Reviews : Airfix Supermarine Spitfire Mk I Aircraft

If you’re the leading British kit manufacturer - Airfix - and you’re recreating the UK’s favourite WWII aircraft - the Spitfire - in kit form, you better get it right. Thankfully Airfix does get the Spitfire Mk.Ia right. It’s simple enough to be an introductory kit for a youngster or novice modeler, but there’s enough to keep the seasoned modeler happy too. The panel lines are crisp and the decal set really gives the finished kit plenty of detail, even at 1/72 scale. BOTTOM LINE: It’s a Spitfire. Every modeler should make one at some point or keep one in their collection. NOTE: I’m an average skill modeler at best. Usually I leave non-permanent fixtures (bombs, drop tanks, etc.) off my kits because I’m interested in the airplane, not extraneous add-ons. I use the following for all my models • Harder & Steenbeck CRplus with a 0.2mm nozzle - it’s way above my ability level but was a birthday present from my wonderful partner • Vallejo Air and AMMO by Mig acrylic paints - I never use oil-based paints or washes because who needs the toxic fumes and cleanup chemicals • Walthers Solvaset to apply and set decals • EZ-Line Fine for rigging • Vallejo Mecha Satin Varnish to coat finished models - if you’ve ever seen a Spitfire or whatever in real life, they have a slight gloss to them and are not matte (personally I think matte painted kits look fake).

This kit is a great bang for your buck in terms of fit and ease of assembly. The parts needed minimal or no clean up, there were no fit issues, and the decals went down flawlessly. There is just enough detail on the sidewalls to keep detail painters busy, but not so much that its a chore. The instrument panel is a decal which is the only other downside to the kit (the first being the closed canopy only). This would be a great weekend build for a newcomer - or even an old salt. I had such a blast with this (as with all the new tool Airfix kits) that I would not hesitate to get another few to use with aftermarket detail sets and decals.

Fantastic model! Amazing detail, even breathtaking if I can be dramatic. The cockpit, for example, has minute little details that give it a crazy depth of realism for a 1/72 model. There's amazingly little flash on the sprues. Really I only had to do some minor trimming on the landing gear. The joints all fit perfectly. The decals were of top quality. This model is a real joy to build and a true value.

This kit was a joy to build. It went together well. I did find that following the instructions to the T would have caused me some grief. One of the underwing rondels covered the location of the pitot tube. There are small red square decal that cover the machine gun ports. Those were very difficult for me to get in place.

Hi, I have used this model as a base to recreate the Portuguese version that serviced on the Portuguese aeronautics. The model is really good, and full of details, the cockpit is really detailed for the scale. Lines are nice and not to deep. All together I strongly recommend this model

Nice details in 1/72 scale. Pleasantly surprised that the instrument cluster is a decal. I was wondering how I could paint the details, but now I don't need to. Easily fit together with just the right number of pieces.

Airfix did real good on this one. Fit, detail and decals are excellent. Gear up option. Possibly the best mk1 in this scale. Highly recommend!

One of the few kit I have built that gave me no problems whatsoever. Lovely detail and fit and no flash. I highly recommend this kit.