the magnificent box artwork
This variant of Spitfire also saw the introduction of the fighter’s ‘C’ or ‘Universal Wing’, which proved to be something of an engineering triumph. Not only did this provide the fighter with a wing capable of supporting several different weapons configurations, it also cut down on labour and manufacturing time. Importantly for squadron pilots, the new wing also strengthened the relatively narrow undercarriage, angling the main gear slightly further forward and making the notoriously challenging ground handling of the Spitfire just a little more manageable. A thoroughbred fighting aeroplane, even the addition of an engine protecting Vokes Air Filter under the front cowling of the Spitfire could not alter its aesthetic appeal, even though it may have reduced its performance by around 20 mph.
Expected: Autumn 2020
Scheme A – Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc, 307th Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force, USAAF, La Sénia, Algeria, November/December 1942
Scheme B – Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc, No.2 Squadron, South African Air Force, Gioia del Colle, Italy, October 1943