The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1: Merlin Powered. a Comprehensive guide

This is the latest in the re-edition from the pioneering Datafile series, and sees the very welcome return of the Supermarine Spitfire to the catalogue.

This Second Edition, while retaining all of the original modelling content unabridged, has now expanded from 180 to 192 pages and includes additional model builds and notes covering the significant new toolings that have appeared in the years since the original publication, along with an updated list of currently available kits.

Out of print for many years, this Second Edition marks a welcome return for the very best modelling reference on the famous World War Two fighter. Approx 4 week lead time


192 pages, 64 in colour
Colour Side Views by Richard J. Caruana
Scale Fold-Out Plans by Jacek Jackiewicz

Decal and Accessory Listing
Photo coverage of preserved examples
All scales and types of kit listed
Full bibliograpphy
Full chronology of the type's development and operational use

The Spitfire - A Concise History
1. The Beginning
The birth of the Spitfire design
2. K5054 10
The first flight and testing of the prototype
3. The Early Spitfires
The Spitfire Mk I arrives in RAF service
4. Photo-Reconnaissance Spitfires
The Spitfire proves ideal in the PR role
5. Mk II to VI
The development and evolution of the design from Mk II to Mk VI
6. Mk VII to XI & Mk XVI
The final stages in the development of the Merlin-powered Spitfire including the two-seat Mk IX
7. The Spitfire in Belgium
The use of the Mk IX and MK XVI by the Belgium Armed Forces & Advanced Flying School
8. Seafire
The development and service use of a carrier-borne Spitfire

Modelling the Spitfire
Colour Side Views
Cockpit Artwork

9. The Basics
The starting point for modelling the Spitfire in 1/144th, 1/72nd, 1/48th, 1/32nd & 1/24th scales
10. Understanding the Subject
A detailed analysis of all the different versions of the Spitfire, and how to model them
11. Detailing
An extensive look in and around the Spitfire
12. Building the Spitfire
A look at a large number of Spitfire variants in 1/72nd scale
13. Colour and Markings
A modeller's guide to the colour and markings applied to the Spitfire throughout its career

Appendix I - Spitfire Kit Listing
A complete listing of all Spitfire construction kits
Appendix II - Spitfire Accessories & Conversions
A complete listing of accessories produced for the Spitfire & Seafire
Appendix III - Spitfire Decals
A concise listing of all Spitfire & Seafire decal sheets
Appendix IV - Spitfire Powerplants
Technical specifications of all Rolls Royce Merlin engines used in the Spitfire & Seafire,
including Packard-built versions
Appendix V - Spitfire Variants
A complete listing of the technical specifications of all the different Merlin powered
Spitfire & Seafire variants
Appendix VI - Spitfire Genealogy
The genealogy of the (Merlin) Spitfire from prototype to Mk XVI (inc Seafires)
Appendix VII - Spitfire Squadrons
A complete listing of Spitfire Squadrons
Appendix VIII - Spitfire Operators
A concise list of all foreign operators of the Merlin powered Spitfires & Seafires
Appendix IX - Spitfire Production
A complete listing of Spitfire & Seafire production
Appendix X - Spitfire Bibliography
A concise list of books, journals and periodicals

Fold-out Scale Plans