ICM Spitfire MK.XVI KIT No. 48071

The biggest problem (IMHO - but I'm not a "rivet counter") is undercarriage covers (early, "flat"  type in the model, but it should be the late type) and other (shorter and thick) cannons. The other thing are decals - it looks that upper wing roundels should be smaller (C1?). Something is wrong with the shape of carburateur intake, but I didn't care about it.

The fit is quite good, Mk XVI was the fifth ICM Spitfire I've built and I didn't have any bigger problems except fitting the engine - if you would like NOT to show the engine, don't use the "firewall" part - it makes the fuselage too wide and thus the dihedral of wings is incorrect. - this is the part on the picture, to which the engine is connected

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And since I'm just about to finish my Mk XVI - I can show you my model (I'm sorry to interfere in your post, but it's only to show how it looks) - on these pictures my Spitfire hasn't proper cannons yet

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Sorry - I hope this time pictures are seen in a proper way:

Thanks  Aleksander, I wondered what could have caused all my problems,I did want to show the Merlin. When everything went down hill after fuselage assembly, then trying too rescue the model,I just made things worse. I'll try more dry fitting next time.Thanks for the pics.,and the reply.

Yes , Thanks that showed where I went wrong.

Real nice Spit Aleksander. I too have read the firewall part is too wide, and needs to be sanded down. ICM kits are a mixed bag. I'm building their Yak 9 right now and it definitely needs some attention and serious thought during assembly. The plastic its thick and hard to work with, but the kit itself isn't to bad.

And there is my idea how to instal propeller shaft - just take a round stick and glue it with the front in place

I also asked some of the groups from across the pond about this kit, I was told of no problems ,everything fit well, instructions clear and easy too understand. Only complaint was decals were thick. Maybe one of these years I'll get back to ICM, but for now I'm building ZVEZDA's 109F which is a pleasure to build. Then on to TAMIYA's P-47. Three of each. Thanks for the tips and help. I'll keep them archived for the future.    

Decals in ICM kits (in Spitfires at least) are awfull - they disintegrate in water, so in my project I left them off and used Montex masks and their decals.

But Spitfire XVI is worth to be build, so I'm looking forward to your next projects!

Regards!

Aleksander

P.S. I'm just about to make pictures of my finished Mk XVI and Mk IX and hope to show them soon on FSM forum.

My 109 is showing progress ,slowly but surly- Life continues to slow my  progress, Picked my pilot subject now its time to concentrate on the build. I'm enjoying the quality of this Zvezda kit. This should go quite well. Thanks again Aleksander, for all your help.

My pleasure BOB!