This is the newly-released Spitfire IIa that I picked up from Sprue Brothers for $24, an apparent bargain for a 1/32 scale kit. But all was not well once the kit is opened and critically inspected: the radiators belong to a Mark V, the ailerons are metal-covered instead of the correct fabric, the wheels and tires are not correctly shaped and the spinner is a disaster. I fixed as much as I could using BarracudaCast's resin correction set (radiators and ailerons), got resin wheels left over from a Pacific Coast Models Spitfire IX, a new spinner left over from a Hasegawa Spitfire V kit, and I made numerous surgical improvements to the fuselage and belly to get the shape correct. The absolute worst part of the kit was the fit of the clear parts. The rear vision pane was too short and not wide enough, the two-piece windscreen was a nightmare to blend into the fuselage, and the canopy itself is not wide enough to fit the model in the open position. I forced it down anyway and expect it to break from the tension sometime in the future. The kit tail wheel strut broke three times during the project and had to be replaced with a metal piece from a SAC Spitfire IX set. An Eduard harness was used, and the crowbar was scraped off the inside of the cockpit door. Finished as a Mark I shot down over France in May 1940 with decals provided by EagleCals, which were a delight to use. Weathering was done with a light touch as this airplane didn't last very long in combat.
I don't know if I can recommend this kit to others, and I'm really disappointed with Revell for making such bone-head errors on a brand new state-of-the-art kit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/leekol/Models/Spitfire%20II%2008_zpsngkhff19.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/leekol/Models/Spitfire%20II%2011_zpsd6iyksfy.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/leekol/Models/Spitfire%20II%2027_zps3qjuur2d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/leekol/Models/Spitfire%20II%2018_zpsmvwbx1ob.jpg)
Lee K
Another excellent looking build.
For disaster of a kit you made a really nice Spitfire! I wonder what Revell used as a reference?
RonV
Have to agree with Ron - fantastic "glass of lemonade" from the bag of lemons Revell gave you.
I am not totally surprised with the "mix & match" you found in your kit. You would think that a company with the long history that Revell has in scale modeling would provide a more accurate replica. Considering my P6M Seamaster (early 1960's molds) was a combination of both prototypes, I wonder about their research department. I too would expect better especially in this day of computer researching AND the existence of the ACTUAL prototype in England.
Thanks Ryan, Ron, and Steve. The leading theory is that Revell's designers used a warbird in their research for the kit, one that had been heavily modified by adding Mark V radiators and ailerons to it. But the other errors they made leave one scratching one's head. The same occurred with their Bf 109G-6 kit, which featured nose guns too closely spaced together and gun bulges on the sides of the fuselage that are noticeably too small. This one makes no sense because there are at least a dozen or more aircraft in museums in Germany that could have been easily accessed.
Oh well -- it's just a model.
Lee K
Fantastic model Lee. You did a great job. I was thinking about building this kit but I might take a pass. Great work!
That's a beauty, Lee. I was so excited when Revell announced this kit and was so disappointed when the errors were revealed. This kit would have been and should have been a home run, but they botched it. I was absolutely going to buy one, but didn't. I've already got enough 1/32 scale kits on my bucket list that require lots of attention: I just wanted a nice Mk 1 Spit that would build up out of the box, and that's what Revell should have supplied, but didn't. A real shame.
Cheers,
Lee G.
Still not a bad price for the kit, not $5 but not bad for a new kit. 8)
Do you have a pic of the underside? Is that two tone/ a split camo on the bottom?
I saw what you did there, referencing an infamous $5 kit that I have promised not to mention again. ;)
The half black, half white undersides of RAF aircraft was meant as an aid to identification to AAA batteries to avoid friendly fire. It was only in place for a couple of months before being replaced by Sky.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/leekol/Models/Spitfire%20II%2039_zpskmy3yivj.jpg)
Thanks for the kind words, Bill.
Lee K
While I'm sure you did not 'enjoy' this build as much as you had hoped, knowing how you are sweet on Spitfires and all, still you delivered a very fine looking model from an apparent 'dog' of a kit (and that may be an insult to dogs!).
Still, VERY well done!
Bill L.
Quote from: Lee_K on Wed 08/19/15 07:37 PM
I saw what you did there, referencing an infamous $5 kit that I have promised not to mention again. ;)
Whaaaaat! No not me.
Looks very nice.