Airfix Spitfires

Airfix released 23 Spitfires in 4 scales over the last 57 years and their objective is to release one of each mark, in 72nd scale anyway. As the premier kitmaker foe Britain youd think their kits of their most iconic aircraft would be the best there is.   Unfortunately, some have been pretty horrible as either kits, Spitfires or both. Most are accurate, albeit detail is usually sparse (in the smaller scales anyway) and if one gets past the construction issues a fine Spitfire can be had. 

In two parts I'll cover all 23 to date, in this first part I'll cover the lone 100th & the 72nd scale kits. Next month I'll cover the 48th & their 24th scale kits.  Most of my information on dates and kit numbers are taken from The Airfix Tribute Forum. 

100th Scale

Okay, technically not Airfix, in 2007 they released under the Airfix label the Doyusha tooling of a Mark Vb as kit number T1002.  Considered “pretty good” they typically come pre-painted and sometimes are released with a motorized prop. 

72nd Scale

Airfix began their aircraft models with a release of the BT-K in 1955. Based on the Aurora kit, it was scaled down to 72nd.  It is a very basic kit; its shape is definitely a Spitfire albeit not the most accurate; it is more for the beginner or nostalgic modeler. Only available until 1959 when it was replaced by their first Mark IX and is a collector's item today. The kit number was 1316, which is the same number for their Mark IX. 

Not to be confused with their first true Mark I, released in 1979 as kit number 01065, and re-released in 2003 in the BT-K bag. 

In 1959 Airfix released a Mark IX to replace the BT-K Spitfire. Also not very accurate it had markings for Wing Commander Johnnie E. Johnson's Mark IX. Originally kit number 1316, from 1988-2007 it was listed as 02081 and is generally available. Referred to as "the JEJ kit" it only looks like a Spitfire if it's the only one on the shelf. 

Airfix released a Mark Vb in 1975.  Still regarded as very accurate in shape and exterior detail. Of note, the raised detail is considered by purists to be the most accurate representation of the lapped joints along the panel lines. However Modelers in general prefer engraved panel lines, even if the most crisply done are actually over scale.  Still available as kit number 02046. 

A Mark Vc was later released in 2005 by adding a sprue to the basic Vb kit representing the revised wing armament. The new kit number is 02040.  Unfortunately the wing is overly thick and suffers engraved panel lines not in keeping with the Vb kit. The good news is a tropical filter is provided as well as parts to modify the fuselage to a Seafire, which were added in 2009 for an Airfix Club FAA release. The decals are also quite good. It's apparent the Vc sprue is just a scaling down of their so-so 48th scale Spitfire/Seafire kit as it can also be made into a Vb, Vc or Seafire Ib, IIc or III; suffering from the same faults as the 72nd boxing.

If one can find an Aeroclub c wing, which is quite good and was specifically designed as a replacement part for this kit, a very accurate Vc, or Seafire IIc can be made. 

As mentioned earlier, in 1979 Airfix released a new Mark I, much better in shape than their earlier BT-K. This new kit was very similar in quality to their Vb kit.  The Mark I and their Vb were the basis for all aftermarket products to upgrade, convert or super detail an early Spitfire for the next 20 years. Originally listed as kit number 01065, renumbered a few times but mostly as a variation of 01071, don't be confused by the recent (2010) A01071A that is a new tooling.

After Hornby bought Airfix they pledged to keep the label.  Eventually they released a new, modern tooling of the Mark I in a new red box. Very accurate in shape it also sported a highly detailed cockpit. It's only drawback is overly wide and deep panel lines; it seemed Hornby hired the Matchbox engraver!  This kit is available in both a starter's kit as well as the original and is considered more accurate even than Tamiya's Mark I. Kit number A01071A.  Also included in sets 55100, 50128, 50135, and 50143. 

A company called 3D-Kits shortly thereafter released a double sprue set containing an improved seat, control column, Coffman starter bulge and DH prop to allow conversion of either this new Mark I, the older Mark I or even the Tamiya Mark I to a Mark IIa. Also included were decals for 4 machines. 

In 2011 Airfix released this kit with an additional sprue containing parts to model an early Mark I (2 bladed Watts prop, flat canopy, pole antenna) as well as a Mark IIa (Coffman starter bulge and DH prop). Although no decals are in the box for it, the Rotol prop and enlarged oil cooler are on the sprue to allow the modeler to make a Mark Va. Unfortunate for 3D-Kits who now offer just the decals. Kit number A02010.

3D-Kits does offer a nice conversion for this kit to make the Mark IIa LR (long range). Just a simple conformal fuel tank for one wing, it includes decals. 

