Airfix 1/72nd Spitfire I/IIA

[Obi-Jiff Kenobi]

You could always nick it from a Hobbyboss Vb. It'll fit and the one from the Airfix kit goes onto the Hobbyboss kit to do a Ia with minimal fuss - I've one on the bench now.

How does the Hobbyboss kit measure up? I've yet to read any objective reviews of it.

[DominikS]

[...]Of note, Aviation Workshop provide decals for a IIa, II (LR) and Va (one each of the 8 total subjects) on sheet 72114.[...]

Regards,

Tim

Which is incorrect, as code letters are Sky instead of MSG. Got two of them and in both there are mistakes (exept IILR there are others, e.g. Kent's "code letters" are also Sky).

@ Stewart

Code letters and serial numbers would be enough, IMHO.

Dominik

[The wooksta V2.0]

How does the Hobbyboss kit measure up? I've yet to read any objective reviews of it.

Don't know, I've not measured it against any plans - that way lies insanity - but overall it looks okay. Certainly better than the Italeri horror or the Smegma ones, and easier to clean up than the old Airfix Vb - it's starting to show some mould wear. It's cheap and it goes together well. You'll need to replace the prop, u/c and canopy but apart from that I think it's a reasonable basis for most of the early marks. I've quite a few on the go.

And joy of joys, the new mk I/IIa has the oil cooler for a Va in it! Just had a phone call telling me so.

Edited May 3, 2011 by The wooksta V2.0

[Greenshirt]

How does the Hobbyboss kit measure up? I've yet to read any objective reviews of it.

At arm's length it looks like a Spitfire. There are some detail issues, as Wooksta notes the prop is all wrong, undercarriage is not quite right, no u/c doors (?!), cockpit is just a hole, no trim tab actuators on elevators, canopy not right. But it IS much better than the Italeri kit. Will I buy another? Probably not as I believe the Airfix Vb looks better OOB and is a better value. By the time I fixed the big issues with the Hobbyboss Vb I'd spent enough to buy a Tamiya Vb (Quickboost prop and parts from a Revell Vb).

Tim

[Test Graham]

I really don't understand the extreme terms of criticism applied the Italeri Spitfire Mk.V. It isn't perfect, sure. It needs a new prop, but is hardly alone in that. It lacks the panel line for the wing/fuselage fairing (oh dear). The radiator has to be taken off and the sides squeezed together before being reglued. It helps to space out the engine cowling with a piece of microstrip, perhaps. Really advanced modelling? However, its overall size, shape and lines are those of a Spitfire. It fits together at least as well as the old Airfix, has far superior internal and external detail, and doesn't need a rescribed aileron or reworked leading edge. Nor does it have that very odd kink up at the root. Or heavy panel lines.

Not an ideal Spitfire kit, but neither is it so bad as to deserve the unmitigated slating it gets. The Hobbyboss just doesn't look right..... I can't be more precise because one look at it and I didn't buy it. In the past, I have bought the Lindberg and Frog and Lotnia and PM and Matchbox - now if you want some bad Merlin Spitfire kits there's five for a start. (Not counting the OLD Airfix Mk.I or Mk.IX....) There was a Japanese one at 1/70th but I never saw that in a shop. Throw in the Heller Mk.V - Italeri is better than that too. You want to work on reworking a High Planes....go ahead, but Italeri is less work.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Graham Boak

[Work In Progress]

Just picked up my new Airfix Mk.I/IIA from the local toyshop in Northallerton, and, yes, it makes a Va as well (though decals are for early I and IIa only) so presumably we will see a Va boxing soon.

The differences from the earlier Spit I kit are as follows:

In addition to the complete Spit I kit a new Sprue D is included, carrying parts 35 to 44: these are as follows -

35 & 36 - fishtail exhausts

37 - Coffman starter bulge

38 - backplate for the Watts prop

39 - the Rotol prop

40 - the Watts prop with integral spinner nose

41 - rear section of the Va oil cooler

42 - front section of the Va oil cooler

43 - Rod type antenna for the early I

44 - Rotol spinner.

Sprue C, the clear sprue, now contains the following parts -

45 - the standard I/II canopy as seen on the earlier kit, the one with the bulged top line (but not the later one with the bulged sides as well)

46 - the cover for the belly lamp

47 - the new early I flat-sided canopy, which looks fine.

All of the parts look very much as if they belong together: there are none of the obvious mismatches of style and quality that we got with the earlier generation of modified Airfix Spit kits.

Decal sheet looks excellent on mine, and perfectly in register, which I think is a first for me with any Airfix kit I've ever bought.

Hope this helps...

