Airfix Spitfire Mk.IX - 1/24.

[Britman]

Got my mitts on the new Airfix 24th scale Spitfire last night at our club. They were second run products both assembled and on the sprue. It really captured the feel of a Spitfire and the details are excellent even down to a nice bit of skin rippling on the extreme outer lower wing skin. Very grateful for our new member for bringing it along from Hornby central not three miles away. Now I don't build anything too big these days but....

Incidentally when I mentioned it to my wife whom I might add put me in the back of a Spitfire for my retirement present, she just said that I should get one ! Happy days. The Anson and Buccaneer will be available in the not too distant future for our perusal.

 

Keith

[Gatesy64]

Damn, knew I'd regret not going to last night's meet Keith! work getting in the way!

[Britman]

Retirement has its advantages Gatesy!

 

Keith

[Grizly]

Britman,

Did anyone take pictures? I know there have already been some posted on line but a new look at the model would be appreciated.

[Britman]

Unfortunately no photography was allowed. We thought that a good trade for having  privileged access. It is I think going to be a huge success as one would hope. 

 

Keith

[Scimitar F1]

I was there too and it really was very impressive, The detail is really good but but not overdone with 300 sprues and 2,000 parts. It is very accurate - positionable trim tabs are a nice touch. The surface detail looks very good for a 1/24th airframe even with the moulds not being fully finished. For less than £100 this is a bargain. From the look of it there will be other versions.

 

Will

[SAT69]

On 2/10/2022 at 7:53 AM, Scimitar F1 said:

I was there too and it really was very impressive, The detail is really good but but not overdone with 300 sprues and 2,000 parts. It is very accurate - positionable trim tabs are a nice touch. The surface detail looks very good for a 1/24th airframe even with the moulds not being fully finished. For less than £100 this is a bargain. From the look of it there will be other versions.

 

Will

How many sprues and parts are there in the kit?

[Johnson]

On 2/10/2022 at 1:53 PM, Scimitar F1 said:

300 sprues and 2,000 parts

I wasn't sure if this was a bit 'tongue in cheek' Will @Scimitar F1? 30 sprues would be quite a lot...

[Scimitar F1]

I was being facetious - There are around 10ish sprues and the box will be smaller and deeper thank previous kits I understand.

[Johnson]

On 2/10/2022 at 1:53 PM, Scimitar F1 said:

positionable trim tabs are a nice touch.

But this is correct? Nice if so.

[Scimitar F1]

3 minutes ago, Johnson said:

But this is correct? Nice if so.

Yes - First time I have seen this on a kit.

[fightersweep]

For those that want an E-wing conversion for the Airfix Spit when it arrives, now available;

 

https://www.buchonscalemodels.com/products/1-24-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ixe-resin-conversion-kit3?fbclid=IwAR3yWevUR1C8crbyKrjRa122eZuJsZhJ1zRPh8I8dm8wPpJdpYO-ZoDPX20

 

Looks very nice indeed!

 

Edit: Admittedly, this set was engineered to fit the old Airfix Mk I kit as Buchon didn't know about the new Mk IXc kit. However, I can't see how this set wouldn't be able to made to fit the new plastic. I've got the Mk XVIe conversion set on order, so I guess I'll find out later this year.

 

Steve

[bobsyouruncle]

Quote

Very good point and I hope the Spit is as good as it should be. I queried with Airfix if the upper cowl line is right. You know how the  cowl ‘bulges’ upwards forward of the top fuel tank? No reply. I hope they’ve got that right otherwise it will wind me up!!

I don't know how to link a comment from another thread, but hope this is good enough?

Hi Simon Cornes, I'd read your quote previously and just had a look at the Airfix interview linked here. I don't know what you think and it's slightly fuzzy in close-up on my monitor, but looking at the (almost) side views of the clipped wing built-up Spit later on in the video, (1:11:10 and 1:11:30) it looks quite encouraging to me so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBe3I8Y8ypQ

 

Cheers Bob.

[fightersweep]

51 minutes ago, bobsyouruncle said:

I don't know how to link a comment from another thread, but hope this is good enough?

Hi Simon Cornes, I'd read your quote previously and just had a look at the Airfix interview linked here. I don't know what you think and it's slightly fuzzy in close-up on my monitor, but looking at the (almost) side views of the clipped wing built-up Spit later on in the video, (1:11:10 and 1:11:30) it looks quite encouraging to me so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBe3I8Y8ypQ

 

Cheers Bob.

 

Isn't that cowling bulge forward of the upper fuel tank associated with the Packard Merlin Mk XVIs? I'll have to have a look through my Monforton book re: the Mk IXs.

[Graham Boak]

The bulge was introduced on the Castle Bromwich production line at about the same time as the Mk.16, but was not related.  It came from a new production tool simplifying the manufacture of the top piece.  This was criticised by Supermarine test pilots as being destabilising but it seems that this was not considered serious enough to matter in service.  You can see it on Mk.IXs built at the same time.  There is no part of the Packard Merlin that would call for such a bulge.  Thanks to (as often) Edgar Brooks for the research, and Spitfire The History for the comments from the test pilots.