In 2009, Airfix released a Mark IXc to replace their 1959 tooling. Long needed in 72nd was an accurate kit and Airfix did not disappoint, however it was not as good, overall, as their recent Mark I. No cockpit to speak of, very similar to their toolings from the 1970's with a recliner for a seat and a plastic semicircle for the instrument panel, not even a decal!  Sporting similar deep panel lines, they weren't quite as bad as the Mark I. Parts were in the box to make an early or late Mark IXc and even a post-war mark, however only the wheels for a late Mark IXc were included (4 spokes). The prop is a bit anemic but is passable and the decals are very good.

Also in 2009 a PR Mark XIX variant was released, their first Griffon engined kit in 72nd scale.  Kit number 02017, it is very similar to the Mark IXc in detail, it does suffer from being too short by about 4 scale inches (it's the length of a late Merlin Spitfire, not a Griffon). Still a very nice kit to build, it's a toss up whether to improve this inexpensive kit or to pay top dollar for the difficult to find Fujimi XIX that also must be converted, albeit from a F Mark XIV. 

Not yet available in the US, Airfix announced a F Mark 22 for release for 2012, I'm still looking for a reboxing of their Mark I/IIa/Va as Wing Commander Douglas Bader's Va he was in when he was shot down and taken prisoner in 1941.

Airfix Spitfire Mk Ia (1979 tooling)

Supermarine Spitfire I, R6595/DW O, 610 County of Chester Squadron, RAF
Biggin Hill, August 1940, P/O F. K. Webster, KIA 26 August 1940.

I was reviewing the Group Build section of Fine Scale Modeler last month and when I spotted an Airfix group decided I could be in and do a quick build of an older Mk Ia I had in my stash. My original plans for the kit were to convert it to a PR Mk I something or other that would not be a quick nor easy effort. So I rummaged through my spare decals and found an old Aeromaster sheet of Spitfires from the Battle of Britain (72-028). Paint and glue at the ready I jumped in.

The Aircraft

Spitfire Mk I, R6595, from first production batch of 450 aircraft on third contract awarded 9 August 1939.  This was the first aircraft in the batch, delivered 7 May 1940 to Number 8 Maintenance Unit. Delivered to 610 Squadron on 28 July 1940. Because of timing this aircraft would have been delivered to 8 MU with then then-required Night/White undersurfaces. While at the MU it would have been repainted with Sky undersurfaces per directives dating from June 11. This is certainly during the period from June to September where a controversial shade of Sky could have been applied, ranging from Sky Grey, Sky Blue, Eau-de-Nil, through to actual Sky.  As an example for demonstrating all the possible variations, this subject hits them all. Aeromaster suggest Sky.

This aircraft is featured in a fairly well known and widely published photograph from the period.  On Monday 26 August, 1940, the aircraft crashed after being badly damaged by a Bf109; the pilot, Pilot Officer F. K. Webster, was killed while attempting to land at Hawkinge.

References:  Spitfire the History, 610 Squadron History.

The Model

As mentioned above, this is the older tooling Airfix Spitfire Mk Ia dating from 1979.  Airfix modified the molds to be a snap together kit in the early 1980's.  Actually a fairly accurate kit in shape and outline, but the detail is raised (arguably more accurate) and the cockpit is nearly void except for a seat. The cockpit is not much of a problem if using the kit canopy as it is rather thick, most especially if one is to put a pilot in there. But if wanting to use a vac canopy much detail will be needed. For this effort I chose the kit canopy with no pilot.

As this was for the FSM Group Build I didn't want to take too long and it's the last of my old tooling Mk I kits. I removed the snap together pins to correct alignment but overall the fit is very good. As is typical of this kit and similar offerings from that period, construction was very quick and I was ready for painting within an hour. I almost felt like a kid again!

After a primer coat from a spray can, I hand painted the camouflage using Humbrol enamels.  Dark Earth (29) and Dark Green (116), after Sky (90) was airbrushed for the undersides.  Future was applied for the decals and followed with a light wash using Payne's Gray oil was applied.  A 50/50 mix of Future with Acryl clear flat was then applied as a final sealer.

Back to the undersurface color:  Humbrol 90 is listed as a recommended enamel paint for Sky, however the formulation has changed over the years. I have two tins, one the earlier Super Enamel before Hornby and Hornby's version with the blue stripe. The difference is subtle with the older paint looking truer to Sky with a slightly greener hue than the later paint.  Conversely the later paint is slightly bluer. I cannot stress how subtle the difference is and lighting conditions matter greatly. So based on the subject's timing, I used the later tin of "blue stripe" 90 as a local interpretation of sorts for Sky.

And that was that. A very fun build of a fairly familiar subject. It's unique with the oversized markings on the fuselage and fills a void in my collection of early Spitfires. Total time was less than 7 hours spread over a couple of weeks in order for paint and clear coats to thoroughly cure.