Kit: No. 05113
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Airfix, Humbrol Limited, +44-1428-701191, http://airfix.com
Price: n/a
Comments: Injection-molded, 100 parts, decals
Pros: Proper dimensions, most shapes are right, good clear parts, good decals, good instructions, accurate painting information
Cons: Poor fit of wings to fuselage, poorly shaped prop blades, thick wing, detail inaccuracies

The superiority of the Fw 190 over the Spitfire Mk.V was giving the Supermarine design team fits. The answer came with the Mk.IX with its two stage, two-speed, supercharged Merlin engine. Later, the license-built Packard Merlin engine was fitted to the same airframe to become the Mk.XVI.

The Spitfire is seen by many as the ultimate British warplane, so it’s surprising that the perfect kit of the ultimate Merlin-engined version hasn’t been created in 1/48 scale. Many had hoped the new Airfix kit would be the answer. Sorry.

The “new” kit combines parts from the previous 1/48 scale Seafire Mk.III/Spitfire Mk.Vc kit with new parts to make the Mk.IX. The moldings have average detail, with recessed panel lines, and good clear parts. The 14-step instructions are easy to follow and the painting instructions are accurate.

Building the kit presented some problems. The fit, especially around the wing roots and lower fuselage, is poor and needed filling and sanding. The wingtips are rounded and don’t fit well, either. The provided clipped-wing tips are shaped incorrectly, but I used them. The wing’s trailing edge is too thick, and trying to install the flaps in the raised position only increases the thickness. Flaps were retracted on parked Spitfires, and since I decided to lower the flaps, I wanted to be accurate and installed the pilot figure for a taxiing pose. Overall the wing is too thick by 1.2mm.

Other inaccuracies include blisters over the wheel wells, which should not be present on wartime aircraft, and the main-gear doors are rounded and are best replaced. The propeller blades are the wrong shape and have no twist in the pitch. Also, the “blown” upper cowl should pinch in towards the exhaust stacks.

I painted the model as “Panama Bound,” a Mk.XVIe flown by Richard “Hap” Beale of 421 Squadron, RCAF. The decals are excellent, and went on without problems.

I spent 19 hours on the “new” Airfix Spitfire, a little more than usual due to the wing-fuselage fit problems. It’s an average kit in an era when kits with better fit and accuracy reign. The search continues.

– Bob Swaddling
Photo by Pat Hawkey