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Thursday, February 02, 2012 - 11:03 PM UTC
MPM Production have sent us details of their exciting new quarterscale Seafire Mk.XV, available in Royal Navy and Aéronavale boxings under the Special Hobby banner:
To boost the performances of new Seafire versions, Supermarine Company similarly to Spitfire development used R&R Griffon engine. The development of Griffon powered Seafire version was started in 1943. The new version was somewhat crossover of several existing Spitfire and Seafire versions. The new version was designated Seafire Mk.XV. The mass production started at Cunliffe-Owen (182 produced machines) and Westland (246 machines); Supermarine only manufactured prototypes. The first 51 produced aircraft were still equipped with “A” arrestor hook mounted below the fuselage. This assembly unfortunately strained the already strengthened fuselage and therefore the subsequent machines were equipped with “Stinger” arrestor hooks located at the end of the fuselage. This solution led to the change of the vertical fin's rudder. Seafire Mk.XV came to squadrons in 1945 with possible assignment to Far East. However, these machines came too late to take part in the fights there. Eventually, eight combat FAA squadrons were equipped with Seafire Mk.XVs.

Seafire were also exported to Canada, France and Burma. Royal Canadian Navy used these Sefaires aboard HMCS Warrior, the sole Canadian aircraft carrier, and on ground bases. Similar deployment occurred in France with Aéronavale. French Seafires operated from aboard Arromanches aircraft carrier as so from the ground bases. Burma stripped all naval equipment from their Seafires and deployed them against China supported Communist terrorists in 1950. Since 1947 when the change in designation of British aircraft was introduced, this Seafire version was re-designated to Mk.15.

We present you Seafire of this version in two boxes:

SH48116 Seafire Mk.XV „Far East Service“ 1/48
The kit contains three sprues with grey plastic parts, one sprue with clear parts, decals and photo-etched parts. The included plastic parts will allow building either version equipped with “A” hook or with later “Stinger” arrestor hook. The fuselage features both finely engraved panel lines and over plating. Decals included offer four machines with later arrestor hook version. The machines sport the so-called Pacific insignias and differ from each other mainly in camouflages.

SH48125 Seafire Mk.15 "Aéronavale Service" 1/48
The plastic and photo-etched parts are the same to previous kit but as the name says the decals are different. Decals included offer three machines with earlier “A” arrestor hook version. All machines feature newer version of British naval camouflage. The combination of this camouflage and French national insignias creates fancy, colorful machines.


Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
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Comments

Indeed, this is a very exciting release. I'll be picking one up when they are available.
FEB 03, 2012 - 02:25 AM
good to see more griffon powered options coming out.
FEB 03, 2012 - 02:37 AM
This is good news, I may just have to get one of each boxing as I like the look of the French machine. With this Seafire I'll have one of each version including the hooked Spitfire Vb.
FEB 03, 2012 - 02:45 AM
MPM seems to agree the Airfix Mk XII is quite off throughout the whole fuslage depth... Look at the height available under the canopy... (Model By Neil Robinson) Gaston
FEB 03, 2012 - 10:51 PM
Hi there Oh dear - it looks like we're in for the latest Hollywood blockbuster sequel: "Handbags At Dawn 2 - This Time It's Naval..." All the best Rowan
FEB 03, 2012 - 11:13 PM
Personally I'll wait until I see the plastic, not try to make an assumption based on two differing pictures, from different angles, of two different manufacturers take on similar aircraft, because frankly I don't see a whole lot of difference, the Airfix kit is fuller at the base of the fin, thats all I can tell for certain, maybe its just me? Of course you are assuming SH have got it any more right than Airfix.
MAR 13, 2012 - 01:47 AM
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