Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

[Second Air Force]

Last week I was tempted to purchase this Airfix Spitfire kit, with hopes that it might be as enjoyable to build as the Bf 109E they produce.

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

After spending some time with this model, I found that this is not quite as much fun as the Emil....... The surface engraving and basic details are nice but the trailing edges of the wings and tail surfaces are quite thick. It isn't that hard to thin these by filing and sanding, so all is not lost. I spent a few hours (waiting on the clear gloss to dry on the Eduard Mk.IX project ) fitting the wing sections together and thinning the flaps also. Next was to do the same to the rudder until it was thinned to a proper dimension. Next was to do a bit of cockpit painting. The transparent parts of this kit are really quite thick and it was decided to build it with the canopy closed, so detail inside is somewhat basic:

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

More will happen on this one as time permits!

[No.1]

Two blade propeller!!! This will be great to watch

[Second Air Force]

I've always wanted to build a two-blade early Spitfire. This one will be strictly out-of-box but I'd like to try the Tamiya Mk.I at a later time with full details.

[zetman]

Although its poorly detail as an airfix kit,I have to admit that I love these vintage wings...

[Second Air Force]

Yes, you're right about that--it needs LOTS of help to be 100% correct, but I've wanted to try one of these for some time now. In some ways it reminds me of working with vacuform (thick trailing edges and such) but I'm still having fun bashing it together. I'll eventually try the Tamiya Mk.1 also just for the fun of it.

[draken35]

Nice!

[Second Air Force]

Here is one of the modifications that must be done to correct the outline on this kit. The bottom of the vertical fin-fairing is too sloping as you can see by the marked line. I used drawings and the other Spitfire in the background to make my line, then used the Dremel tool and files to blend the shape to correct form:

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

After accomplishing this reshaping and doing some work at the nose I assembled all the principal parts into one:

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

Though this one takes some filler and sanding I'm still enjoying the build. Soon it will be time for first primer and more work!

[No.1]

I did not expect such a mistake on Spitfire

[draken35]

Excellent work for correction!

[Second Air Force]

I did some reading and there are quite a lot of little things that need work on this one. Also, and it surprised me a little, the same contributors had many issues with the Tamiya Mk.I, too. The Spitfire and Bf 109 are so well-documented that purists can always find things wrong if the model-maker doesn't get everything right.

In my case I wanted to build one of these for the experience of doing it and not so much to correct all the flaws, so I'm still having fun with it. I would like to combine the best of all worlds and build an accurate Mk.I someday by kitbashing several manufacturer's kits.

[Second Air Force]

The first coat of primer was applied to the seams and joints, then a small amount of filler where I missed spots:

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

[draken35]

Coming nicely!

[Second Air Force]

Last night I spent a bit of time cutting out and applying the masks for this machine:

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

And dark green applied:

Airfix Spitfire Mk.I 1/48

[No.1]

Good work

[draken35]

Excellent!