Box cover art is nice done, with two Spitfire Mk.V in flight, different camouflage, all in nice background made of national insignia and archive photo. All part sets inside are doubled, so there is two transparent frets, as well 14 frets of grey plastic. Alongside comes double pack of pre painted etched parts and protective mask. Decals are provided as separated two of stencils and one large print with unit and national insignia. Not many parts are to be used so care with selections of parts (as well many look similar), should be made. Instruction leaflet is rich, very good explained, start from history and final painting tips. Interesting to note is that there is even ten options for kit painting and two of them are early camouflage pattern, with Dark Earth, Dark Green and Sky at bottom, not so common camouflage for Mk.V.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] First step as always is determination what to do, as well parts differ in regard what sample machine is going to be made. After this, I have selects parts, first for the cockpit and start basic painting. Dominative color for cockpit is Grey Green, typical British WW2 interior color, with rear section of cockpit in silver color. Small parts differ in color so some elements are in black color and grey. I notice that parts are art of engineering and look like that it is a bit more easy to assembly then previous kit version, Eduard did some invisible improvements here.

Nice to note is that some sections have few options to be built, like instrument panel, is can be made from original plastic parts, with decal over it for instruments, or with use of etched parts, as I did here in my build. Only step I have skip in this early assembly is placing of gun sight at the top of instrument panel, I did it much later, before closing with wind screen. Gun sight is interesting, it have basic part which goes on instrument panel and on top come the same vision, and it have two options, depends what sample machine is going to be built.

Entire cockpit is assembled as one section and then place inside fuselage half’s. Before do this assembly and join two half’s, there is few small elements to be placed inside cockpit, most of parts are at top of fuselage half’s which are parts of the cockpit interior. Also there is one pressure bottle in cockpit and at rear bottom part need to be cement base for rear wheel. With this all done, fuselage is completed and next to be made are wings.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] From very start need to select wing parts for specific sample what is under build, same as for fuselage. Build of wings starts from bottom parts where first need to drill few small holes in outer wing area and then continue with build. All assembly is focused on bottom part, where goes part for wheel bay. Part are detailed and once when complete give nice impression of inner structure. Last step, before cover with top wing section, is to put gun barrels.

Thanks to the excellent quality parts, build goes really smooth. On fuselage need to place with and on rear horizontal stabilizer. Continue to that is add some elements of wing, roll controls and wing tips. There is two type of tips, standard and cliped, very short ones, used for better performances at low height. At bottom goes a lot of external elements and most of them uses etched parts for better details. It is good to paint em separately as well they differ from outer color. Main cooler have options to be open or closed.

Main wheels are among those who are going to be mount at bottom and you can delayed this step for very end, to place em as completely painted elements. Tire is same in all options only wheel hub differ for various version which is present in kit for final sample. Cannons can be place in this step and cockpit can be put on final works. Cockpit can be open, with side flaps down and can be closed. Different side flaps is provide, depends are you going to make open or closed version.

Elements which really impress me is exhaust stuck. At first glance, it look complicated as well on main pipe need to put three small parts, but it is very easy to do and result is so authentic! This exhausts as well propeller (with optional parts), is best to be places as finished at very end. Propeller have options for different spinners, my sample used short one.

My choice for final build sample is sample machine flown by F/Lt Eric S. Lock, Spitifire Mk.V, W3257, from No. 611 Squadron. He was most successful pilot during the Battle of Britain. Here on photo he is seen with the squadron pet dog in the cockpit of his Spitfire Mk.Vb E-FY W3257 at RAF Hornchurch, 31 July 1941 (KIA 3/8/41). He wears a Luftwaffe Schwimmweste also note his tally of 26 ‘kills’, all made in one year. In this Spitfire took off at 03 August 1941., from RAF Hornchurch and when flying over the Nord Pas de Calais region and saw a group of soldiers and vehicles, he then went to machine gun them, he was never seen again. He had 26 kills to his name. His Spitfire was painted in dal light camouflage with Dark Earth and Dark Green patches at the top and bottom in Sky.

Excellent kit!! I am so impressed with so many external surface details on kit and overall quality of the kit parts. So easy to built and with various options for final finish. Definitely kits worth to have it built it!! Sample kit can be catch here and my thanks goes to Eduard who provide me sample for review.

Srećko Bradić

Early August the Spitfire Mk. IX G-IRTY started for a trip around the world with Pilatus PC-12 OY-THP a support aircraft. On Monday 2 December they arrived at Lelystad Airport. The two aircraft were parked on the premises of the Aviodrome Aviation Museum. On Tuesday 3 December both planes made a short formation flight over the Netherlands. Today, Wednesday 4 December, both aircraft will be flown back to London to finish their world trip. G-IRTY was in fact back at Aviodrome.

