1/48 Tamiya Spitfire Mk1 PRU

The Pink Spitfire!

by Anthony Manzoli

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PRU (Photo Reconnaissance Unit) Spitfire type "G"

Serial No. 4748  No. 140 Squadron RAF Hendon 1941 

There were many variations of the PRU Spitfire, among them was the "G" type, which was an armed version.   This particular aircraft serial no. 4748 flew with the 140 Squadron RAF Hendon around 1941.  The Pink colour of the PR spit would allow it to fly at low altitudes where it could blend in with the clouds during dawn and dusk when the clouds would take on a pinkish hew.  

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The kit was constructed mainly out of the box, with the exception of drilling holes in the port side access hatch of the fuselage and in the ventral position for the camera lenses.  I had minimal references for this particular aircraft so I followed the position of later PRU types for the camera locations.  Once the cockpit was built and painted, I painted and detailed the fuselage halves and inserted the cockpit and glued the fuselage together.  The kit goes together very smoothly and minimal filler is needed.  I tend to only use liquid paper or "white out" to fill the seams.  This can be filed smoothly with a polishing stick or fine grade sand paper.  Once the kit was completely built, I masked the canopy and cockpit and began the painting process.  Since the entire aircraft is pink including the landing gear, I mounted the struts in place as well, but did not glue them in.   I began the painting by preshading the panel lines with Tamiya Hull Red.  Once this was done , I mixed the hull red with Tamiya pink and matte white and sprayed thin layers over the entire plane.  This was allowed to dry and then a lighter mixture of the same colour was sprayed along the panels to give a faded look to the model.    Decals were pieced together from Aeromaster and Tally Ho sheets.  Once the kit was painted I glossed it with Pascoes Long Life applied with a soft sable brush.  I like applying the gloss this way since it self levels and I have more control.  The decals were applied with the help of Microset and Microsol.  I used Citadel brown ink for the panel lines and a final coat of  Pascoes Long Life mixed with Tamiya Flat Base was sprayed and allowed to dry over night.  

Note: There are two brands of PRU Pink on the market one by Don Color and the other by Xtracolor.  Below is a sample chip of the Don Color PRU Pink.  From what I have been told both of these brands are a bit dark compared to the actual PRU Pink which was used during WWII.   I am not an expert on the RAF and would only speculate on the exact colour used, without someone who would have actually seen the colour or an original paint chip you would have to mix your own colour to your satisfaction. 

(Don Colour Paint Chip)

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Final details included adding the camera lenses which I made from Krystal Clear which is basically a white glue that dries clear,  invisible thread for the antennae wire and Tamiya tape for the seat belts as well as the gun covers.  

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Final Note: The colour came out to be a little more pink then intended, but I thought I would settle with it.  Some photos of restored PRU Spits have been painted a much darker pink, probably because they wanted it to stand out more as the Pink Spitfire, but from what I have been told, the pink is very light almost an off white.  I settled for something in between.  The finished kit makes for an interesting conversation piece in my display case, amongst the grey and greens of my Luftwaffe kits this one really stands out.  The following link has photos of  restored PRU Spitfires including the Pink PRU

Photos and text © by Anthony Manzoli