Xtrakit Spit F22

[Simon Cornes]

Maybe I've missed it but I don't recall seeing anything about this kit. I picked up a copy today and IMHO it looks very nice. I was a bit miffed that Hannants failed to get it on the shelves by Christmas - which I was told they intended to do - but its been on the Xtrakit list for at least 2 years so better late than never. I also have the Admiral 22/24/46 and reckon that Admiral were probably much cleverer with their planning by getting every possible optional part onto the sprues from day one and, although it costs more, you get lots of spares and a useful little p/e fret. I am now thinking that I can use Admiral spare bits with the Xtrakit version, which seems to have better cockpit sidewalls, u/c bays and separate cockpit door but possibly inferior cockpit 'floor'.

On balance I think that the Xtrakit is extremely good value but I have no idea how accurate it is. I would be very interested if someone could point me in the direction of a review, if one exists, or add their opinion to this thread to see if we can get to the bottom of the kit. I wonder why the Xtrakit has a separate under nose cowling? Maybe just to avoid a join line I suppose. The curved FR46 windscreen is also a nice touch but the parts sprue doesn't include the tail hook so no doubt there will be an extra sprue with the 46 kit, when it comes out! Also, I don't recall seeing a rash of Xtradecals for Post-war Spits or have I missed that too?!!!

Edited February 2, 2011 by Simon Cornes

[AnonymousFO98]

Does this help Simon?

Assume it is the same wee beastie.

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/lofiver...php/t61830.html

[Dave Fleming]

On balance I think that the Xtrakit is extremely good value but I have no idea how accurate it is. I would be very interested if someone could point me in the direction of a review, if one exists, or add their opinion to this thread to see if we can get to the bottom of the kit. I wonder why the Xtrakit has a separate under nose cowling? Maybe just to avoid a join line I suppose. The curved FR46 windscreen is also a nice touch but the parts sprue doesn't include the tail hook so no doubt there will be an extra sprue with the 46 kit, when it comes out! !!!

IT's only just out, so most haven't had the chance to pore over it yet. I'd be interested in the fuselage length, as the Admiral and Airfix ones appear slightly short.

The separate undercowl is because MPM are releasing the 'rest' of the late mark Spitfires, including the FR47.

See parts here:

http://www.cmkkits.com/en/news/late-version-spitfires/

Click on the pictures for a larger view

Edited February 3, 2011 by Dave Fleming

[Giorgio N]

I wonder why the Xtrakit has a separate under nose cowling?

Sounds to me that a Seafire 47 will arrive in the future ! One of the differences beween this version and the earlier ones is the different undernose cowling/intake

[Redboost]

Right, they have the other versions in the pipeline, just look at the clear sprue that will be common for all kits:

[The wooksta V2.0]

That sprue makes it all the more desirable. Spare parts for Spitfires are always welcome!

[Simon Cornes]

Thanks for the replies so far. That from Libor is interesting because it shows what the 'expensive' (MPM or CMK?) kit includes, ie rockets, which are not in the Xtrakit version. One thing that intrigued me was why they included the gun sight on the grey sprue, not the clear, but I will do like everyone else and fit a reflector from acetate. I agree with The Wooksta, a good spares source (but not as good as Admiral?) I see from Dave's very useful link that there will be separate sprues for high back fuselages although I appreciate that using a single fuselage core moulding with high or low back and alternative tail units may over complicate the kit and, at £12, dedicated kits for each mark are extremely affordable. Does anyone (Libor?) have any idea how far off the next releases are going to be? But then maybe Xtrakit will only release one more (FR46?) as they have only ever listed 2 late Spits.

[cvrle]

Did anyone get one? I'm interested in first-hand observations... The teardrop Spit is the most beautiful piston figter

So I'm wondering if the Xtrakit one is worth the Ł9,99?

[Simon Cornes]

Did anyone get one? I'm interested in first-hand observations... The teardrop Spit is the most beautiful piston figter

So I'm wondering if the Xtrakit one is worth the Ł9,99?

Yes, and Yes!! I also have an Admiral Spit 22 (24 + FR46) and they are good too, but the Xtrakit is very well priced, but no photo etch - and that may not matter to you!

[The wooksta V2.0]

Put it this way. I've all of the Spitfire F22s released in 72nd over the last 20 years and this is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best of the lot. Buy it and you won't be disappointed. For what you get, it's excellent value for money.

Edited February 19, 2011 by The wooksta V2.0

[-Neu-]

Put it this way. I've all of the Spitfire F22s released in 72nd over the last 20 years and this is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best of the lot. Buy it and you won't be disappointed. For what you get, it's excellent value for money.