 

I don't recall Monforton as including this feature.

[bobsyouruncle]

Quote

I don't recall Monforton as including this feature.

Graham, yes, Monforton mentions the various cowling shapes on page 1.02 and says the earlier MkIXs had flatter cowlings and less fasteners than later ones.

I'm thinking that Airfix couldn't please everyone with their individual choice of Spitfires regarding this, but a top cowling sounds like something that would perhaps be

fairly easy to swap if aftermarket companies decide to make any for different tastes?

 

[fightersweep]

2 minutes ago, bobsyouruncle said:

Graham, yes, Monforton mentions the various cowling shapes on page 1.02 and says the earlier MkIXs had flatter cowlings and less fasteners than later ones.

I'm thinking that Airfix couldn't please everyone with their individual choice of Spitfires regarding this, but a top cowling sounds like something that would perhaps be

fairly easy to swap if aftermarket companies decide to make any for different tastes?

 

 

Once again, I know that Buchon Scale Models have done a bulged cowl for the Mk IX/XVI. Hopefully, that would fit the new kit. Interesting to learn about the development of the later cowling. Am I right in thinking then that the bulged cowling was introduced to accommodate the larger blower of the late Merlin 66s, this having previously been accommodated with two small blisters either side of the flatter cowling. It's surprising how many books I have that attribute this to the Packard built Merlins. I guess if the new kit has the blisters to the rear of the cowling, then the flatter profile would be correct...or am I just getting confused now!

 

Steve

[Graham Boak]

No, it had nothing to do with the engine inside but a change in production methods at the main factory.  There is also, IIRC, a panel line difference.  Not a separate panel for disassembly, but part of the manufacturing process.

 

As far as I know all Merlin 66s had the same size supercharger as the other 60series - and also all later two-stage Merlins?  The difference of the 66/Packard Merlins from the earlier ones was that the supercharger vanes were slightly cropped to reduce the power offtake, at the price of somewhat less boost at high altitudes.  So if anything they might be slightly smaller, but I don't think so.  The supercharger is set down at the rear of the engine, so although I don't know what those two small blisters were, they weren't due to the supercharger.  

[bobsyouruncle]

The topline cowling shape seems to have been altered to accommodate the large square intercooler which sat behind the cylinder head covers. As I read it, this was initially by having a couple of 'blisters' added

either side (as per the 109-G) but later by having a one piece 'bulged' cowling.

Here's a link:

http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/spitfire-mk-ix-xi-and-xvi-variants-much-varied.html

 

Bob

 

As I've read, EN398 (One of Johnnie Johnson's JE-J's) would have the earlier (flattened) shape?

I'm impressed that it doesn't seem to have the tear-drop bulge over the undercarriage bay on top of the wing

which I understand to be a post war mod.

[alt-92]

1 hour ago, Graham Boak said:

No, it had nothing to do with the engine inside but a change in production methods at the main factory. 

From Edgar, in an older hyperscale thread (in which you've popped up as well I see )

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/spitfire-mk-xvi-packard-merlin-266-question-t174968-s10.html

 

Quote

When the 266 was fitted, it was decided to fit an access cover into the cowling so as to replenish the header tank without removing said cover; unfortunately it was found that the mechanism then fouled the pipework, on the IX, leading from the R-R Merlin to the firewall-mounted header tank. Due to the desire for common parts (the IX & XVI were built virtually side-by-side) the easiest solution was to simply bulge the cowling up slightly, to clear the pipe

 

[Graham Boak]

Yes, but my understanding that this was later denied.

[Adam Poultney]

Will be produced in the UK, confirmed on Airfix live Q and A

[Thomas V.]

Great news, meaning at least higher quality plastic.

[Rabbit Leader]

On 5/20/2022 at 5:18 AM, Adam Poultney said:

Will be produced in the UK, confirmed on Airfix live Q and A

 

Yes it will be, which is good news for those wishing too see this kit manufactured in the best quality plastic currently available to Airfix.

 

I actually found the latest Airfix Sprue Talk video (starts at about 3:40?) quite insightful and it was nice to see the four gentleman answer numerous questions as openly and honestly as possible. Without wishing to stray away from this Spitfire thread too much, I found it interesting that they acknowledged that their panel lines are still not where they would like them to be, mainly due to the current capabilities of their toolmakers. This is still a work in progress. 

 

They also explained that they are not limited to making kits where 1/1 museum examples exist to scan, especially if they have a good set of plans available (e.g. Whitley). The question was asked about 3D files and if Airfix would one day go down that path. They certainly mentioned that this has been talked about and if/when they do venture there we will likely see optional underwing / weapons parts as 3D optional parts to print. 

 

Apologies for staying away from this 1/24 kit thread, although a test version of the kit was on display in the video and I couldn’t find another BM thread which mentioned any of these other topics. 

 

Cheers.. Dave. 

[Homebee]

Test sprues pics

Source: https://uk.airfix.com/community/blog-and-news/workbench/new-spitfire-test-frame-exclusive

 

 

V.P.

Edited May 27, 2022 by Homebee