FZ6

These two articles are informative for explaining the differences. The F-8 is very similar to the A-8 you'd need to source bomb racks and delete the outboard cannon armament as well. I'm sure there are other subtle differences as well. https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/modellers-guide-to-focke-wulf-fw-190-variants-part-i/ https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/modellers-guide-to-focke-wulf-fw-190-variants-part-ii/ Hope this helps, Mark

I've been working on a Revell F-8 and it's so far been an enjoyable kit to build but some care is needed when assembling the multi part cowl to avoid fit issues. One thing to bear in mind that the current Revell offering available is a Sturmbok so you you might have to souce one of the out of production kits unless you want to build this variant. Hope this helps, Mark

A few years ago, Xtrakit sold a Spitfire XII in 1/72. Sadly doesn't seem to be available currently. I picked one up at a show for a good price a few years ago so this may be worth looking out for one as I thought it was a nice kit and is another route to a Spitfire XII.

The Aerotech Spitfire is still available to order from Hannants at an expensive price though and currently out of stock. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AT32020 The panel line differences on the wing are evident in the product photo

I think the most noticable differences in the cockpit would be the change to the bakerlite seat although you may get away with painting the kit seat in the red brown colour. However the other main difference would be the undercarriage selector. You could source one of these from one of the Barracuda Cockpit update sets such as this one https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/BCR32174 Kotare's website does explain the main differences and other things such as armour plate and the de havilland constant speed propellor that would be standard on the later production MK.I were retrofitted to earlier Spitfires anyway so are included in the kit. Hope this helps, Mark

4mm isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things and I thought the Fly kit looks ok to be honest. It's only when I did a side by side comparison that I noticed the difference. Correcting whichever one is incorrect might be a bit tricky due to the texture on the rear fuselage so if I build both, I'll have to make sure I never display them next to each other. Getting the rear fuselage length seems to be tricky for manufacturers to get right. Spitfirers in various scales have suffered from this over the years as well. The differences in the wing chord in the photos are mainly down to the way the wing is split on each kit although It looks like the Fly one ends a tiny bit further back than the Revell one. I'l provide some photos but it's interesting how Fly and Revell have moulded the doghouse. The Revell dogfhouse tapers in a bit more resulting in a different shaped bulkheasd than the Fly one and I think the Revell one looks a little better in this respect. Also, the cockpit opening is parallel on the Fly kit vs a tapered opening on the Revell kit which I think is more accurate. Regarding the surface detail, I think the revell one looks better in most respects, However, I do like the way Fly have added raised and recessed rivets to the wing which looks good. Regarding rear fuselage texture, here's a pic I took in 2010 of the real thing..... Hurricane by Mark Maclean, on Flickr Very subtle indeed but noticable as well.

As promised, here is a couple of photos of the fuselage halves with dimensions. From the rudder post the the panel line forward of the cockpit, I get approx 184mm on the Revell kit and 188mm on the Fly Models kit When I line up the panel line just behind the engine panel, it becomes aparant that the difference is between the two kits is in the rear fuselage. Hurricane Fuselage by Mark Maclean, on Flickr I'm not sure what this meassurement is on the real thing but the overall dimensions I've seen quoted for a Hurricane II is 32ft 3ins

Hi @Troy Smith, My initial thought was that the Fly one might have been more accurate as some Revell kits I have bought such as the Halifax in 1/72 has shape issues. However if the research was done by Radu Brinzan and Revell didn't misinterperet it, maybe the Revell one is more accurate in this case. It is certainly my intention to supply some photos and provide dimensions and will do this later. Regards, Mark

I've recently acquired a new tool Revell Hurricane IIA and as I have a Fly Sea Hurricane in the stash, it was only natural that I compared the two and during the comparison, I've noticed that even if you exclude the part that is moulded seperately moulded front part on the Revell kit, the Fly Hurricane seems to be about 4mm longer than the Revell Fuselage half. Most of the difference seems to be in the rear fuselage. Further analysis is required but I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this and if so, which one is more accurate? Thanks in advance, Mark

A cracking series of books!

Some useful info on this thread. I was only thinking the other day about drawing some of these up in CAD for 3D Printing. Will have to let you know how I get on. Regards, Mark

Either this book or the same data sources. https://www.wingleader.co.uk/shop/spitfire-mk1-wpa1

No Problems! Happy for you to repost the picture on here. Happy to help Regards, Mark

There is that added bunus although I think it's aluminium so not as heavy as you might think

A nice accessory to improve any sword or Airfix Lightning is this intake ring and nosecone my Mini World. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MINA7251 Expensive but if you want to make a really special Lightning, it will make all the difference.

Your main choices for a Lightning in 1/72 are still Airfix or Sword but there is no version crossover between the two manufacturers so if you want to build an F1/F2/F3 or T4/5 then your best choice is sword. For the F2a/F6 go with Airfix. If you just want a lightning and aren't too fussed about which one you want to do, the airfix one is the best option you just have to make sure you do a lot of test fitting and sanding around the intake when you close it up because it is a tight fit. The sword kit is of a more limited run quality, but still good. It will just take a bit more work to get together. Personally, I like the colourful schemes that adorn the early lightnings so I have a few sword kits to build. Hope this helps, Mark

The first image on this website of an HE 178 (Not an HE 162), demonstates the type of finish I think you wish to achieve. It would make an interesting model too...... http://www.neam.co.uk/JetHistory/deutschland.html

I bought this one for mine but haven't used it yet. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/RBT72094

If you have a look at the images on the link below of a HE-162 that is being restored in France, it has some nice shots of the wing before paint is applied. http://memorial.flight.free.fr/He162photod3uk.html Hope it helps you, Mark

I have the 1/24 IID and never realised this. Looks like I'll have to make a deeper Radiator.......

I know it's a preserved airframe, but I took this photo of the fuel tank bay at East Kikby in 2017 at their restoration tour. Lancaster Fuel Tank Bay by Mark Maclean, on Flickr It was painted interior green as you can see in the pic. Hope it helps, Mark

I'm planning to Use Colourcoats ACRN30 - Eau De Nil on my Spitfire. https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/collections/colourcoats-sea-british/products/acrn30-eau-de-nil-bs16

My kit does came with RAF Decals so yes you can build an RAF option. However from the box, your loadout is limited because you don't get the inner or the centreline pylons because Revell supply drop tanks only for these stations so your loadout options are limited from the box. However Flying Start Models do a set of pylons to help you with this. http://flyingstartmodels.com/Flying-Start-Models-Pylons-and-Launch-Rails.html I think the only thing you might need is some stores to hang off the pylons.

I will, it's is a 1/32 kit. I remember when I started the kit, I picked up a couple of FGA.9s in the sale for £12.50 each. Cheaper than you could pick up a 1/72 one for at the time. I'll dust it off at the weekend and see if I can progress it.

Hi @Warwolf, Unfortunately this kit hasn't been finished yet. i have one of those jobs to do that I don't want to do, rescribing. I really should get this one finished and your interest in the build might spur me on to get this one done. Cheers Keith, I haven't finished painting the figures so this info will come in handy. Mark