jaw Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Good evening, I would appreciate views on the accuracy - or otherwise - of the 1/72 AZ Spitfire IXc. Thanks, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Generally considered very good. There have been complaints about it being short (mainly it seems from Czech sources willing to lambast anything and everything from the AZ stable) but this seems to be 1mm overall and caused by sizing a kit with the broad-chord rudder to the correct length for an early rudder. One maker complained about the kit coming with clipped tips and it being an excessive problem to fit the standard tips. I must admit not having one, but only because I have so many other Spitfires in the stash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 The kit looks really nice but to me it has 1 main flaw which means I will not buy any. With butchery, you can only make a clipped wing Spitfire but the markings I've seen are all standard wing Spitfires. What AZ have done is mould the wings with the clipped wing tips, you have to cut these off and butt joint the normal wingtips on to make your model. These days, you shouldn't have to butcher a kit to make it oob, especially as this isn't a short run kit. thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenshirt Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I'm nearly complete with a IXe variant, that requires clipped wings for the subject. A very enjoyable build with only the decals remaining. Admittedly I'm not looking forward to making a standard wing variant using this kit, as it appears the standard tips may be thinner than the wing where it would join, meaning filler and loss of detail. I base that observation on my Mk 1 eyeball. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
occa Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 The kit looks really nice but to me it has 1 main flaw which means I will not buy any. With butchery, you can only make a clipped wing Spitfire but the markings I've seen are all standard wing Spitfires. What AZ have done is mould the wings with the clipped wing tips, you have to cut these off and butt joint the normal wingtips on to make your model. These days, you shouldn't have to butcher a kit to make it oob, especially as this isn't a short run kit. thanks Mike Are you aware how many kits are much more inaccurate than 1mm in 1/72 scale? One mm in 1/72 is 7,2 cm in real, hardly noticeable even less if it's equally distributed over the whole fuselage. The error is about 0.75 percent, yes that is less than 1 % Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Are you aware how many kits are much more inaccurate than 1mm in 1/72 scale? One mm in 1/72 is 7,2 cm in real, hardly noticeable even less if it's equally distributed over the whole fuselage. The error is about 0.75 percent, yes that is less than 1 % Not sure what you're on about, I was talking about the fact you have to butcher the kit to make it oob. I said nothing about the kit's accuracy. thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I'm nearly complete with a IXe variant, that requires clipped wings for the subject. A very enjoyable build with only the decals remaining. Admittedly I'm not looking forward to making a standard wing variant using this kit, as it appears the standard tips may be thinner than the wing where it would join, meaning filler and loss of detail. I base that observation on my Mk 1 eyeball. Tim I already have the Sword LF Mk IXe, which is good enough for me for a clipped wing Spitfire! I know from experience the Sword Spitfires build up quite well and don't require major surgery. thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Come on Mike, trimming the tips is hardly "butchery" or "major surgery". I think Occa was talking about my comment, but actually I agree with him completely: I was just describing the few critical comments I have seen about the kit. It's a matter of retaining a sense of proportion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 It is major surgery for me! My skills when it comes to hacking bits off and making them look good afterwards are sadly lacking. thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I recently built the AZ VIII and was surprised at how easy the wingtip butt join proved. I used milliput to blend them with the wings (which I would have thinned down a little, had I more foresight) and then did a quick rescribe. I'm by no means a master modeller, but it turned out fairly well. EDIT: You can see my AZ VIII (Neville Duke's ZX-J) here, and I don't think the tips look too awful. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
occa Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) Not sure what you're on about, I was talking about the fact you have to butcher the kit to make it oob. I said nothing about the kit's accuracy. thanks Mike Oops sorry my mistake, I read '1 mm' instead of '1 main' .... I thought I am having a deja vu from Czech forums lol. And Graham no worries, your assessment was fair, you know what I was talking about anyways. Cheers Edited March 7, 2014 by occa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I recently built the AZ VIII and was surprised at how easy the wingtip butt join proved. I used milliput to blend them with the wings (which I would have thinned down a little, had I more foresight) and then did a quick rescribe. I'm by no means a master modeller, but it turned out fairly well. This was my experience as well. As long as you make a nice straight cut, in my case with a razor saw, it's not a big deal. The AZ Mk.IX is one of their HQT mouldings, of which there has also been some grenade throwing over whether a nickel plated tool can be considered "metal." Quite silly, really. All I know is that the end product has very smooth plastic and nice delicate surface detailing. It goes together quite well in my opinion. The fact that you can get three kits (sans decals) in the "Joypack" for a fantastic price makes it a winner in my book any day! The AZ Mk.XVI low-back kits are also HQT and just as nice. The Mk.VIII that Procopius built is not HQT, at least that's how I remember it, but also builds into a nice little model. Did I remember that right? Cheers, Bill PS.Nice group of Spits there, Procopius! You do know that the Brits flew other types of aircraft, right? