Eduard Spitfire Mk.I Cockpit (648219 for Airfix) 1:48

[Mike]

Spitfire Mk.I Cockpit (648219 for Airfix)
1:48 Eduard Brassin

This is a complete replacement cockpit set for the new-tool Airfix Mark.I Spitfire, and comprises thirty three resin parts, a fret of pre-painted Photo-Etch (PE), and a small slip of acetate film on which the shape of the gun-sight is printed. This is all wrapped ziplok bags cocooned in protective foam top and bottom, inside their by-now standard rectangular box with the instructions. To fit it, all you'll have to do is scrape away the few raised ribs within the kit fuselage halves with a curved blade, and remove the crew-access door, which is already marked out by a deep panel line. Other than that, you will need to remove the casting blocks, which as usual are in the most sensible places, with small attachment points. Give the parts a wash in warm (not hot) soapy water, and you should be ready to go.

The instrument panel is first, built up on the fuselage frame through which the pilot's legs project. You have the usual choice of a resin one piece panel, or a three part lamination of pre-painted PE, with the compass built from a resin face with a folded PE base, and the gun-sight added to the slot at the top of the panel. The frame behind the pilot's head has armour and head-rests plus the mounting bracket for the seat frame in preparation for the seat that is added later. The floor is prepared by adding a cross-member and the rudder control linkages, with the rudder pedals themselves sat on top and PE straps attached across their upper edges. The control stick slots into the top of the linkage part, and then it's on to detail up the cockpit sides with resin bottles and PE controls before they are added to the sides after painting and weathering. It would be good practice to remove the paint on the mating surfaces to get a better join, and also to ensure there are no changes in width due to the fine tolerances.

The seat is a complex combination of PE for the armour and flare rack, with resin for the frame and seat pan, to which set of harnesses in painted PE are added before they are installed in the cockpit. With the cockpit sides added to the floor and frames, there are more detail parts to add to one of the two optional kit fuselage inserts that support the windscreen. A resin crew door and rear view mirrors are also in the bag, which is always good to see, and means that you don't have to be too careful removing the kit door.


Conclusion
What's not to like about these cockpit sets? The Brassin line has superb detail due to the 3D mastering and research by their teams, with everything you need in the box and very little adaptation of the kit necessary.

Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of