SPA Modeler

mustang1989 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2026 7:08 pm I've seen a couple of the Eduard kits built up. Impressive detail.

They're very nice kits, although there are a few questionable engineering choices. but they build up well. I built their mk.XVIe a few years back and enjoyed it.

This....


Eduard are good kits but watch out for first edition types. I had both a P-51D Mustang and most recent, the FW-190 A-6. Took a hammer to both due to poor fit issues and too much over engineering.

My advice? Look in scalemates and read the reviews. Some will say a certain 1st edition kit is wonderful but in reality to an average builder, they're a nightmare.

I've built up Hasegawa and Tamiya Spitfires and they're put together well.

In my humble opinion as someone who's built the best part of 40 Spitfires, if you want to build a Spitfire, get an Airfix kit, with maybe an AM IP and belts. Airfix may not have the greatest reputation, but if there's one aircraft they know how to kit, it's the Spitfire. Their latest generation of 1/48 kits (all of which are in my soon to be built pile bar the T.9) look excellent and have a good reputation for going together well.

In regards to my pile, here's the latest stage - everything done bar the U/C and props etc.



Cheers!

Those are looking very Spitfire-y, Stuart. Well done. But, it looks as though you built them upside down. Just an observation.

No they're the correct way up, it's just the bench that's on the ceiling.

Thanks Lyle.

Oh, right you are. Carry on!

Thanks Bruce - Go for it, it's easy enough. The key really is to use small amounts of paint at a time i.e. not overloading the brush and to try and stop the paint drying on the bristles. If you can get that and then add a decent clear spray to pull it all together you can get a nice finish.

Man you are straight up killin' it here Stuart. Moving like a butterfly & stingin' like a bee.

Very impressive progress man.

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 27, 2026 7:45 am

Stuart wrote: ↑Fri Mar 27, 2026 5:32 am

They're very nice kits, although there are a few questionable engineering choices. but they build up well. I built their mk.XVIe a few years back and enjoyed it.

This....


Eduard are good kits but watch out for first edition types. I had both a P-51D Mustang and most recent, the FW-190 A-6. Took a hammer to both due to poor fit issues and too much over engineering.

My advice? Look in scalemates and read the reviews. Some will say a certain 1st edition kit is wonderful but in reality to an average builder, they're a nightmare.

I've built up Hasegawa and Tamiya Spitfires and they're put together well.

I'm not sure about the Eduard P-51 as I've never built one but I can most assuredly agree with you on the early Fw190A line up Tom. I will say that the trouble areas have been identified and the obstacles in these early 190 kits can indeed be overcome. I built mine just as the problematic areas were being rectified by builders so I got lucky. I still have an early edition Fw190A-8/ R-2 in the stash and am going to have another go at it. I normally would never do such a thing but these build up into awesome opened up birdies.
You're definitely right about the fact that if one is seeking an enjoyable and easy build to go the Tamiya route first. Hasegawa is a close second IMO but still easy.