[Chuck1945]

I've still got to make a decision on this. I'm minded to provide a simple decal sheet with the serials and identification codes only for a couple of aircraft, leaving the modeller to use the roundels and fin flashes from the donor kit. Alternatively, I could provide a complete decal sheet for say, 4 aircraft, but that would put the price up. The alternative is no decals, which would make for the cheapest package.

Which would you prefer?

Stewart

While I have generic markings to make up serials and codes, the serial especially can be a PITA that way. My vote would be for serials and codes for a couple of choices.

[Greenshirt]

I really don't understand the extreme terms of criticism applied the Italeri Spitfire Mk.V. It isn't perfect, sure. It needs a new prop, but is hardly alone in that. It lacks the panel line for the wing/fuselage fairing (oh dear). The radiator has to be taken off and the sides squeezed together before being reglued. It helps to space out the engine cowling with a piece of microstrip, perhaps. Really advanced modelling? However, its overall size, shape and lines are those of a Spitfire. It fits together at least as well as the old Airfix, has far superior internal and external detail, and doesn't need a rescribed aileron or reworked leading edge. Nor does it have that very odd kink up at the root. Or heavy panel lines.

Not an ideal Spitfire kit, but neither is it so bad as to deserve the unmitigated slating it gets. The Hobbyboss just doesn't look right..... I can't be more precise because one look at it and I didn't buy it. In the past, I have bought the Lindberg and Frog and Lotnia and PM and Matchbox - now if you want some bad Merlin Spitfire kits there's five for a start. (Not counting the OLD Airfix Mk.I or Mk.IX....) There was a Japanese one at 1/70th but I never saw that in a shop. Throw in the Heller Mk.V - Italeri is better than that too. You want to work on reworking a High Planes....go ahead, but Italeri is less work.

I'll concede that I would have to put in the same amount of work for either the Italeri or Hobbyboss to bring either up to standards. And yes, the cockpit of the Italeri is better. I've got another Italeri Vb in my stash (purchased years ago) so I'll give it another go, unlike Hobbyboss. I'll still need to scrounge a new prop, though, which means the cost of the kit just when up. I'm not a cheap SOB, but I'd rather invest in AM decals for a particular subject, not parts to get the basic kit right.

Tim

[Test Graham]

I've yet to try the Sword Mk.Vc, which is reputedly very good, or the AZ Seafires which should work back to a Mk.V fairly easily. Those very recent kits aside, there isn't a Mk.V on the market that doesn't need work.

Aftermarket is expensive - one route would be to combine (say) the Italeri with the Airfix. The Airfix would provide the prop (if you wanted the right one), radiator and perhaps even the nose. I'd sooner cut, chop fill and file than buy AM too, although I generally draw the line at a prop.

[dfqweofekwpeweiop4]

The Sword Mk Vc looks nice when built but isn't as easy to stick together as the new tool Airfix kit. I can't comment on the absolute accuracy of the Sword kit but it looks like a Spitfire when built.

thanks

Mike

[Work In Progress]

Veering unfashionably back on topic, here are some pics of the new sprue on the Airfix I/IIa:

Edited May 3, 2011 by Work In Progress

[The wooksta V2.0]

Ooh! Looks well nice. Must.... Have!

[rs2man]

Looks great . All being well , I should be picking one up at the model club tonight - one advantage of holding club meetings upstairs at the model shop .

[keefr22]

Looks great . All being well , I should be picking one up at the model club tonight - one advantage of holding club meetings upstairs at the model shop .

Ahh, the good old days - we used to do that when we had a proper model shop in town & the owner was a member of the club!!

One of the disadvantages was how much more it cost you instead of meeting in a church hall like we do now....!!!

Keef

PS - is that your RS in your avatar? Looks very nice, wish I still had one of mine!

PPS sorry w.i.p for veering fashionably back off topic...

[Dave Fleming]

Veering unfashionably back on topic, here are some pics of the new sprue on the Airfix I/IIa:

Mmm, interesting - so how does the Rotol prop compare with the 3D one?

[rs2man]

Ahh, the good old days - we used to do that when we had a proper model shop in town & the owner was a member of the club!!

One of the disadvantages was how much more it cost you instead of meeting in a church hall like we do now....!!!

Keef

PS - is that your RS in your avatar? Looks very nice, wish I still had one of mine!

PPS sorry w.i.p for veering fashionably back off topic...

Yes , it's my RS2 - the pic was taken outside the workshop just after I finished rebulding it some 5 years back . One thing Ford have never grasped is rustproofing !!!!

[dfqweofekwpeweiop4]

So just to confirm for all. Is this kit the new tool Mk I with them extra sprues in?

thanks

Mike

[The wooksta V2.0]

Yes. A mate has got one but the Newcastle MZ hasn't got them in yet - Wor Lass popped in to get one for me but no joy. Booo!

