Which Spit kit?

I have built the Tamiya Mk V and the new tool Airfix Mk I (which I assume is substantially similar to the Mk V in terms of general construction/detail, etc).

Tamiya:

You really can't go wrong with this one. Detail is good, and fit is perfect. A very easy to construct no-putty model that looks good. The decals are not great, so you may want to replace them. Comes with both Vokes and Aboukir filters.

Again, it's hard to overstate how well this kit goes together. Tamiya's engineering sometimes amazes me.

Airfix:

First, make sure it is a new tool kit and not some 40 year old mold in a new box. That said, I found the new Airfix kit to be a little more detailed than the Tamiya kit, especially in the cockpit. Really almost a tie here, slight edge to Airfix.

Surface detail is very good, panel lines are deeper and more pronounced than Tamiya. Again, more or less a draw.

Construction is more fiddly than Tamiya. It goes together fairly well, but really nothing like the Tamiya kit. Some putty and sanding will be required, nothing too major.

Parts count is higher, lots of small bits compared to Tamiya. Decals are MUCH better than Tamiya.

Conclusion: they are both good, but I'd personally go with the Tamiya kit and some AM decals. The ease of construction is just so nice. 

Don't forget about Eduard. I've got a couple of their Spitfire kits, and the detail, inside & out, is just incredible. Haven't built them yet, but, from what I've read about them online, they great kits.

Gary Mason

Thanks for the info guys. Definitely useful. As I'm specifically after the Spit Vc, does anyone have any thoughts on the Special Hobby offerings?

Head on over to here:

www.scalemates.com

Type in the Spitfire V in the search line. It will pull up all Spitfire V kits made by each manufacture. Some will have reviews links.

IMO, Tamiya and Eduard are the best.

Eduard has no V mark Spitfire - I'm not even sure they had announced any plans for one?

Tamiya's Vb has excellent fit, but there is some shape issues at the rear of the wing root, fuselage is also short and some extra girth.

For the Vc, Special Hobby is the only option, but this is a limited run injection style kit, so a lot attention must be spent on fit.  There is also a problem with the wing sitting too far back on the fuselage, and the fuselage itself being a tad short.

Alley Cat did make a couple Vc conversion wings for the new tooled Airfix Vb - best option right now?

regards,

Jack

Thanks for the info Jack. I must admit I was a little surprised when folk were recommending the Eduard kit. I didn't think they made a Mk V, however, my wife has one of their Aussie VIII duo combi packs complete with book tucked away for my birthday!! Having read a few reviews, it seems the new Airfix Vb is the way to go, with the Alley Cat wing conversion. Interesting that the Airfix model offers a Malta scheme. I wanted to do a Malta Spit, but was looking at the Special Hobby Vc. Might go for the Vb instead, and just do the RAAF Vc.

Thanks to all who offered assistance.

Chris