Airfix 1/24 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc - project fear

[robemcdonald]

Why project fear? Well it’s a new airfix kit, so what’s not to be scared of.

Here’s the cockpit sprue. Looks really nice doesn’t it?



I think I have a lot of drilling out of lightening holes in my future..

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

Why project fear? Well it’s a new airfix kit, so what’s not to be scared of.

Here’s the cockpit sprue. Looks really nice doesn’t it?



I think I have a lot of drilling out of lightening holes in my future..

Jeez, full bottle of brave pills for that one.

[r159]

A chap in my local model club has just finished one, was very complementary about the kit. He passed on a couple of tips… be careful with the amount of paint used prior to assembly as the tolerances are tight. The other was to build and paint from the engine firewall back then fit the engine at the end.

[Prolex-UK]

I have this to build.

Will watch your progress with interest.

[robemcdonald]

Here’s a quick question.

Do all these need to be drilled?

Some look like injector pins.

[gruffgriff]

I have to guess based on the shadowing of the slight radius moulded, but the below orange ringed look deliberate. The others may well be holes but the straight shaft of the ejector pin won't provide that slight rad. The blue ringed ones just don't look in the right places to me, too close to the edge of what would be a pressing or other holes. Conjecture, I don't know.

Are they seen? Engine bulkhead or lost in the cockpit? Do you need to drill them at all? Dot of black paint?

[dr_gn]

Have a look at the instructions link here:

https://www.eduard.com/Eduard/Brassin/Aircraft/1-4...

The ejector pin marks look slightly smaller. Why didn't they make the pins coincide with the dimples?

[robemcdonald]

Thanks for the replies.

I worked out what was what in the end and then spent a not insignificant amount of time cutting parts of the sprue, cleaning up flash (not too much) and moulding lines (quite a lot) and then drilling holes (absolutely loads)

I then had a great pile of parts.



Now building up sub assemblies and trial fitting stuff prior to paint.

[Regbuser]

That looks properly absorbing, nice.

[robemcdonald]

Quite therapeutic to be honest.

I started trial fitting without any glue. Everything seems to be a nice fit.

So far it looks as though Airfix have nailed this one.



One universal observation from those who have this kit is the harnesses are too thick. That is without question.

It’s pretty straight forwards to remove some thickness, so I have done that and also drilled out the holes for the buckles.

[dr_gn]

When I saw this released last year, I immediately wondered how it would compare with Tamiya's 1:32 version, for pretty much exactly the same price.

Not sure whether you built the Tmaiya version? If so, is there any more detail in this larger Airfix kit? From the few images and sprue shots I've seen, I can't see any.

[robemcdonald]

dr_gn said:

When I saw this released last year, I immediately wondered how it would compare with Tamiya's 1:32 version, for pretty much exactly the same price.

Not sure whether you built the Tmaiya version? If so, is there any more detail in this larger Airfix kit? From the few images and sprue shots I've seen, I can't see any.

I have built the tamiya 1/32 version. This has lots of extra details as far as I can tell so far.
It’s also only about 75% the price too.

Im not going to jinx it, but so far I think I am enjoying the build more too.

Time will tell,

Edited by robemcdonald on Saturday 31st December 17:12

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

dr_gn said:

When I saw this released last year, I immediately wondered how it would compare with Tamiya's 1:32 version, for pretty much exactly the same price.

Not sure whether you built the Tmaiya version? If so, is there any more detail in this larger Airfix kit? From the few images and sprue shots I've seen, I can't see any.

I have built the tamiya 1/32 version. This has lots of extra details as far as I can tell so far.
It’s also only about 75% the price too.

Im not going to jinx it, but so far I think I am enjoying the build more too.

Time will tell,

Edited by robemcdonald on Saturday 31st December 17:12

Hopefully they’ve turned the quality corner (how many times have I thought that). Must say the new 1:72 Meteor looks significantly better than most of the older light grey plastic stuff though, and the E-Type also looks quite crisp.

[Simpo Two]

If you want to drill holes really accurately.... https://www.germantools.co.uk/product/bfw40e-proxx...

It was the only way I could finish my the torpedo mounts in my MTB so I had to buy one. Dang!

[robemcdonald]

I started some painting this afternoon.

Couldn’t resist a trial assembly (nothing glued at this stage)

I’m reasonably pleased with how I managed to replicate the paper resin seat effect.

[goldbazinga]

robemcdonald said:

I started some painting this afternoon.

Couldn’t resist a trial assembly (nothing glued at this stage)

I’m reasonably pleased with how I managed to replicate the paper resin seat effect.

Looking good.

[robemcdonald]

Back to work today…

Busy last few days of Xmas break have meant slow progress, but some progress..

Will keep plodding away, maybe get the cockpit done this week.

[robemcdonald]

After work I thought I’d start the cockpit assembly.

Everything is a very good fit.

So far I am very impressed.





I really like the instrumentation panel. Individual decals for each gauge. With a drop of clear varnish on each it’s pretty convincing (to me at least)



I’m going to add some very light weathering to make some of the details stand out a bit, but I am hopefully going to keep it subtle.

[dr_gn]

Looks great. I'm on with the 1:72 version at the moment.

[robemcdonald]

dr_gn said:

Looks great. I'm on with the 1:72 version at the moment.

I’m following the group build thread. I think this is probably an easier build.