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalkeEins Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) Good evening, I would appreciate views on the accuracy - or otherwise - of the 1/72 AZ Spitfire IXc. Thanks, John FWIW I've built one of these here http://falkeeinsmodel.blogspot.fr/2013/12/tom-neils-silver-spitfire-az-spitfire.html like Mike I wasn't too impressed with the clipped wingtip choice and the parts are not numbered on the sprues, which given that there are so many optional parts can make things a little tricky - but these are pretty minor-league issues. Agree with Bill the Joypacks are a great idea.... Edited March 7, 2014 by FalkeEins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 The AZ Mk.XVI low-back kits are also HQT and just as nice. The Mk.VIII that Procopius built is not HQT, at least that's how I remember it, but also builds into a nice little model. Did I remember that right? Quite so. Fit was still pretty good, though I didn't get the main gear in far enough, and I think the stance is a little off as a result. You do know that the Brits flew other types of aircraft, right? WHAT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 ...though I didn't get the main gear in far enough... I hate it when I can't get my gear in far enough. Cheers, Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Neu- Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) Not sure what you're on about, I was talking about the fact you have to butcher the kit to make it oob. I said nothing about the kit's accuracy. thanks Mike I feel for you, but I bet they count on most Czech model makers have their trusty JLC razor saw at the ready to make that modification quickly and easily. Edited March 7, 2014 by -Neu- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 That's exactly what I used, in fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenshirt Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I already have the Sword LF Mk IXe, which is good enough for me for a clipped wing Spitfire! I know from experience the Sword Spitfires build up quite well and don't require major surgery. I have that one also; I'd purchased the AZ joy pack to use up the decals I have. And yes, I'm in the midst of their Vc and it's also a nice build. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Not saying how many Joypacks I've got but it's quite a few... I'm not over keen on clipped wings as standard in kits, simply because of the fiddly nature of fitting the full span tips - the Fujimi ones especially due to their overthick trailing edges which require serious sanding. I hate it when I can't get my gear in far enough. Cheers, Bill Lube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) PS.Nice group of Spits there, Procopius! You do know that the Brits flew other types of aircraft, right? WHAT? But of course! They had Seafires for carrier work. I particularly like the display base, but the decal on it stands out a bit- perhaps a dusting of matte clear is needed? bob Edited March 7, 2014 by gingerbob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 True the wing tip issue can be a chore to some and like others, I didn't really have any bother with 'extending ' the wings to standard on one I built from the Joy Pack set. There is, of course, the Airfix one with standard wings. Its just as good a kit if not lacking in the cockpit area. How many others though, would complain if it were done the other way round? Clip wing fans scuttling a kit because it didn't have this feature?/!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 There is, of course, the Airfix one with standard wings. Its just as good a kit if not lacking in the cockpit area. And the wheel wells, and the radiators, and plenty other smaller details... really, the AZ kit blows away completely the Airfix kit even with the work needed to cut and replace the wingtips. It's also more expensive, but IMHO it's overall better value for money 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Given that the original question was about accuracy, the fact that the Airfix kit needs "butchery" on the wing chord is perhaps more significant. Even when considering the work involved, I suspect more modellers would avoid this than fear adding wingtips. Giorgio posted while I was typing. It is fair to add that the Airfix fuselage is very accurate in shape. I agree however that in other ways the kit is fairly basic and not up to the standard of later Airfix toolings, even without considering Sword or AZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) I actually bought an AZ Spitfire VII as the Italeri one isn't great and the Hasegawa one is almost impossible to find. I started it, so I guess I'll have to finish it, so I guess I'll find out how easy it is fixing the wing tips but I have a question for those who've built the AZ Mk VII or VIII, is it best to glue the lower wings to the fuselage before attaching the upper wings or best to assemble the wings fully before fixing to the fuselage? thanks Mike Edited March 7, 2014 by Mikemx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I assume you mean "attach the upper wings to the fuselage" vice lower wings, but for my part, I assembled the wings first (wish I'd thinned them a little before gluing them, they seem a trifle too thick as is, and I think it would help when the time came to add the wingtips) and then glued them on. There was a small gap, but not a particularly bad one, and I filled it with Mr. Dissolved Putty, which is generally my go-to for wing-roots. * * Warning: not a master modeller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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