Steve Budd lands a cutting-edge, large-scale Airfix gem in the form of Supermarine’s svelte Spitfire Mk.IXc
To my mind, of all modelling subjects, none produces quite the same white-knuckle, rollercoaster ride of public expectation than a new Spitfire. This aero legend’s graceful, flowing and often subtle compound curves combine into a quintessentially and uniquely British design that has always been a challenge to capture accurately in plastic. Now, after the official announcement at Duxford earlier this year, Airfix has its latest 1/24 scale ‘Superkit’ ready for general release.
Spoiler alert: it was the cockpit. Airfix supplies two instrument panels in clear plastic, one with plain dials for decals and the other for those who would prefer to paint raised details. I chose the former and, as kit decals were not available at this point in the build (Step 15), I fell back on the newly revised Airscale 1/24 Royal Air Force Instrument Dial Decals (AS24) set kindly sent to me by Peter Castle. These were added to the panel, previously base-coated in
