IBG Models 1/72 Supermarine Spitfire PR # 72583

The Supermarine Spitfire PR (Photo-Reconnaissance) variants were specially adapted versions of the famous Spitfire, developed to carry out high-altitude, long-range reconnaissance missions during the Second World War.

Stripped of armament and optimised for speed and altitude, these aircraft played a vital but often unseen role in Allied intelligence gathering.

Spitfire PR aircraft were fitted with high-resolution cameras mounted in the fuselage, allowing them to photograph enemy positions, airfields, ports, troop movements, and industrial targets deep inside hostile territory.

To maximise range and performance, guns were removed, additional fuel tanks were often installed, and the airframe was refined to reduce weight and drag.

Operating at extreme altitudes and relying on speed rather than defensive firepower, Spitfire PR pilots flew alone on long, dangerous missions.

Many aircraft wore the distinctive PRU Blue camouflage, designed to make them difficult to spot against the sky at high altitude.

Photo-reconnaissance Spitfires were instrumental in planning major Allied operations, including the Battle of Britain, the North African campaign, the D-Day landings, and strikes against key German installations.

The intelligence they provided was critical to strategic bombing accuracy and battlefield decision-making.

The Spitfire PR variants remain a testament to the versatility of the Spitfire design—silent, unarmed, and fast, yet among the most strategically important aircraft of the war.

This is a 1:72 scale plastic model kit of the Supermarine Spitfire PR Type C, a specialised photo-reconnaissance variant of the iconic British Spitfire used by the Royal Air Force in 1940–1941. The specific subject is the early-war “Heston Special” reconnaissance aircraft, notable for its stripped-down design tailored for high-altitude photographic missions rather than combat. 

Key Features:

Scale: 1:72 – ideal for collectors and diorama builders.
Subject: Supermarine Spitfire PR Type C “Heston Special”, an unarmed reconnaissance version of the early Spitfire used in demanding intelligence sorties in 1940.
Detail: Fine surface detailing and clean early-war airframe lines reflecting the unique reconnaissance configuration, with cameras and extra fuel rather than weapons.
Construction: Plastic parts requiring assembly; typical IBG crisp moulding quality.
Decals: Includes decals for the Heston-based aircraft markings from the 1940 period.
Model Length: Approximately 12.7 cm once built. Sklep Modelarski Exito

Glue, paints, and tools are not included  these must be supplied separately for assembly and finishing. Sklep Modelarski Exito
Intermediate skill level recommended due to the scale and detail of the kit.
This kit captures a lesser-seen reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire, making it a great choice for enthusiasts interested in early-war RAF reconnaissance aircraft and fine-scale modelling.