Choosing a 1/32 spitfire kit

[Twokidsnosleep]

If one were to have a 1/32 Spitfire on the Christmas wish list, what would be a good kit choice?
I lean towards the Tamiya, but does Revell warrant a look?
I want an early version of the aircraft with the beautiful elliptical wings
Been researching, but would like to hear from peeps I trust
Scott

[sheppsea]

From what I have seen and read, Tamiya is the far superior kit and would just be a joy to build, but for the money they Revell builds up nicely

[Twokidsnosleep]

From what I have seen and read, Tamiya is the far superior kit and would just be a joy to build, but for the money they Revell builds up nicely

Bingo the exact dilemma
There is a 1/32 Revell Spit mkI for sale close to me for like $32..I think it is the 1970’s version
Cheap, but might be a big fight and low detail

Oh hell, Scalemates shows it is he same as the Seafire kit I have.
Maybe I should just build some stuff in my stash

..and I will get the Tamiya

[sheppsea]

There is a new(ish) tool Revell, if that makes a different? Its from 2014 I think

[Twokidsnosleep]

There is a new(ish) tool Revell, if that makes a different? Its from 2014 I think

Yes, that newer Revell version has quite a few good reviews and builds online.

Stupidly early on I decided to get all the retro 1/32 Revell kits of my favourite planes
P47 Thunderbolt
P40 Flying Tiger
Supermarine Seafire

I guess it was nostalgia and then reality came in to play as these newer Tamiya et al kits came out so much better engineered
I my do a sell off and upgrade
Thanks, you have been a great help

[Kevthemodeller]

Hi Scott go Tamiya the extra cost is well worth it. I looked at this very same issue earlier when building up my stash, yes Revell kits are substantially cheaper but like everything you get what you pay for, of course budgets paly a big part here and Tamiya are beyond many. That said and when looking at my Tamiya kit the quality is and the level of detail is superb I'd rather go without the 4 or so Revell kits to have the one Tamiya kit it's that good.

Alternatively there're other kits out there that sit in between Hasegawa, Hobby Boss, both I'd argue are better than Revell, but none of these come close to the Tamiya kit in my opinion.

[Johnj]

The Tamiya one is that good i bought a second one scott

[Twokidsnosleep]

I waited 24 hrs and the fever passed a bit.
I think I will scope out what my LHS has in stock as the box is so big, shipping cost becomes a factor
Thanks for the comments guys, Tamiya is highest on the list just need the right version

[BobM]

If you follow Will Pattison, he is currently building the Tamiya kit. Of course, if you know Will, he's going the extra 10 yards and super-detailing the cockpit.

[Kevthemodeller]

I've got this one Scott Spitfire it's in a smaller box than the P51D or the F4U-1A

[Willem]

Here is a thought; get both. Revell to practise on before hitting the Tamiya.

I've done the above and started the Revell mk II. Although it's stalled at the moment (along with everything buildwise) I aim to finish the Revell kit before tackling the Tamiya mk IX.

Weirdly this is all building up to the Fly Hurricane mk IID which apparently is a bit of a cow to get together. But my favourite hurricane.

Some day I will get the time

[Stokesy44]

Tamiya all day and every day, the engineering is astonishing. Just make sure you buy some after market decals as the kit ones are terrible.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I appreciate all of your inputs
Will, the old me would be all over buy them both...and I still might.
But the new me says I have enough to build already

David I will remeber the decal advice, thanks
Think I am going to let Christmas come and go and re-visit things in January

[Kevthemodeller]

Tamiya all day and every day, the engineering is astonishing. Just make sure you buy some after market decals as the kit ones are terrible.

Thanks for the info on the decals Dave do you have any recommendations?

[Twokidsnosleep]

I've got this one Scott Spitfire it's in a smaller box than the P51D or the F4U-1A

I have the Mustang and will probably join you in the other two...and maybe the mosquito

[Kevthemodeller]

I have the Mustang and will probably join you in the other two...and maybe the mosquito

These are for next year, with luck work will calm down for the first few months and I can get building

[Stokesy44]

Tamiya all day and every day, the engineering is astonishing. Just make sure you buy some after market decals as the kit ones are terrible.

Thanks for the info on the decals Dave do you have any recommendations?

