AZ Model Plastic Model kit Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII RAAF — 1:72

Manufacturer

AZ Model is a Czech specialist manufacturer known for producing aircraft subjects and variants that are often less extensively represented by the major mainstream manufacturers. AZ7518 is part of its 1:72 Spitfire range and specifically depicts the Spitfire Mk.VIII in Royal Australian Air Force service.

The exact kit identification is well supported: specialist catalogues list AZ Model AZ7518 as “Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII RAAF”, in 1:72 scale.
Kit contents

AZ7518 is an unassembled, unpainted 1:72 injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit. The documented AZ Model product format includes the plastic airframe, decals and illustrated assembly instructions; the retailer listing specifically describes the kit as a plastic model for assembly and painting with decals for the relevant marking options.

The kit represents the Mk.VIII configuration, including:

Fuselage halves

Upper and lower wing components

Tailplanes and rudder

Cockpit and pilot's position

Merlin engine cowling

Four-bladed propeller

Retractable undercarriage

Radiator and oil-cooler assemblies

Armament and under-wing fittings

Clear cockpit components

RAAF decal markings

Illustrated assembly instructions

Aftermarket references also specifically identify AZ's Mk.VII/VIII/IX tooling as compatible with dedicated cockpit-detail accessories, providing additional confirmation of the kit family.
History of the full-size aircraft

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII was one of the most important later developments of the Merlin-powered Spitfire. It was designed as a substantially improved airframe rather than simply another engine/armament modification.

The Mk.VIII evolved from the high-altitude Mk.VII and incorporated changes intended to improve the Spitfire's structural strength, aerodynamics and operational capability. The aircraft had an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage, cantilevered wings, fabric-covered control surfaces and retractable landing gear. The RAAF's official heritage information records a length of 9.54 m, wingspan of 11.23 m, maximum weight of 3,638 kg, range of approximately 1,094 km, ceiling of 43,000 ft, and maximum speed of 669 km/h for the Mk.VIII represented by its preserved Australian aircraft.
Development and engine

The Mk.VIII was intended to become the principal new-generation Merlin Spitfire. Its development was complicated by the urgent appearance of the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190.

Rather than wait for the completely redesigned Mk.VIII to enter production, Britain produced the Spitfire Mk.IX by adapting the existing Mk.V airframe to accept the more powerful Merlin 60-series engine. This enabled the RAF to field a competitive aircraft much sooner.

The Mk.VIII subsequently entered production as the more comprehensively redesigned aircraft. Three principal engine/altitude versions existed:

F Mk.VIII — standard fighter

HF Mk.VIII — high-altitude fighter

LF Mk.VIII — low-altitude fighter

A total of approximately 1,652 Mk.VIII aircraft were built.

The RAAF operated Mk.VIII aircraft in the South West Pacific, where tropicalised aircraft were particularly important. The Australian War Memorial has photographs documenting tropicalised Mk.VIIIs belonging to No. 457 Squadron RAAF at Morotai in 1945.
Spitfire Mk.VIII in RAAF service

The Mk.VIII became particularly associated with Australian Spitfire operations during the final phase of the Pacific War.

Australian squadrons including Nos. 79, 452 and 457 Squadrons operated Mk.VIIIs in the South West Pacific. The aircraft were employed increasingly in ground-attack, strafing and tactical-support missions, rather than solely in the fighter-interception role for which the original Spitfire had been designed.

The RAAF Mk.VIIIs are especially recognisable for their distinctive tropical camouflage and, in the case of No. 457 Squadron, the famous “Grey Nurse” shark-mouth markings.

The Australian War Memorial records Spitfire A58-672 of No. 457 Squadron at Morotai in May 1945. The aircraft was issued to the squadron on 7 May 1945 and carried shark's teeth on its nose.

No. 457 Squadron flew its first operations from Morotai on 10 February 1945. Its missions included attacks on Japanese camps and shipping and escorting other aircraft involved in attacks. Later in the campaign, the squadron also employed dive-bombing and strafing techniques and participated in the Borneo campaign.
Australian camouflage and markings

RAAF Spitfire Mk.VIIIs are of particular interest to modellers because their markings could differ considerably from standard RAF aircraft.

Aircraft were delivered from Britain and received RAAF serial numbers after arrival. Camouflage schemes could involve combinations of Foliage Green, Dark Earth, Sky Blue, Azure Blue and other locally applied colours, depending on the aircraft and period.

The distinctive shark-mouth markings of No. 457 Squadron led to the squadron's nickname “Grey Nurse Squadron.” Australian Mk.VIIIs could also carry individual pilot markings, squadron codes and personal artwork.
Surviving RAAF Spitfire

One of the most famous surviving Mk.VIIIs is A58-602, preserved in Australia. The Royal Australian Air Force records that the aircraft was built by Supermarine in England in 1944, shipped to Australia and delivered to the RAAF in April 1945.

It did not see operational service because the war was nearing its end. After the war it was used as an instructional airframe at Sydney Technical College before being restored to flying condition in 1985. It is now associated with the Temora Historic Flight and wears RAAF Mk.VIII camouflage and the markings of Wing Commander R. H. “Bobby” Gibbes.

This surviving aircraft provides an excellent real-world reference for the type represented by AZ7518.
Selling prices

The exact AZ7518 is currently listed by Aviation Megastore at €14.83 and marked temporarily out of stock.

Using the current EUR/GBP rate of approximately £0.861 per €1, that converts to approximately £12.76.

A separate JadarHobby listing shows AZ7518 at 65 PLN. Using the ECB's recent reference rate of approximately £0.198 per PLN, that is approximately £12.87.

Price references:

£12.76 — converted from Aviation Megastore's €14.83 listing; currently temporarily out of stock.

£12.87 — converted from JadarHobby's 65 PLN listing.

These converted figures are indicative retail equivalents, not UK checkout prices; VAT, shipping and retailer exchange rates can change the actual amount paid.
Identification summary

Title: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII “RAAF” — 1:72
Manufacturer: AZ Model
Part Number: AZ7518
Barcode: 8592016AZ7518
Scale: 1:72
Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII
Edition: RAAF
Country: United Kingdom / Australian service
Role: Single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber
Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin family
Maximum speed: Approximately 669 km/h
Wingspan: 11.23 m
Length: 9.54 m
Production: Approximately 1,652 Mk.VIIIs
RAAF operators: Including Nos. 79, 452 and 457 Squadrons
Kit contents: Injection-moulded plastic, clear parts, RAAF decals and illustrated instructions