When the museum was still located at Schiphol Airport the Aviodome Museum as it was called by that time made a complete restoration of this plane in Dutch Air Force colors. Later it was sold to the UK and finally used for its around the world flight in brightly polished aluminium scheme.

Nico Braas

It is not first time to build Eduard’s Spitfire Mk. VIII but this is first one in 1/72 scale. As I say a time ago, Eduard give hard push in develop so many variants and in different markings and box, to deliver on market.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] This one is mostly dedicated to various operators so you have options to do samples operated by British USA, Australians but also you have also nice options about camouflage as well there is covered four completely different camouflage!!! This kit with stock code 70128 is somehow absolute fit my choice with options it have. Yes, among the other options is to make kit with clipped wings, standard wings, extended wing tips, high vertical tail, standard tail…

Same kit is so simple, inside just five grey plastic frets, one transparent, etched set (painted of course), quick mask, excellent instruction and two decal sheet (one for stencils and other for unit markings and national insignia).

No specific tip to mention about build, no matter that some sections look complex, like cockpit, it is actually so easy to build as well parts fit excellent. In this build I use more plastic elements for inside, for example behind pilot seat can be mounted metal plate from etched seat but I decide to use standard plastic part. It have many options so if you prefer more plastic elements inside, you can use for example frame element B41 or 45 instead of B39 (which include using of etched triangle in top area). Cockpit basic color is Grey Green with some small elements in other colors.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] Details of importance is preparing fuselage half’s for assembly. If you plan to keep cockpit closed, then you need to trim area near entry flaps from extra plastic. Kit provide different cockpit canopy, closer or open version as well options for entry flaps in regard are you going to use it open or closed. All elements I took is related to closed version.

It is important to make study of the kit you plan to do as well selected final model will influenced in parts used on kit. This options starting to emerge from the wing assembly, first in parts used in landing gear bay and then wing tips used. Engine cowling is one and only but follow to this you need again to choose which vertical tail you going to use.

Sample machine I decide to make is the F Mk. VIII, JF330, flown by AVM Harry Broadhurst. Machine is interesting for me as well it have desert camouflaged machine and extended wing tips and all together look so attractive for me. One point I have to make- Azure Blue color at bottom. Eduard provide all paints in Gunze Sangyo range, you have two options, acryl and enamel. In acryl Azure Blue is not available but it is easy to mix it, add to H49 Violet some 20% of White and you did it. Not absolute match but it will work greatly.

No idea what conclusion to make, I simply like this kit! Lovely looking, easy to build, so many options, easy even to less skilled modeler. You can find sample for you here and my great thanks goes to Eduard for sample kit!

Srecko Bradic

P.S. I forget to paint red cover marks on wing gun… will paint it some later by brush, if I don’t forget

This Supermarine Spitfire FR MK.IXc was one of many Spitfires modified to fighter reconnaissance role and it served in No.16 Sq RAF. Its serial was MK915 and it served at Bayeux airfield in Belgium, September 1944. After the war, this machine was sold out to Turkey. Its featured standard PRU Pink scheme with invasions stripes adopted after D Day, while those at wing bottom was less visible.

Kit is made from basic Eduard Overstress kit, code 70121X, which include parts for one Mk.IXc kit. Kit served as base for great upgrade, it have Brassin Spitfire cockpit, Brassin exhaust, Brassin engine cowling, Brassin Bronze legs and Brassin drop tank. Decals is designed by my self and printed by my friend. Personally I am so pleasured with result and look.

As well basic kit have no any reconnaissance feature, I have drill camera hole on the port side of fuselage, behind the cockpit. Hole is filled with Cristal Clear and this create transparent cover. From available photo I have noted worn out look of the airplane so I give attention to this. Propeller have a little scratched paint on leading edge.

Element what possibly differ from entire airplane is drop tank, my guess, from available photo, is that it is painted in Medium Sea Grey.

Srecko Bradic

Spitfire drop tank was used among many other types of fuel tank and Eduard did made this one to equip their series of Spitfires kits. Scale of their product is 1/72, it is mixed pack (resin and etched parts) and stock code is 672122. It belong to Brassin series of product, it come in transparent plastic case and content is two resin parts, one sheet of etched part’s and small instruction leaflet.

Before start work with this, it is good to drill holes in your Spitfire kit. On the bottom wings you have visible hole points where to drill in case you want to attach drop tank. Drill this in during the assembly, it will be a bit complicated to do later.

Work on Brassin drop tank is easy, remove fuel tank and its pylon from mold base and slightly sand to achieve smooth surface. On pylon need to attach etched part (Eduard provide two samples) on front part. Paint this tank with required paint, I use Medium Grey color. When its dry, attach it on completed kit.

