September 25, 2025

Preview update: all the details on Kotare's 1/32nd scale Spitfire Mk.Vb...

We have more information on Kotare's 1/32nd scale Spitfire Mk.Vb in colour profiles (& details of the delay so far.) A new bonus for waiting, the first-run extras, markings & new sprues (in CAD) in our preview...

Preview update: all the details on Kotare's 1/32nd scale Spitfire Mk.Vb...

Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early)
From Kotare
Kit No #K32006 
1/32nd scale
141 parts
35cm wingspan.
Three marking choices were included from Cartograf. 
Expected late 2025.
Price: US$109
The Subject: The Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early)
Early production Mk.Vb (as featured in this model) completed from early 1941 incorporated Mk.I/II airframe improvements introduced up to that time, including constant-speed DeHavilland & Rotol propellers, a carb intake ice/snow guard, a fireproof bulkhead, deletion of the 47 gal fuel gauge in the instrument panel, engine-driven undercarriage controls, windscreen de-icing, a Martin-Baker hood release (jettison) system, a composite seat, pilot’s armour plating, IFF Mk.II, a single parachute landing flare chute, an electrical test door in the port wing fairing, raised rivet wireless and accumulator doors, a Plessey flare device, and a reinforced tailwheel strut. They also featured the improved “B” type wing, metal-skinned ailerons, improved cannon shell ejection chutes, symmetrical/double-bulged and early asymmetric underwing cannon fairings, a two-cell radiator, and an improved oil cooler design.
The Mk.Vb aircraft had operationally served with the USAAF Fighter Groups of the 4th, 31st, and 52nd through late 1941 and early 1942. This kit shows American, Polish-flown & RAF Spitfires in 1941/42.

The kit:
Kotare has released the final details of their 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb. Some delays and some good news also...

A diagram showing the revised parts in this boxing for the Mk.Vb are in blue...
The development of the K32006 Kotare 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early) has taken much longer than we expected. After evaluating the most recent set of test shots, it became evident that, while the tooling company has made great progress, Kotare needed to make the unavoidable decision of requesting additional corrections to maintain quality. They expect updated test shots to be available early to mid-October, and the kitmakers hope that all their concerns have been met.

Kotare now do not expect the K32006 Kotare 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early) to be ready for release until late in Q4 2025 at the earliest. Obviously, this is much later than was initially expected and clearly not what was hoped for. As a way of rewarding your loyalty and support, Kotare will include an extra 3D-print detail set (32P003 Kotare 1/32 Spitfire Door Mk.I/II/Va/Vb Early) for all existing pre-orders for K32006 Kotare 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb (Early) placed before 30 September 2025. 

This is in addition to the 32P001 exhausts and box art print already included with pre-orders. 32P003 Kotare 1/32 Spitfire Door (Mk.I/II/Va/Vb Early) features extra fine 3D-printed resin detail not possible in plastic due to injection moulding constraints. (This detail set will be available for sale separately in the future.) 

The kit features 141 high-quality injection-moulded plastic parts with 38 all-new tooled parts, including wings with 20 mm cannon armament and optional magazine fairings, ailerons, engine cowling, cockpit sidewalls, fuselage spine, and tailwheel. Also included are a windscreen with de-icing, a hood with a Martin-Baker jettison system, a fireproof bulkhead, dual-height rudder pedals, an instrument panel with rectangular & curved blind flying panels, an elevator trimming wheel, an ice/snow guard, engine-driven undercarriage controls, a composite pilot’s seat, IFF Mk.II, and port wing fillets with an electrical connection door. 
Also revised for this model: optional Supermarine & CBAF undercarriage doors and engine top cowlings, open & closed cockpit doors, crowbar, DeHavilland & Rotol propellers, and wheels with weighted tyres featuring correct alignment.
This kit includes a 32-page, fully illustrated instruction manual.

There are high-quality Cartograf decals for three Spitfire Mk.Vbs, including Polish & USAAF choices:
A = Spitfire Mk.Vb R6923 QJ-S, AR Wright, 92 Squadron RAF, May 1941

B = Spitfire Mk.Vb W3328 PK-T, ZZ Czaykowski & E Jaworski, 315 Squadron, October 1941

C = Spitfire Mk.Vb HL-C, FA Hill & E Dalrymple, 308th FS, 31st FG, 8th Air Force USAAF, July-August 1942
Pre-order bonus 
All pre-orders placed through www.kotare-models.com will receive a 32P001 Kotare 1/32nd scale Spitfire Mk.Ia (Mid/Late), Mk.Va/Vb (Early) 3D-printed exhaust (value US$12.99) ...
...and an exclusive free beautiful Darryl Legg box art print suitable for framing (only while stocks last).

 This kit is now available for pre-order directly from their website...





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