SPA Modeler

Got inspired by Bruces upcoming 1/72 Spitfire build, looking at what my LHS has to offer and I am overwhelmed with options..
(available at the shop "as we speak", all 1/72 at https://www.dominomodel.com/ )

- Academy Mk. XIV c
- Airfix Pr. XIX
- Airfix Mk. Ia
- Eduard Mk. XVI
- Eduard Mk. IXc
- Eduard Mk. VIII
- HobbyBoss Mk. Vb
- Heller Mk. XVI
- Italeri Mk. Vb
- Italeri Mk. IX
- Italeri Mk. VI
- Revell Mk. Vb
- Revell Mk. IIa
- Tamiya Mk. Vb

(Hasegawa only available as a duo-pack of along with either a Beaufighter or a Mosquito, and the price is around 50 €, which I say is sort of outrageous...)

All available single kits are in the same priceclass, around 10 € +/- 2 €.
Tamiya (14 €) being more expensive than for example Eduards Profipack 12 €, but Eduards Weekend kit is has same price as Airfix.

Cheapest is Revells with a price tag of , 6 €. I guess a very old kit...

I am about to hit the road towards my LHS, let's see which one I come back with...

- Kari

After some thoughts...

Will be this... :-)



- Kari

Nice - Eduard's Spit's are good kits by all accounts.

The Airfix Spitfires are good too - it's one thing they do well!

The Eduard kit is a wonderful choice, Kari. Apologies for not being more efficient with a reply. Over here in the United States it is just a few minutes past 8:30 am. I see by the time stamp you were at your local shop an hour ago. I was actually looking at Eduard’s Brassin parts series for an improved tailwheel last night. So, yes, go for it (since you already went for it, thumbs way up).

My impressions from your list are limited specifically to the newer toolings by Airfix and Revell of Germany. Of those, I strongly believe RoG hits the right spot for price and parts. However, I believe that Eduard is superior in detailing to both. I cannot write about the others in any great detail. On FB I suggested to Portman he ought to build a CMR resin kit. When I looked for one, I found the prices to be too dear for me.

In my case, I felt the Hasegawa offered solid engineering as well as an accurate shape. Really it was the price and the whole mystery of entering the research of a Spitfire that intrigued me. 40-in roundels, A and B camouflage patterns and finally the unit itself that fired me up. Also, truly there is the challenge of “building from afar,” in the sense of both distance and time. Most of my searches online lead to European reviews and builds. This is after all the ultimate military symbol of Britain during WWII.

In closing, I open the floor to your thoughts! What made your choice?

Well if either of you need any help - I have some pretty good references...

Oh and...

Question for Stuart—what color do use for Dark Earth? I have Gunze enamel whose version was referred to as “poo” by someone on Britmodeler. I was going to try cutting the “poo” level back by adding tan. It seems that many color profiles account for bright sunlight on dark earth by using tan. I hear Carlos Kahn’s voice somewhere saying, “Do not trust a profile...”

Hi Bruce,

My 'go to' is normally (or used to be) Humbrol 29 Dark Earth, but Tamiya also do one - XF-72 as does Hataka, which is probably what I'll use on mine.

The detail painting is by Tooby who does the Airfix box art currently. I know there are a ton of modulation effects at work in his digital paint but I think I will start with Gunze tan then darken with a wash to avoid going too dark. If I add a bit of “poo” to tan this happens:

That sounds like a plan Bruce!

Indeed it does, Stuart. Indeed it does. Thanks.