Spitfire LF Mk VIII LF No 79 Squadron, 80 Wing, RAAF Morotai, Indonesia, RAAF Prints
Images are reduced fidelity for copyright protection.
The first major Spitfire update, the Mk VII and VIII differed only in cockpit pressurization with the Mk VIII being unpressurized. The fuselage was lengthened forward of the cockpit and the more powerful engines drove a four-blade propeller with a more pointed spinner. Internal fuel capacity was nearly doubled, and the landing gear was revised. The exhaust manifolds were changed to individual with a revised "fishtail" shape. The underwing port radiator was enlarged to handle the more powerful engine and the tail wheel was retractable.
MK VIII Spitfires served primarily in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters. "HAVA GO JO!!" is a LF Mk VIII intended as a low altitude fighter with a Merlin 66 engine. She was flown by Lt Norm Smithell of the Royal Australian Air Force's 79 Squadron, 80 Wing based in Morotai Indonesia. A58-517 carries a standard grey/green upper over light grey lower camouflage scheme with visual identification all white empennage and wing leading edges. The Dumbo graphic was Smithell's taunt to Japanese gunners and a pun about the emperor.
Any Fighter Studios print can be customized with different squadron marking, different store configurations, names on the nose or canopy rail. To get yours started, click Personalized Print for more information.
Images are reduced fidelity for copyright protection.
The first major Spitfire update, the Mk VII and VIII differed only in cockpit pressurization with the Mk VIII being unpressurized. The fuselage was lengthened forward of the cockpit and the more powerful engines drove a four-blade propeller with a more pointed spinner. Internal fuel capacity was nearly doubled, and the landing gear was revised. The exhaust manifolds were changed to individual with a revised "fishtail" shape. The underwing port radiator was enlarged to handle the more powerful engine and the tail wheel was retractable.
MK VIII Spitfires served primarily in the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters. "HAVA GO JO!!" is a LF Mk VIII intended as a low altitude fighter with a Merlin 66 engine. She was flown by Lt Norm Smithell of the Royal Australian Air Force's 79 Squadron, 80 Wing based in Morotai Indonesia. A58-517 carries a standard grey/green upper over light grey lower camouflage scheme with visual identification all white empennage and wing leading edges. The Dumbo graphic was Smithell's taunt to Japanese gunners and a pun about the emperor.
Any Fighter Studios print can be customized with different squadron marking, different store configurations, names on the nose or canopy rail. To get yours started, click Personalized Print for more information.