[dfqweofekwpeweiop4]

Manchester MZ didn't have them in on Saturday either. I might have to have one or two for myself. If anyone wants them, we (MJW Models ) can get them in for less than RRP.

thanks

Mike

[Greenshirt]

Once it's available here in US, I'll get a few. To recap what I think I've understood, from this kit one can build:

- Early Mk I

- Later Mk I

- Mk IIa

- Mk II LR (with future 3DKits mod)

- Mk Va with fabric ailerons (or metal with some filling/sanding)

Well, at least 5 for me. And at US$7.99 it'll be a bargain.

Regards,

Tim

[Greenshirt]

I've yet to try the Sword Mk.Vc, which is reputedly very good, or the AZ Seafires which should work back to a Mk.V fairly easily. Those very recent kits aside, there isn't a Mk.V on the market that doesn't need work.

Aftermarket is expensive - one route would be to combine (say) the Italeri with the Airfix. The Airfix would provide the prop (if you wanted the right one), radiator and perhaps even the nose. I'd sooner cut, chop fill and file than buy AM too, although I generally draw the line at a prop.

Sorry if off-topic (well it's about a Spit init?).

I agree with cut/chop/fill/file versus AM. Unfortunately the AZ kits are on the higher side of $24US here. Occasionally I find one for a few less, but for one Sword/AZ I can do 3-4 Airfix. I'll get one eventually, but not until the value is right (shipping makes it worse). I've accumulated 6 Aeroclub Vc wing conversions for the Airfix Vb/c kit, so that'll be my Vc collection for the near term. My Seafires are mainly CMR with a couple of modifications from Airfix or Revell thrown in. I've done the HiPlanes Seafire III, which looks good but was some work (just modelling skills IMHO). Their Vc is the same kit but with a Spitfire V fuselage; for the price I'd rather have bought the Sword even though it's an unknown kit to me but the reviews are good.

Regards,

Tim

[Work In Progress]

Mmm, interesting - so how does the Rotol prop compare with the 3D one?

Sadly, while I own both, they are in different places.

However, looking at the Airfix prop against the sprue shot of the 3D one here:

http://www.hyperscale.com/2010/reviews/acc...1reviewgp_1.htm

... I reckon there's nothing much in it for the prop itself.

Of course with the 3D one you do get the nice seat and control column too. You also get an extra Coffman bulge to placate the carpet monster.

So just to confirm for all. Is this kit the new tool Mk I with them extra sprues in?

If I have somehow failed to convey that impression in my post above, yes ...

To recap what I think I've understood, from this kit one can build:

- Early Mk I

- Later Mk I

- Mk IIa

- Mk II LR (with future 3DKits mod)

- Mk Va with fabric ailerons (or metal with some filling/sanding)

Yep.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Work In Progress

[Work In Progress]

Yes , it's my RS2 - the pic was taken outside the workshop just after I finished rebulding it some 5 years back . One thing Ford have never grasped is rustproofing !!!!

And a particularly nice one it is too.

(since we don't mind veering off topic... )

But don't feel bad about the Ford rust-proofing thing. Porsche certainly did grasp rustproofing, but after more than 20 years of rain and road salt it is an academic distinction, which is why I am waving bye-bye to mine for three months in the body shop next weekend.

Wish I had your DIY ability.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Work In Progress

[Work In Progress]

Here is the new decal sheet, which I am duly impressed by.

Interesting to compare with that of the old Hasegawa kit, which featured the same 19 Squadron aeroplane for the two-blade prop option. Times have moved on...

Edited May 3, 2011 by Work In Progress

[Chuck1945]

Sorry if off-topic (well it's about a Spit init?).

I agree with cut/chop/fill/file versus AM. Unfortunately the AZ kits are on the higher side of $24US here. Occasionally I find one for a few less, but for one Sword/AZ I can do 3-4 Airfix. I'll get one eventually, but not until the value is right (shipping makes it worse). I've accumulated 6 Aeroclub Vc wing conversions for the Airfix Vb/c kit, so that'll be my Vc collection for the near term. My Seafires are mainly CMR with a couple of modifications from Airfix or Revell thrown in. I've done the HiPlanes Seafire III, which looks good but was some work (just modelling skills IMHO). Their Vc is the same kit but with a Spitfire V fuselage; for the price I'd rather have bought the Sword even though it's an unknown kit to me but the reviews are good.

Regards,

Tim

I bought a couple of the AZ Spits from Hannants before the Airfix new tool came out. I think by the time they were shipped over here, they still cost about what buying one here in the US would have cost. After building one of AZ Mk II kits (while supposedly quite accurate), I will happily deal with (or ignore) any nits the Airfix kit may have for future Spitfire I/II projects. I did get the Sword Vc, mainly because I didn't want to convert a 'b' wing to a 'c'.