The Spitfire is a favorite of aviation buffs all over the world, and it’s always been a popular modeling subject. Airfix has found a gap in the roster of available Spitfire kits, producing a photo-recon version. The kit has a wheels-up option, a pilot figure, a separate rudder, and markings for postwar British and Swedish aircraft.
Upon initial review, I noticed the surfaces of parts were not smooth. I took care of the rough spots with a polishing stick, and filled a few sink marks with Tamiya primer.
The cockpit is built up from four parts. No instrument or seat belt detail or decals were provided. I painted the interior and the side walls Testors RAF interior green and used flat black for the instrument panel.
Gluing the fuselage, I noticed a hole in front of the cockpit that has no purpose. I filled it in. The seams were easy to clean up, especially with the plastic being somewhat soft. Choose any position for the rudder.
The wings have a front seam to clean up; after I had assembled them, I filled small gaps between the wings and fuselage. There was no positive location for the navigation lights, and I found the windows for the cameras were undersized. I filled those gaps with white glue.
Color references are expressed in Hum-brol colors. I painted the model overall with Testors RAF P.R.U. blue, the prop with Testors interior black (with flat yellow for the tips), and the spinner Testors flat red. I chose markings for 1 Division, Flottilij 11, Swedish air force, 1955.
Since I have not made an Airfix model in several decades, I wanted to see how well the decals would lay down. They did conform, but they silvered by the next day. So they will need a gloss coat first.
My main reference, The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II, by David Mondey (Chartwell, ISBN 978-0-7858-1362-0), indicated the model was, if not dead-on, very close to scaling out correctly. It was a fun 10-hour build, and the price can’t be beat. If you’re looking to add another “Spit” to your collection, this is an easy way to do it.
