is a rather unique gun camera footage from the period of the Battle of Britain, documenting an attack of a Spitfire Mk. I of No. 609 Squadron RAF on a formation of Heinkel He 111s.
  
  
• The second image and a story that goes with it are dedicated to Diana Barnato-Walker, one of the most prominent "Spitfire women" of the ATA.

Labels: history, site updates