Another simply to use product from Eduard, easy to use and nice looking finished. My big thanks goes to Eduard and sample for you is here!

Srecko Bradic

On my desk is few boxes of various bronze Brassin landing gear for Spitfire and I decide to use the one with stock code 672135 and reason is that my kit demand this set. Kit I built is in 1/72 scale, so set is in same scale and it is bronze leg with five spoke wheels and smooth tire. If you have take a look on Spitfire Mk. IX images, you will realize that they have different type of tire as well wheels. Eduard do took great attention and make sets with all of this variations. On you is just to take a look what type you need.

Inside- two resin parts, two bronze legs, sheet of protective mask for tire and instruction leaflet. All of this packed in plastic transparent box. Work is absolute easy, you need no machine workshop to work with bronze, they are cast perfectly, no mold base. They have tiny line on mold join line and to smooth it, just slide razor edge over it few times. And you get smooth area and line. Similar simplicity with resin parts, remove it and this is it. Just smooth line where it was connected to mold base.

Paint is easy, metal leg are in silver color with high polished oleo area, landing gear door goes into external colors and wheels are silver center and rubber in rubber color. Fix into position is more then easy, I was feel uncomfortable with bronze parts, how they will fit into holes and the fit perfectly and easy, absolute no adjusting work and handling.

I mention that this is not only one bronze set, here is what else you have:

672134 Spitfire Mk. IX undercarriage legs (no wheels inside)
672136 Spitfire Mk. IX legs BRONZE w/5 spoke wheels, pattern
672137 Spitfire Mk. IX legs BRONZE w/4 spoke wheels, smooth tire
672138 Spitfire Mk. IX legs BRONZE w/4 spoke wheels, pattern

They are all in 1/72 scale and dedicated to Eduard Spitfire in 1/72 scale. But not to forget some more basic products, they are not with bronze but also worth to use:

672106 Spitfire Mk. IX wheels – 5 spoke, smooth tire
672107 Spitfire Mk. IX wheels – 5 spoke, w/pattern
672108 Spitfire Mk. IX wheels – 4 spoke, smooth tire
672109 Spitfire Mk. IX wheels – 4 spoke, w/pattern

Product used in this build is excellent, details are top and so easy to use, can do even less experienced modeler. Big thanks to Eduard for sample product and get your sample here!

Srecko Bradic

This so simple product come in transparent plastic box and inside is two parts only, two exhaust. Of course, there is small instruction leaflet, which provide details how to use it. Scale is as told, 1/72 and in this scale you can find exhaust fishtail, stock code 672110 and rounded exhaust, stock code 672111. Here is present fishtail exhaust.

Nothing special to told about use- I paint it while on their mold base. I paint start with dark iron shade and add wash with light metal shade, silver and then blend them together. This is basic coat and over it can go rust and various shading. When kit is full complete, I place it on very end. It features very nice external details.

You can find this product here and I grant thanks to Eduard for sample product.

Srecko Bradic

Among the many update product for their Spitfires, Eduard also produced a number of top engine cowling’s.

In my previous reviews you have noted that I did not mentioned any specific issues with Eduard Spitfires. But this does not mean that they can’t be. One of problem which can occur is with the Spitfire engine cowling. In original kit, this element is made from two parts. Obviously that some details can not be captured if made this part as single subject so in Eduard had designed it as two part. Problems can appear when cement this two part, if you don’t join em precisely, you will be forced to correct it, this mean sand, filler… and this can resulted in losing of some surface details. Then make details again…

Brassin cowling is made to avoid this problems, it is easy to use and very detailed. First at all, there is not only one type of top cowling’s, on Spitfire VIII and IX are two types and Eduard produce both of them. Here is demonstration of one of them.

Main photo here, including of photo on kit, is for the Brassin product Spitfire Mk. IX top cowl late, scale is 1/72 and stock code 672 124. Product come in plastic transparent box, inside is small leaflet and one single part. Work is simple possible, cut it of from its base, if need some sand of that area and place on kit. This is it.

Photo of this cowling is here, used on Eduard Spitfire and as you see, it greatly captured surface details and it is so easy to treat with various wash product to give more realistic look. Another product related to this one is stock code 672 123, also Spitfire cowling in 1/72 scale but early series.

For large scale cowling’s are also available, and there is also cowling’s for Spitfire VIII as well XVI. They are identical structure as cowling presented here, in plastic transparent box, one piece inside, cut and place!!!

This really work great and I will not hesitate to use em more on my builds. Big thanks to Eduard for sample products and sample presented here can be find here!

Srecko Bradic

This cockpit set is from Brassin series of products, it contain resin parts as well photo etched parts and in this case also transparent foil with printed gun sight glass. Product come in transparent plastic box case and its stock code is 672 112. Idea of this set is to completely replace all cockpit elements provided with basic kit, so you get entirely new cockpit. Main benefit is in extra details, resin cast can include more details then plastic injection parts and it is so welcome for subjects as this one.

