This is the Tropicalised version of the Spitfire Mk.V, original variants used the ‘b’ wing but an improved version using the ‘c’ wing emerged in 1942 with provision for four 20mm Hispano cannon with the blisters featured on top of the wing to house the ammunition drums. The main difference was the huge tropical Vokes air filter under the chin which had the diverse effect on performance with slower air flow to the supercharger. The new dessert camouflage was used on the Trop versions.

The Mk.Vc Trop was used extensively in the Mediterranean and North Africa campaigns. It was used in the defence of Malta but heavy losses, mainly due to bombing and ground attacks meant further reinforcements were required. 46 Mk.Vc’s were sent in April 1942. With HMS Eagle damaged the delivery was implemented by USS Wasp. Unfortunately, many of these were destroyed on the ground soon after landing by a bombing raid. A further 60 were supplied at the end of April during Operation Bowery. The aircraft were dispersed soon after landing to intercept the imminent threat of attack and succeeded in destroying many of the attacking aircraft. The defence of Malta was finally assured and reduced the threat to the North Africa campaign. Some Squadrons were deployed for the El Alamein battle as a top cover for the ground attack aircraft and continued the role with the advance across North Africa.

Mk.Vc’s also saw service in Burma, Australia and briefly India before being replaced by the Spitfire Mk.VIII in January 1944. The Mk.VIII was exclusively used for the remainder of the war in the Mediterranean and Far East.

As far as I could work out there is one Mk.Vc Trop on display in Serbia.