Supermarine Spartan I P6984 'HE-H', 263 Sqn RAF, January 1941
A twin Merlin-engined, four-cannon fighter designed to Air Ministry Specification F.37/35, the Spartan first flew in late-1938. Development and production of the type was facilitated by the extensive use of Spitfire components such that the Spartan was initially known as the 'Twin Spitfire'. However the name Spartan (an ancient Greek warrior) was officially assigned in late 1939. Spartans entered service in mid-1940 with 137 and 263 Squadrons. They performed vital cross-Channel sweeps and were the first squadrons to take the air battle to the Germans. Unfortunately, a purely offensive fighter was not what the RAF needed at the time and production ceased after 200 had been built. The Spartan continued to serve in its niche role throughout 1941-42 until the Hawker Typhoon began to assume its place.
(donor kits: Airfix Spitfire I, Spitfire IXc, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Mosquito NFII/FBVI/FXVIII, Whirlwind I; Eastern Express Spitfire Vb 'Floatfire'); Italeri Spitfire Vb, Pegasus Spitfire F22/24)
It was interesting to compare the Spartan with the real world Whirlwind. The Spartan appears much chunkier than the Whirlwind, but I guess it all boils down to how much of a beast the 'Crikey' (WW2 slang for the Whirlwind - honest!) would have been with Merlins and a slightly longer fuselage to compensate. I'd say there'd have been no need for the dH Hornet (at least not in Europe) for the rest of the 40s.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimagizer.imageshack.us%2Fv2%2F800x600q90%2F922%2FW2qqbx.jpg&hash=f76a83aa049fe7f65105681cb119152774805d13) (https://imageshack.com/i/pmW2qqbxj)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimagizer.imageshack.us%2Fv2%2F800x600q90%2F924%2FnxsHQp.jpg&hash=531417f4b1f86c0aceb83b488f6145ef88a17440) (https://imageshack.com/i/ponxsHQpj)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimagizer.imageshack.us%2Fv2%2F800x600q90%2F923%2FolZ0jt.jpg&hash=a931fc6d99720e15bf06446d7e9d1fd4a6e06689) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnolZ0jtj)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimagizer.imageshack.us%2Fv2%2F800x600q90%2F923%2FsmTVtX.jpg&hash=15e37b0c1de4adbf61e3c78ad7c07ae981ed7f7e) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnsmTVtXj)
Enjoy! :D :D
Whoa! that's really nice all finished up like that.
That's an absolutely cracker-jack model! Two thumbs up!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Brian da Basher
I am flabbergasted as to how well it looks! It certainly is a beefy bugger but....................it looks so right. Well done a lovely kit :thumbsup:
Great-very beefy indeed
Van
great job! :wub:
Impressive and convincing :wub: :thumbsup: . And a great finish too :cheers:
very well done, the paintjob is really great. Dig the nose too !
Wow ! That is one tough looking little bird ! I love the way you're kept it looking like a Spitfire.....very nice. Love the paint as well, excellent job on that. Nice touch to include the pic of the Whirlwind as well, another superb build !
:cheers:
Curvy and convincing! Great paint job.
:thumbsup:
Amazing job, beautiful looking aircraft.
Very nice!
Looks like it could take abuse just as well as it could dish it out.
Oh man, you just gotta love that! Almost as sexy as a F7f. . . ;)
Honestly, a wonderful creation. :wub: :wub: :wub: :bow: :bow: :thumbsup:
I've been itching to say this ever since I read the name of this aircraft, and I'm happy to see that it lives up to the hype.
"Spartans, prepare for glory!"
I'm speechless! :wub: :thumbsup: :bow: :cheers:
Lovely. :wub:
comrade harps (in whiffy-envy) :unsure:
Thanks chaps for your very generous comments. Glad you liked it. :D :D
This is one of those ideas I find myself yelling out "Of course!" out of reflex since it looks so right.
An absolute pleasure to appreciate from every angle...thanks!
:wub: :thumbsup:
Extent the wing tips and add Merlin 65's and you have a high altitude fighter to tackle those Ju 86R's.
Bloody nice!!!!!
At first I thought oh yeah :zzz: but then I looked closer and wow :jawdrop:
It pays sometimes not to skim through the posts otherwise you miss models that deserve praise! :thumbsup:
Really nice
QuoteImpressive and convincing :wub: :thumbsup: . And a great finish too :cheers:
I agree wiv im....................and a bit more :thumbsup:
Kitbasher, this one finished up gorgeous! The progress shots were nice but wow! Nice finale :thumbsup:
Excellent build, simple as that.
Ian