Special Hobby – SH72482 – Seafire F/FR Mk.46

Description:

Seafire F/FR Mk.46

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a Supermarine Seafire F/FR Mk.46 fighter and reconnaissance aircraft.

The Seafire Mk.46, derived from the navalized Spitfire Mk.22, closely followed its predecessor, the Seafire Mk.45. It retained the fixed (non-folding) wing with a laminar-type aerofoil inherited from the Mk.22. The design incorporated features such as the low back rear fuselage and naval equipment, including a sting-type arrestor hook and catapult spools. Despite being a limited production run with only twenty-four units, it eventually gave way to the definitive Seafire FR.47. Interestingly, two variations existed within this small number: a fighter type and a fighter-reconnaissance version equipped with cameras behind the cockpit.

The kit includes five styrene sprues, one of which contains clear parts. The fuselage halves are available in two styles to accurately represent the differences between the fighter and fighter-reconnaissance airframes. The decal sheet accommodates two aircraft operated by No.1832 NAS RNVR at RNAS Culham. These include one fighter and another configured as a fighter-reconnaissance FR Mk.46 machine.

The kit inherits features from the large series of Seafires tooled by Special Hobby since 2012.