Subject: Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VB

Scale: 1/48

Manufacturer: Airfix

Kit No.: (Squadron Mail Order Nos.) AX04100

Parts: 44 (5 transparencies, 39 gray styrene)

Media: Injection molded styrene

Price: US$10.50 (Squadron catalogue price), but can be found cheaper

Detail: 7 (ascending scale 1-10)

Accuracy: 9 (ascending, 1-10); see review

Even though I tried to make a Revellogram Mk. I into a Mk. V, I used Airfix Mk. V parts to do it, and I'd use some Revellogram parts on the Airfix kit too. That said, the Airfix Mk. V Spitfire is a worthwhile investment that looks good when done. It can look even better with some careful assembly and parts rework. The big plus in this kit is the ventral wing-fuselage joint. Until the quarter-scale Tamiya and Hasegawa Spits reared their collective head, only Airfix and Hasegawa's 1/32 Mk. V had this detail right among the more available injection-molded Merlin and early Griffon-powered types.

The cockpit is better than the Revellogram Spit's front office, and provides a separate side access hatch. Aftermarket parts wouldn't hurt here, but the stock cockpit is no slouch either. Alternate windscreens are provided for internal and external-armor versions, but the main sliding cover is molded integral with the rear canopy section. Kit options include retracted or extended-position landing gear (non-operating), Vokes filter or European nose, and deHavilland or Rotol propeller units. A nice pilot with separate arms is also included.

Some minor problems inhabit this kit, and I suspect - based on various comments on the Airfix Buccaneer and Tornado kits - that these will be familiar to frequent Airfix patrons. The wing fillet panels are thicker than the surrounding fuselage panels and could use some rubbing with 400 and 600 grit to lessen the effect. When gluing the wing to the fuselage, also take care to ensure that any clamping or strapping holds the wings square to the fuselage longitudinal (fore and aft) axis. I didn't, and one wing developed about a half-degree of forward sweep. The tailplanes have rather thick trailing edges and blunt leading edges. Some light file and sandpaper work here will improve the appearance. If you have an old set of Monogram/Revell or even Fujimi tailplanes, though, they will save some of that work.

The separate cannon fairings also require care to get a good snug fit with the pads in the wing leading edges. The decals provide markings for a tropical Mk. Vb flown by Neville Duke and European theater version. Roundels and multi-color pieces were out of register, although the roundels featured the correct Dull Red centers. Aftermarket sheets abound for Spitfires, so replacement decals shouldn't be too much of a problem.

All in all, Airfix's Spit can be a bit of a workout, but she's not the nightmare that some kits are. She has a good outline, good detail, and is affordable. A note for all you viewers of UK shows on public TV: As my wife pointed out to me, the Airfix Spitfire is the plane super-glued to Adrian Mole's nose when he went to the National Health Service doctor. Like American advertising still likes to point out; "AS SEEN ON TV . . ."

- Mike Still