I'm curious, how does the CMR 22 compare with the xtrakit?

[Paul J]

I've just bought 2 of these kits. IMO, it is a very nice kit. I had a really close look at the right hand fuselage half and there is a trace of another hatch just behind the canopy rail. (take a good look in the right light and you'll see this!)This is where the hatch was on the 24. The kit, being a 22, has this hatch a little further aft which is correct. In the Eduard issue of the Airfix 48th versions of this type they supply an etch template for this hatch to be rescribed in the appropriate position! So, a Mk.24 will be in the pipeline. As for the separate cowling under the nose, as has been pointed out, this is for the Seafire 47. The breakdown of this kit paves the way for all the very late Spits and Seafires with little tooling changes. Well though out.

I like this kit also because it is a cleaner moulding than the Admiral one, which I've seen, and the undercarriage 'boxing in' is very nicely done too.(Better I reckon) The only downside I've found so far is the tips to the propeller being a bit too rounded. But they can easily be sanded to the right shape or replaced should a decent aftermarket one be available. The fine surface detail is good and the canopy parts supplied are very useful. I also believe that a 21 could be in the offing by the fact that the high back type canopy and windsheild is supplied.

Worth the wait and worth the money. Others may not agree but you pays your money and you makes your choice. As for building, I'll get started very soon for the STGB to come!

Paul.

[Jennings Heilig]

I'm curious, how does the CMR 22 compare with the xtrakit?

I don't have either kit in this case, but of the CMR and Xtrakits kits I do have, I can tell you that it's like comparing a Lexus to an Escort. Both are four wheeled motorized transportation, but other than that they don't have much in common. It depends what you're looking for. CMR kits are jewel-like. The Xtrakits stuff is generally nice, but much more basic than the CMR stuff.

It's kind of an apples vs. oranges argument though. They're very different products.

J

[The wooksta V2.0]

I'm curious, how does the CMR 22 compare with the xtrakit?

Just as good but nearly three times the price. Plus it's resin so not as easy to build.

I suspect that the CMR kit may have been used as a master. MPM have a tieup with them somewhere.

As for the CMR/Xtrakit comparison. It's not entirely fair. Xtrakit have used tools from three separate manufacturers - MPM, Sword and Matchbox - and the latter two aren't in the sme league as MPM/Special Hobby. I have both the CMR and Xtrakit/MPM Meteor F8s and the latter are definitely superior.

Edited February 19, 2011 by The wooksta V2.0

[Greenshirt]

Just as good but nearly three times the price. Plus it's resin so not as easy to build.

I don't have the Xtrakit, yet, but I do have the CMR. I've built a number of the CMR resin Spitfires/Seafires and they are as easy as any limited run plastic kit. They take different skills because of the resin, but I haven't been disappointed with the end result. I cut my resin teeth on them, so to speak.

Regards,

Tim

[-Neu-]

Just as good but nearly three times the price. Plus it's resin so not as easy to build.

I suspect that the CMR kit may have been used as a master. MPM have a tieup with them somewhere.

As for the CMR/Xtrakit comparison. It's not entirely fair. Xtrakit have used tools from three separate manufacturers - MPM, Sword and Matchbox - and the latter two aren't in the sme league as MPM/Special Hobby. I have both the CMR and Xtrakit/MPM Meteor F8s and the latter are definitely superior.

I've got a CMR 22/24s (and built a 47 recently) so I was curious how it stacks up to the new contender.

[greycap]

Did anyone get one? I'm interested in first-hand observations... The teardrop Spit is the most beautiful piston figter

So I'm wondering if the Xtrakit one is worth the Ł9,99?

it seems to be worth the cash.the only reservation i have is the prop blades on my kit dont look very good.

regards.

greycap.

[Paul J]

it seems to be worth the cash.the only reservation i have is the prop blades on my kit dont look very good.

regards.

greycap.

As I mentioned in my comments above. I've made a start on the Xtrakit by improving the prop. The cockpit interior is good and in this scale I don't think it needs anything else other than belts!

[Redboost]

The propeller is completely wrong, besides the shape issues it has about 3mm smaller diameter. I replaced it with a CMR item, the difference on finished kit is obvious.

[The wooksta V2.0]

By comparision, how accurate is the one on the Admiral kit? IIRC, all boxings (22/24/46) have the same plastic with a spare prop in each.

[cvrle]

I'm interested in this as well... I'd rather spring a little more for the Admiral, since I don't have a replacement prop handy... (And a aftermarket one will, no doubt, push the price of the kit into Admiral's range)

Cheers!