Airfix 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I/II

AIRFIX 1:48 SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK.I/II

Reviewer: John Armstrong (contact via SMAKR webmaster)
Kit Review submitted: 30 July 2009

The Plane

The Spitfire needs no introduction to aviation (and non-aviation) fans around the world. The Marks I & II were the types that flew in the epic Battle of Britain. It was therefore these two types are ensured the Spitfire’s immortality.

The Kit

Airfix have a long history of producing 1/48 Spitfire kits. Their Vb kit dates back to the early 1980s. This old kit has long been well thought of by modellers. Some of their more recent offerings of 1/48 Spitfires have received more mixed receptions. So how does this kit compare?

When you open the box, you are immediately impressed by the fine engraved panel lines (you will also notice a fair number of parts for other Airfix 1/48 Spitfire types, which in this kit are redundant). Another feature is the fabric ailerons.

There is very little flash to be seen, and there were no sink marks on my example. Whilst I do not have any 1/48 Spitfire plans; nevertheless, I would say that it looks a very accurate kit in outline. The only downsides are the slightly thick tail planes, and the need to thin down the wing trailing edges if you wish to pose the model with flaps up (as I did).

One thing to note here is that some Airfix 1/48 Spitfires have quite thick wing leading edges. This kit is much better in this respect.

Construction

Construction begins with a pretty well detailed cockpit, together with Airfix’s trade mark 1/48 WWII Pilot figure (Call me old fashioned, but I really do appreciate a pilot to put in a cockpit).

The fit of the major parts is good, and only fairly minimal sanding of seams is required. The only area requiring work is the fit of the wings to the fuselage. Here I need to add a small piece of sprue as a ‘spacer’ to the forward fuselage. This ‘padded it out’ a fraction and ensured a nice tight fit.

The rest of the construction was trouble free.

Painting

After priming with Halfords Grey primer, the lower surfaces were sprayed with Rail Match Sky (diluted 20% with acrylic thinner. The upper surfaces were then sprayed with the camouflage pattern – Xtracrlyic RAF Dark Green over Xtracrylic Dark Earth (both diluted 20% tap water).

The paint work was then sealed in with 2 coates of Johnson’s Klear/Future.

Decals

The kit comes with 2 options. The first is a pre-war Mk.I with a 2 bladed propeller. The second is a M.II from 1941. I chose the latter. The decals were nicely printed and performed very well. There was a little silvering with the stencils.

The decals were then sealed in with a spray of Revel Aqua matt varnish, diluted 20% with tap water.

Conclusion

I believe this was the first new tool kit issued by the new look Airfix after its rescue by Hornby. This kit is indeed a worthy addition to the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire range. I would not recommend this kit to a novice. However, with a little experience and a willingness to think through the problems: this kit will be well-received by Spitfire fans.

So go and get one!

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