Here is my Hasegawa’s 1/48th Mk.Vb bashed into a Mk.Vc to represent BR301, one of the aircraft flown by Sgt. George “Screwball” Beurling while serving with No. 249 Squadron on Malta during the summer of 1942. On July 27th of that year, Beurling downed two Macchi MC 202s, two Bf 109s, and damaged a further two Bf109s in the defence of the island. He used this aircraft to down another Bf109 on July 29th, but after that his association with BR301 seems to have ended.

By war’s end Beurling was credited with 31 destroyed, 1 shared destroyed, and 1 probably destroyed and a whole smattering of confirmed damaged that could not be proven destroyed. Ending the war as a Flight Lieutenant, George Beurling lost his life in a takeoff accident in the middle east on May 20, 1948.

Decals on my model are from Victory Productions “Aces of the Empire” set, except for the upper roundels which are from Aeromaster. Wings were sanded and rescribed, gun bay hatch area removed and replaced with an Ultracast hatch. I also used Ultracast’s wheels, propeller, spinner, exhausts, cannons and stubs, pilot door, and seat. GM-2 gunsight is from Cutting Edge.

Arguments between historians and modellers are the rule when it comes to the Malta Spitfires and opinions concerning the shades of gray and blue as well as underside colours differ. One thing that is certain from various autobiographies and photos is the crews on Malta, the carriers delivering the Spitfires, and perhaps the depots on Gibraltar did not demur from the task of overpainting these aircraft. One can only be ‘proven wrong’ in a choice few cases so if you’re inclined to build a Malta Spitfire then gather up your references and take your best shot!