Airfix or Tamiya Spitfire?
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this , but my father in law wants a “big” Spitfire for Christmas as a project. He’s an amazing aircraft artist and does already have quite a few models of the various marques but in 1:72 size.
The choice is between the Airfix 1:24 Mk 1 or 5 and the tamiya 1:32 mk 9. There’s quite a price difference and I’m reading very bad reviews about how well the Airfix model goes together - question is, is the tamiya worth the (pretty considerable!) premium or are there other options we should be looking at?
Budget is ideally under £60 but I’m willing to stretch to the 90 or so that the tamiya costs if it’s worth it...
Has anyone built either of these?
I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this , but my father in law wants a “big” Spitfire for Christmas as a project. He’s an amazing aircraft artist and does already have quite a few models of the various marques but in 1:72 size.
The choice is between the Airfix 1:24 Mk 1 or 5 and the tamiya 1:32 mk 9. There’s quite a price difference and I’m reading very bad reviews about how well the Airfix model goes together - question is, is the tamiya worth the (pretty considerable!) premium or are there other options we should be looking at?
Budget is ideally under £60 but I’m willing to stretch to the 90 or so that the tamiya costs if it’s worth it...
Has anyone built either of these?
If you can afford it, Tamiya all the way. It's a beautiful kit and has some clever little features like engine cowling panels held on with magnets. It all fits perfectly and is very accurate. Only negative is the decals on the one I put together were very thick and cracked.
The airfix kit was good in the 70's but very much shows it's age now. With a fair amount of effort it will produce a nice representation of a Spitfire but life's too short.
The airfix kit was good in the 70's but very much shows it's age now. With a fair amount of effort it will produce a nice representation of a Spitfire but life's too short.
Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 27th November 09:41
Another one for the Tamiya as much as I would prefer supporting the British company.
It's a quality model and well worth the money.
I spent a small fortune on the extra detail sets too which added quite a bit more work and thought to it.
But out of the box it's a nice model. I made this one about 5 years ago not long after it first came out.
It's a quality model and well worth the money.
I spent a small fortune on the extra detail sets too which added quite a bit more work and thought to it.
But out of the box it's a nice model. I made this one about 5 years ago not long after it first came out.
foreright said:
I could have phrased that better 
Thanks for the images and comments everyone - I'm going to order the Tamiya model today.
Composite Guru - that is a fantastic looking model!
Thanks, that thing was a labour of love. The detail I put in the cockpit can hardly be seen although I know its there. Thanks for the images and comments everyone - I'm going to order the Tamiya model today.
Composite Guru - that is a fantastic looking model!
Eric Mc said:
When it was first released, the Airfix 1/24 was billed as a "Superkit" and was top of many ten year old boys' Christmas wish list.
A print of this Spitfire has got me into trouble with my wife. My dad has it on his wall, and I mentioned to the good lady that "KL B" was my ex-girlfriend's initials...marcosgt said:
As a youngster I recall the Airfix Spitfire coming out. I was lucky enough to get one, probably Christmas, and later the Mustang. At the time they were incredible, not least for their size, but I guess that was a LONG time ago! M
Indeed, you and me too. We must be similar age because I remember I got the Messerschmidt and my best mate got the Spitfire. We used to build them together after school. I still think my Bf109 was better ;-) RichB said:
marcosgt said:
As a youngster I recall the Airfix Spitfire coming out. I was lucky enough to get one, probably Christmas, and later the Mustang. At the time they were incredible, not least for their size, but I guess that was a LONG time ago! M
Indeed, you and me too. We must be similar age because I remember I got the Messerschmidt and my best mate got the Spitfire. We used to build them together after school. I still think my Bf109 was better ;-) M
). I didn't want to b
ks it up so I asked Dad to make it, and still have it, completely intact in the loft. I think I'll get a stand made and have it here in the office.The Stuka is IMO by far the best of the original 1/24 series, and can be made up into a really nice model. Surface detail is good (recessed panel lines and raised rivets) and the moulds have held up well. Obviously it will never be in the same league as the recent Tamiya 1/32nd stuff but it is genuinely a good kit.
Harrier is very very good shape wise but surface detail is a bit over done and some areas are a bit basic and gimmicky (wing is designed to be removed to expose the engine).
FW190 is a tough build, the engine bearers don't sit right so it's very hard to get the cowlings sitting right.
Harrier is very very good shape wise but surface detail is a bit over done and some areas are a bit basic and gimmicky (wing is designed to be removed to expose the engine).
FW190 is a tough build, the engine bearers don't sit right so it's very hard to get the cowlings sitting right.
lufbramatt said:
The Stuka is IMO by far the best of the original 1/24 series, and can be made up into a really nice model. Surface detail is good (recessed panel lines and raised rivets) and the moulds have held up well. Obviously it will never be in the same league as the recent Tamiya 1/32nd stuff but it is genuinely a good kit.
Harrier is very very good shape wise but surface detail is a bit over done and some areas are a bit basic and gimmicky (wing is designed to be removed to expose the engine).
FW190 is a tough build, the engine bearers don't sit right so it's very hard to get the cowlings sitting right.
Presumably the moulds haven't been worked as hard as 1/72 examples of the same vintage?Harrier is very very good shape wise but surface detail is a bit over done and some areas are a bit basic and gimmicky (wing is designed to be removed to expose the engine).
FW190 is a tough build, the engine bearers don't sit right so it's very hard to get the cowlings sitting right.
lufbramatt said:
The Stuka is IMO by far the best of the original 1/24 series, and can be made up into a really nice model. Surface detail is good (recessed panel lines and raised rivets) and the moulds have held up well. Obviously it will never be in the same league as the recent Tamiya 1/32nd stuff but it is genuinely a good kit.
Harrier is very very good shape wise but surface detail is a bit over done and some areas are a bit basic and gimmicky (wing is designed to be removed to expose the engine).
FW190 is a tough build, the engine bearers don't sit right so it's very hard to get the cowlings sitting right.
In about 1980 PAM News declared that 1/24 Stuka to be 'the best kit ever' (at that time). Odd isn't it, the things you remember.Harrier is very very good shape wise but surface detail is a bit over done and some areas are a bit basic and gimmicky (wing is designed to be removed to expose the engine).
FW190 is a tough build, the engine bearers don't sit right so it's very hard to get the cowlings sitting right.
These days I'm actually more interested in the culture around the kits than making the things.
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