SH48052 Seafire Mk.III ‘Last Fights Over the Pacific’ 1/48

The Seafire naval fighter was created during World War II as an emergency navalization of the Spitfire Mk.V. Gradually, versions Mk.I to Mk.III were produced with R&R Merlin engines (they were then followed by other versions with R&R Griffon engines designated Seafire Mk.15, 17, 45, 46 and 47 - Special Hobby offers the Seafire Mk.15, cat. no. SH48116, SH48125 and SH48233). Unlike previous versions, the Seafire Mk.III was equipped with folding wings. The R&R Merlin series 45 engine with the highest performance at low altitudes gave it performance that was higher at sea level than that of the land-based Spitfire Mk.IX. The Seafire Mk.III became the best naval fighter of British design of World War II. Although its fragile landing gear was a certain handicap when operating on aircraft carriers, it was a dangerous opponent in the air. Many a Japanese pilot could confirm that by the end of World War II.

 Kit SH48052 offers the choice of three Seafires operating on aircraft carriers in the Pacific. One of them was flown by Sub/Lt R.H. Reynolds, the highest-scoring Seafire pilot. Another machine took part in the very last battle of British naval fighters in World War II on the morning of 15 August 1945 when Sub/Lt G.J. Murphy shot down two Japanese Zero fighters in this battle. The kit box contains five grey styrene sprues, an injection-moulded clear canopy, a fret of etches and a self-adhesive film. 

-        reissue of this very interesting version
-        a type not offered by any other company