Any decent set will do. The kit decals are truly awful. There’s loads to choose from depending on what you want to build.

[Stokesy44]

I have the Mustang and will probably join you in the other two...and maybe the mosquito

These are for next year, with luck work will calm down for the first few months and I can get building

The Mustang is a truly awesome kit, its even better than the Spit because you can see more when its buttoned up. Straight out of the box its a winner, just get new decals (again, same problem as the Spit).

I have the Corsair, which is apparently better than both , and the Mossie (with two, yes TWO fully detailed Merlins!). Got it at a show for £100, bargain.

And I'm ashamed to admit it, I have the Spit IX and I went mental with aftermarket resin for the cockpit, PE and resin Rolls Royce rocker covers for the engine, and of course, new decals.

[Kevthemodeller]

And I'm ashamed to admit it, I have the Spit IX and I went mental with aftermarket resin for the cockpit, PE and resin Rolls Royce rocker covers for the engine, and of course, new decals.

Is the PE worth it? I'm really dubious about PE now as most of it is a waste of effort as it's not seen on the completed model, or is little improvement over what's already there.

[Stokesy44]

And I'm ashamed to admit it, I have the Spit IX and I went mental with aftermarket resin for the cockpit, PE and resin Rolls Royce rocker covers for the engine, and of course, new decals.

Is the PE worth it? I'm really dubious about PE now as most of it is a waste of effort as it's not seen on the completed model, or is little improvement over what's already there.

Its the kind of set where the best thing to do is pick and choose what you use. There's some really nice stuff which will add to the kit but also some tiny nonsense I wouldn't touch as its a waste of time. The ignition harnesses look good and there's a whole lot of anti vibration plates that go all over the engine mount and look beautiful. Whether I can make a good job of it is another matter though.

[Kevthemodeller]

Which PE did you go for?

[Stokesy44]

Which PE did you go for?

It was the engine interior set, nothing for the cockpit, just a sheet of stuff for the engine, mount and firewall.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Which PE did you go for?

It was the engine interior set, nothing for the cockpit, just a sheet of stuff for the engine, mount and firewall.

I Pe sitting down.
At my age you never know what is going to happen

[digger303]

Which PE did you go for?

It was the engine interior set, nothing for the cockpit, just a sheet of stuff for the engine, mount and firewall.

I Pe sitting down.
At my age you never know what is going to happen

TIP......Go easy on the rum and the room won't spin as much

[Stokesy44]

Which PE did you go for?

It was the engine interior set, nothing for the cockpit, just a sheet of stuff for the engine, mount and firewall.

I Pe sitting down.
At my age you never know what is going to happen

Lol - I think?

[Tomcat64]

It was the engine interior set, nothing for the cockpit, just a sheet of stuff for the engine, mount and firewall.

I Pe sitting down.
At my age you never know what is going to happen

TIP......Go easy on the rum and the room won't spin as much

You know you're really in trouble when you're laying on the floor and still have to hold on to stop falling off!

[digger303]

I Pe sitting down.
At my age you never know what is going to happen

TIP......Go easy on the rum and the room won't spin as much

You know you're really in trouble when you're laying on the floor and still have to hold on to stop falling off!

[Tomcat64]

TIP......Go easy on the rum and the room won't spin as much

You know you're really in trouble when you're laying on the floor and still have to hold on to stop falling off!

[Twokidsnosleep]

I had the 1/32 Spit and the Corsair birdcage in my hot little hands today at the LHS, but just couldn’t buy
I have too many damn kits
But those and the mossie are what I think I want later for retirement building so may start selling off some stash
There is a swap meet locally in May that had some good deals, so will wait until then

[digger303]

I had the 1/32 Spit and the Corsair birdcage in my hot little hands today at the LHS, but just couldn’t buy
I have too many damn kits
But those and the mossie are what I think I want later for retirement building so may start selling off some stash
There is a swap meet locally in May that had some good deals, so will wait until then

Corsair birdcage ...man oh man I want one of those. I had the opportunity on a bubble top only last week ( second hand $100 ), but too many kits and I really want a birdcage version. Das Werk have also just released a tank transporter early to mid WW2 and that's really nice too. On the wish list only a matter of time before I talk myself into it.... Fits together like a Tamiya.