When it comes to Spitfires, the wing used is as important to accuracy of a kit as anything else. This kit uses the C wing and below is probably more info that you want about Spitfire wings.

The "C-type" wing, or "Universal wing" was a more heavily modified wing, redesigned to reduce labour and manufacturing time, as well as to allow different armament configuration options to be fitted in a single, universal wing structure which could accommodate several different armament layouts without serious structural modification or alteration (a similar kind of wing was developed for the Hawker Hurricane, allowing anything from 8 to 10 .303 Brownings, to four 20mm Hispanos, to twin anti-tank 40mm Vickers "S" guns and a pair of .303's to be fitted into the same wing). Without modification, the "universal" wing could accept "A", "B", "C" or "E-type" armament configuration, although the "E" type wasn't used until later marks of Spitfire. The "B" type, 2-cannon, 4-Browning layout was by far the most commonly seen on "C" wing Spitfires, until the Mk IX and the "E" wing. Differences in the "C" wings include a second cannon-bay added directly alongside the first, and the #3 Browning gun being moved slightly outboard from ribs 13 to 14, making the two outer machine guns closer together than in the older "B" type wing.

Although officially any aircraft with a universal wing is a "C" variant regardless of their armament configuration (excepting "E" types), in later popular (and incorrect) usage, "C" variants with the same armament as the "B" type are often called "B" variants, even though it's technically a "C", and structurally it is different than the older "B" wing Spitfire. The new wing now had two inner gun bays able to accommodate cannon, although one bay was usually left empty. The outer two .303 machine guns were also moved closer together than in "A" or "B" type wings, which is one of the primary visual aids to distinguishing an original "B" type from later universal wing "B types", along with the second pair of cannon ports, which are visible even though typically no weapons are fitted in the second cannon bay. In this case, the empty port is usually closed off with a rubber plug. The cannon mounts were also moved further back in the wing, so the barrel fairings of the cannon are shorter than on an original "B" Spitfire.

Few, if any, "C" Spitfires were built with the eight .303 Browning "A" armament configuration, which was viewed as obsolete by the time the Mk V went into combat. The "C" type wing was the first which could accommodate an all-cannon armament of four 20mm Hispanos; thus the "C" designation is popularly reserved for four-cannon Spitfires (i.e. Mk Vc). The "C" type armament was also rarely used (although not as rare as the "A" armament), due to the extra weight of the added cannon eroding performance and handling. Many Spitfires originally fitted with the "C" armament had the extra cannon removed in the field to save weight. In theory, a "Universal" wing Spitfire could carry an armament of four 20mm cannon and four .303 Brownings, but this would be heavily loading the aircraft indeed, and thus was never used. (An "E" type wing, usually seen in Mk IX and later versions, was similar to the "C" armament, but used a pair of American .50 caliber Browning AN/M2 heavy machine guns in place of the inner pair of Hispanos, giving an armament of two Hispanos and two .50cal Brownings.)

The Universal wing also took into account the fact that the Hispano cannon had been converted to belt-feed, a move which allowed each cannon to carry double the ammunition load, or 120 rpg in ammunition trays instead of 60 rpg as in the original drum-fed cannon of the Mk Vb. This also eliminated the need for under- and over-wing blisters to accommodate the large-diameter ammunition drum, instead only requiring a small blister to cover the electrical "Chattellerault" feed mechanism. The undercarriage mountings were redesigned and the undercarriage doors were bowed in cross section allowing the legs to sit lower in the wells, eliminating the upper-wing blisters over the wheel wells and landing gear pivot points. The stronger undercarriage legs were angled 2 inches (5.08 cm) forward when extended, making the Spitfire more stable on the ground and reducing the likelihood of the aircraft tipping onto its nose. In addition the retractable landing lights were no longer fitted. Structural hard-points were added outboard of the wheel-wells, allowing racks to be fitted under each wing which were capable of carrying one 250 lb (113 kg) bomb each.

First let me state that this kit was a new tool back in 2020 and not the older raised panel line kit. As such, it has a pretty accurate and more parts intensive interior than the older Spitfires. It has raised detail for the instrument panel and also a decal to use over it. The kit also provides the seat armor missing in older kits. The interior has separate sidewalls so you basically build the cockpit subassembly and then trap it between fuselage halves. Note that the kit offers both open and closed canopy options which will require the modeler to do a bit of trimming for the closed option.

Wings have separate pieces for the gear wells that fit into the lower halve. Holes will need to be opened if you wish to use the large fuselage slipper tank. Once the wings are assembled, it along with the horizontal stabs and rudder are attached to the fuselage. Next, the large sand filter is assembled and attached. You are provided the option for two wing cannon per side or just the single version. The markings options allow for one of each. Underwing radiators are next and you can pose the lare radiator exhaust door open if you wish.

Airfix offers the option for raised or lowered main gear. No stand is provided, but Airfix does sell those separately if you desire. With the gear and doors installed, it is time for the exhaust. Again two options are provided with one have heater tubes running off the aft section. These can be left off until after painting as can the landing gear. Other options are two different propellers and two different shape spinners. Again, one of each of the two markings options. Last bits are pitot, radio mast, pilot (if you want to use one) and the canopy option of your choice. Note that these planes did not have a long radio wire as the RAF was using VHF radios by this time and the antenna wire simply ran inside the mast.

As usual, Airfix instructions are well done and provide Humbrol paint references. For the build, only numbers are given, but for the overall camo you have RAF color names. Both options are in the desert scheme of midstone/dark earth over what they call middle blue (azure blue). The box art plane is with the 307 FS, USAAF in late 1942 and has a white spinner. The other is with 2 squadron SAAF and has a dull red spinner and horizontal stab tips. Decals are very well done  and look as good as any aftermarket sheet.