If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.
Please note: This model is part of our Pre-Loved Collection and is graded Good (6/10) or below on our condition scale. The models will show signs of display use, wear or minor faults. Please check the Condition description and photos for a full breakdown before purchasing.
Hobby Master HA8303 1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII RAAF No.457 Sqn Grey Nurse *ISSUES*
Preowned - Good (6/10)
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
Description
A razor-sharp Pacific theater warrior showcasing one of the most aggressive liveries of WWII. This premium 1:48 scale diecast model by Hobby Master (HA8303) replicates the Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII (A58-602 / RG-V), flying with the legendary Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No.457 Squadron—famously known as the "Grey Nurse" squadron. Operating out of Morotai Island in April 1945, this fighter was the personal mount of Wing Commander H. R. Gibbes, a highly decorated ace who concluded his wartime service with 10.25 confirmed aerial victories and 14 probables. Developed as an unpressurized refinement of the high-altitude Mk VII, the Spitfire Mk VIII featured superb low-to-medium altitude performance and a more streamlined profile. This model meticulously portrays the unit's striking dark green and ocean grey camouflage scheme, famously personalized with white leading wing edges, a vibrant red propeller spinner, and the iconic, terrifying shark mouth nose art that came to define the squadron's identity in the Pacific.
Ideal for curators of Pacific air combat history and foundational 1:48 scale Allied fighter collections, this Air Power Series release serves as a definitive historical artifact. The substantial model is engineered with exceptional precision, boasting a solid metal wing structure integrated with detailed radiator cowlings and thin, near-razor trailing edges. Technical highlights include a removable or sliding canopy that reveals an unobstructed view of the cockpit interior, which is completely fitted out with pad-printed gauges, structural framing, and a correctly rendered control stick featuring a loop-style stick grip. External details feature separately applied engine exhaust stacks, an all-metal free-spinning three-bladed propeller, and an integrated wing root fairing that creates a flawless transition to the fuselage. Complete with premium hinged metal landing gear assemblies that transition seamlessly with integrated gear doors for ground display, alongside a custom display stand for an elegant in-flight profile, this premium diecast piece commands any historical presentation.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Hobby Master
Series: Air Power Series
Model code: HA8303
Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII
Serial/Tactical Code: A58-602 (RAF MV133) / RG-V
Nose Art / Nickname: "Grey Nurse" Shark Mouth
Pilot/Commander: Wing Commander H. R. Gibbes (10.25 Victories)
Unit: RAAF No.457 Squadron (No.457 Sqn)
Location: Morotai Island (Maluku Islands)
Date/Period: April 1945
Scale: 1:48
Material: Diecast Metal
Special Features: Authentic RAAF "Grey Nurse" shark mouth livery, sliding/removable canopy with detailed cockpit and loop-grip control stick, free-spinning propeller, separately applied exhaust stacks, hinged main gear with integrated metal doors, presentation stand
Model Dimensions
Length: 7.75" or 19.7 cm
Wingspan: 9.25" or 23.5 cm
Condition
Model Condition - Good (6/10)
- Model is in good condition overall and still displays well despite the noted defects.
- Paint wear is present to the leading edges and rear edges of the wings, caused by rubbing from the blister tray.
- There appears to have been an attempted repair to some areas of wing wear, with a different coloured compound visible.
- One machine gun port does not sit flush along the wing and is relatively loose.
- Some wear is present to the nose just before the propeller assembly.
- Comes complete with two fuselage aerials, stand and pilot figure.
Box condition - Very Good (7/10)
- Box is in very good condition overall, with noticeable wear present.
- One of the Velcro circles on the inner cover has been reglued down.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading
Grading Criteria
Mint (10/10)
- As new, no visible flaws.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks; displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear or small chips/rubs but still presentable.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear; better as a display/filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear or larger areas of paint loss.
Spares/Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage or missing parts.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Conditional Grading page.
Shipping
Goods will be shipped next day after the order is placed.
You can stay updated on your tracking information by clicking Track Your Order here. Alternatively, this can be located via the top menu under 'Track Your Order'.
Please allow extra time for delivery during the busy Christmas period.
UK Shipping
- Free Express Tracked Delivery (Royal Mail Tracked 24 – 1 Business day)
For orders over £100. - Free Premium Delivery (ParcelForce Express Tracked – 1 Business day)
For orders over £200. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2–3 working days) – £3.95
For orders under £100. - Royal Mail Express Tracked (1 business day) – £5.20
For orders under £100.
Worldwide
International shipping is available and fully insured up to the total order value. Add items to your cart and enter your delivery address in the cart to see postage before checkout. If you buy multiple items, the cart will automatically combine shipping costs based on item weight.
International Import Duties & Taxes
For selected duty-paid destinations, import duties and taxes are calculated and collected upfront at checkout. Where these charges are shown at checkout, your order will be shipped using a duty-paid service where available, helping to reduce the chance of additional import charges on delivery.
Selected European duty-paid destinations currently include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty-paid shipping may also be available for the United States, Norway and Switzerland where shown at checkout.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU), meaning import charges may be payable before delivery.
Products are packaged very well to ensure secure delivery and a happy customer.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.