So many parts is inside, more then some kits have in 1/72 scale. So take a breath and go. What I did first is paint all parts in interior Grey Green color and after it was dry, I have paint small elements in other colors, few are present there, black, silver and light grey. Next to do is apply a coat of very dark wash, this is why parts on some images look so dark. They was partially wash out to get some moderate level of parts contrast. Instruction is provided on three small leaflet and all steps are clear and explained. Starting from cockpit, there is variation in build, instrument panel include elements which can be used on Spitifire models c and e. I choose c as well this will be my final plastic kit. Main work is based on three sections, floor, left and right side panels. Floor include most of the parts, instrument panel, pilot controls, seat, frames and various small elements.

Take care when do some elements, like pilot seat. It is consisted from resin seat, pilot belts, rear etched plate and construction. Note to make small gap when you set seat on rear plate, there have to be placed seat belts. Photo etched parts PE20 and 21 allow to put this plate on seat with very small gap. When complete seat, it goes on frame and take care as well entire construction is sensitive and can be fragile. On this seat frame is at top head rest, Eduard provide two types, take a look on photos of actual subject you are built, to be sure you choose right one.

When floor is completed, it is placed between side panels. This side panels are so detailed, many elements are included on them and few need to be add. They have visible lines where floor with its elements need to be placed. Once they are placed, it is almost ready to put it in fuselage. Fuselage sides from original kit include framing elements which need to be cut. One photo show red marks where to cut and sand but you have it also in kit explained. Then there come photo etched wall and some small resin parts. No idea why but I forget to take photo when this step was completed, sorry for that.

In original instruction, you cement cockpit section in one of fuselage side and then close with another fuselage side. I try different and it work, I have cemented fuselage sides first but I cement only rear section, up to cockpit. Then I push cockpit section from bottom and it work perfect! But better follow Eduard instruction, I just try option. When it find its place inside fuselage, I cement gun sight at top of instrument panel. By instruction, it have to be done much before but I know my self, I could crash this tiny part during work so it is far safer like this. Part which is not included in this photo is resin rear view mirror. It goes on windshield. To manage fuselage to fit wings, inner surface of the bottom wing need to be grind and sand to remove some extra material and make gap where bottom of Brassin cockpit can rest.

Excellent set!! Not for beginners definitely, need some experience. Parts are so precise, I see absolute no problem in work with. Material is so easy cut and sand. Final result is so detailed cockpit and it is more then recommended. Big thanks to Eduard for sample product and you can find your sample here! And yes, for evaluation of this product, I use Eduard Overstress kit Spitfire, 70121X.

Srecko Bradic

Kit under stock code 2117 is dual combo kit so you have two kits inside. Each kit have seven plastic frets with parts (one is transparent), pre painted etched set and protective mask. There is decals set, separate for stencils and national insignia and all double. Bulk of material when you open the box so full time job just to arrange material. As well Eduard kits have many features, good thing is first to make study of what sample kit you will make and then to take attention during assembly.

Work on kits going side by side, Eduard provide steps for one version first, razor back first then bubble canopy and interesting that assembly start with wings.  Parts are not the same for cockpit as well fuselage so take great care when work on kit. Wheel bay is made from few elements and it is good detailed. Cockpit is detailed made and cockpit frames, floor and side wall is very good detailed. Cockpit interior color is grey green with some details in other color.

I would like to note that in assembly note photo etched part is wrong marked, instead of PE 23, have to be use PE 25. As well I note problems, I seen stronger mold line on landing gear parts B27 and B28, so they need additional work to get in good shape.

Parts are crisp shape and excellent merge so built goes precisely. Some elements have options like cooler radiator, which flap can adjust and cement in other angle as well pilot cockpit which can be made open or closed with side flap which also can be open or closed. Kit also provides parts for bombs and various fuel tanks, use it at need, so study photos of actual plane you built and then decide of their use.

Sample machine I decide to built is Spitfire XVI from No. 349 Squadron, code D GE and register TD900. I decide to step a bit from Eduard proposed painting as well I find few photos of this machine so I did not use decals 25/25 and 23/65 on side fuselage, just decals 56. Also I have made some area in bare metal as well I have seen peel of paint on some areas. Spinner is also difficult, on photo I have seen it is dark color, can be blue or red, I decide to paint it blue. This machine pass through changes in its service, so look I have did here is just one of them, finally this machine was all silver but very short lived in this pattern.

Kit is so good, I like it much. Details is great, easy to do, great options for decals! Highly recommend it and big thanks to Eduard for free sample kit. And yes- your sample is here!

Srecko Bradic