%20replicates%20the%20Supermarine%20S...){kind=link}
Hobby Master HA8303 1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII RAAF No.457 Sqn Grey Nurse *ISSUES*
Sale price£62.00 GBP
Choose options
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
Description
A razor-sharp Pacific theater warrior showcasing one of the most aggressive liveries of WWII. This premium 1:48 scale diecast model by Hobby Master (HA8303) replicates the Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII (A58-602 / RG-V), flying with the legendary Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No.457 Squadron—famously known as the "Grey Nurse" squadron. Operating out of Morotai Island in April 1945, this fighter was the personal mount of Wing Commander H. R. Gibbes, a highly decorated ace who concluded his wartime service with 10.25 confirmed aerial victories and 14 probables. Developed as an unpressurized refinement of the high-altitude Mk VII, the Spitfire Mk VIII featured superb low-to-medium altitude performance and a more streamlined profile. This model meticulously portrays the unit's striking dark green and ocean grey camouflage scheme, famously personalized with white leading wing edges, a vibrant red propeller spinner, and the iconic, terrifying shark mouth nose art that came to define the squadron's identity in the Pacific.
Ideal for curators of Pacific air combat history and foundational 1:48 scale Allied fighter collections, this Air Power Series release serves as a definitive historical artifact. The substantial model is engineered with exceptional precision, boasting a solid metal wing structure integrated with detailed radiator cowlings and thin, near-razor trailing edges. Technical highlights include a removable or sliding canopy that reveals an unobstructed view of the cockpit interior, which is completely fitted out with pad-printed gauges, structural framing, and a correctly rendered control stick featuring a loop-style stick grip. External details feature separately applied engine exhaust stacks, an all-metal free-spinning three-bladed propeller, and an integrated wing root fairing that creates a flawless transition to the fuselage. Complete with premium hinged metal landing gear assemblies that transition seamlessly with integrated gear doors for ground display, alongside a custom display stand for an elegant in-flight profile, this premium diecast piece commands any historical presentation.
Fact Sheet
Brand: Hobby Master
Series: Air Power Series
Model code: HA8303
Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII
Serial/Tactical Code: A58-602 (RAF MV133) / RG-V
Nose Art / Nickname: "Grey Nurse" Shark Mouth
Pilot/Commander: Wing Commander H. R. Gibbes (10.25 Victories)
Unit: RAAF No.457 Squadron (No.457 Sqn)
Location: Morotai Island (Maluku Islands)
Date/Period: April 1945
Scale: 1:48
Material: Diecast Metal
Special Features: Authentic RAAF "Grey Nurse" shark mouth livery, sliding/removable canopy with detailed cockpit and loop-grip control stick, free-spinning propeller, separately applied exhaust stacks, hinged main gear with integrated metal doors, presentation stand
Model Dimensions
Length: 7.75" or 19.7 cm
Wingspan: 9.25" or 23.5 cm
Condition
Model Condition - Good (6/10)
- Model is in good condition overall and still displays well despite the noted defects.
- Paint wear is present to the leading edges and rear edges of the wings, caused by rubbing from the blister tray.
- There appears to have been an attempted repair to some areas of wing wear, with a different coloured compound visible.
- One machine gun port does not sit flush along the wing and is relatively loose.
- Some wear is present to the nose just before the propeller assembly.
- Comes complete with two fuselage aerials, stand and pilot figure.
Box condition - Very Good (7/10)
- Box is in very good condition overall, with noticeable wear present.
- One of the Velcro circles on the inner cover has been reglued down.
Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.
Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Grading
Grading Criteria
Mint (10/10)
- As new, no visible flaws.
Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling or display only.
Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks; displays very well.
Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear or small chips/rubs but still presentable.
Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear; better as a display/filler piece.
Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear or larger areas of paint loss.
Spares/Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage or missing parts.
For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Conditional Grading page.
Shipping
Goods will be shipped next day after the order is placed.
You can stay updated on your tracking information by clicking Track Your Order here. Alternatively, this can be located via the top menu under 'Track Your Order'.
Please allow extra time for delivery during the busy Christmas period.
UK Shipping
- Free Express Tracked Delivery (Royal Mail Tracked 24 – 1 Business day)
For orders over £100. - Free Premium Delivery (ParcelForce Express Tracked – 1 Business day)
For orders over £200. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2–3 working days) – £3.95
For orders under £100. - Royal Mail Express Tracked (1 business day) – £5.20
For orders under £100.
Worldwide
International shipping is available and fully insured up to the total order value. Add items to your cart and enter your delivery address in the cart to see postage before checkout. If you buy multiple items, the cart will automatically combine shipping costs based on item weight.
International Import Duties & Taxes
For selected duty-paid destinations, import duties and taxes are calculated and collected upfront at checkout. Where these charges are shown at checkout, your order will be shipped using a duty-paid service where available, helping to reduce the chance of additional import charges on delivery.
Selected European duty-paid destinations currently include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty-paid shipping may also be available for the United States, Norway and Switzerland where shown at checkout.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU), meaning import charges may be payable before delivery.
Products are packaged very well to ensure secure delivery and a happy customer.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.
If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.
Suggested links
Browse Sold Archive
Browse previously sold diecast aircraft and collectable models from The Collectables Vault. This archive shows past stock, rare releases, and examples of the models that may return in future collections.
Free Express UK Shipping
On orders over £100.
Satisfied or refunded
Building and maintaining our customers trust.
Top-notch support
Reliable and customer focussed service
Secure & Flexible Payments
Pay with multiple credit card options