Global Scale Modeller

Eduard Spitfire MK IXc late

Right then, I am hoping this is going to be a good quality, simple build to get me out of a period of building doldrums I am currently stuck in with my Dragon Wagon diorama build. I tried to rekindle things by building my Eduard "Jugs Over Italy" P-47 Thunderbolt.

Alas that kit is rubbish and the build can be found elsewhere in the forum.

This is by all accounts "the" Mk IX Spitfire to build, its not a re-box of another kit but Eduard's own kit researched and designed from scratch. Initial reviews and magazine articles sound promising and a quick look at the instructions show it to be very thorough in build.

Here is the shot of the box art, a nice evoking image of this iconic WW2 aircraft.


Unfortunately once I opened the box the parts started jumping out at me and started building themselves so I forgot to take any sprue photos. By the time I realised I hadn't taken any photos I was at this stage!





It's basically the port and starboard inner cockpit sides, with the bulkheads aft of the pilot's seat and instrument panel bulkhead, the fit on this kit is truly staggering, there is hardly any clean up required and everything just fits, no drama, no hassle, just fits, well done Eduard.


The inclusion of some P/E for the armour plating is a nice touch, along with the standard Eduard fare of P/E instrument panel and harness.

Next up was the pilot's seat, very detailed, incredibly well engineered for something so delicate, I love that the seat is made up of 4 separate pieces (two side frames, a combined base and back and then a bolt plate along the front edge) with a piece of armour plate behind.




Next up was the walls of the undercarriage wheel wells, 7 pieces per side, but again, there were no issues whatsoever. I can't get over how easy this kit is to build. Don't get me wrong, its not a kit aimed for a first timer but someone with a few decent kit builds under their belt could get a decent finish from it.


Next up was a coat of primer, Badger Stylenrez black (sp?), great primer, absolutely bombproof stuff






I am building this out of the box, so I have followed the colour call outs from the instructions which means H312 for the cockpit interior







I sprayed the interior colour with my trusty H&S Evolution, thinned with Ultimate thinner, to a ratio of.....add a splash of thinner into the colour cup, chuck in some paint and try it, if it works, cool, if it whistles, add more thinner until it works. I think the colour is a bit bright for RAF interior green, but it will do. I need to pick the details out now, which I will do with Vallejo Model Colour matched to the colour call outs in the instructions before giving it some chipping, gloss coat and wash before closure.

Hopefully this will go without issue but check back later to find out.

Thanks for looking, constructive criticism and feedback welcomed.
Cheers
Chris

Got this in the stash.

Looking great so far, Chris.

I built this kit a few years ago for the D-day GB on here and loved every moment of it. So much so that I immediately ordered another kit for the stash.

I hope it drags you out of the building doldrums.

A quick update, the pin wash has gone on following a gloss coat and then a matt coat after the pin wash.





Next up came the joining of the three separate parts that form the cockpit, again, faultless fitting, ready to go into the fuselage halves.

The keen eyes among you will notice the rudder pedals are missing, that is because these need to be fitted after the control panel bulkhead has been fitted over the floor piece. These will be fitted tonight when I finish work (2am) ready to join everything.

I can't believe how quick (for me anyway) this kit is going together it's really good.






Thanks for looking, constructive criticism and feedback welcomed.
Cheers
Chris

Hey guys,

So the cockpit went into the fuselage without any problems and everything buttoned easily



Eduard have really gone to town with this kit, the exhaust for example are made up of 4, yes 4! separate pieces but the moulding is beautiful and crisp


These were really delicate so we're put to one side whilst I built the wings



Those pegs I got from a "pound" shop and have rubber jaws so grip the plastic really well.

Weirdly, Eduard have chosen to mould the engine top cover in two pieces, I had no idea why until the day after I'd glued the exhausts and top cover on (whilst watching KH)


The day after fitting I found out Eduard have released a single piece casting engine top cover in their Brassin range, so maybe hoping people will buy this instead of using the two piece kit parts.
There's nothing wrong with the kit parts but just makes extra work sanding the seam and filling etc when it could have been moulded in one piece. If this is the only gripe with this kit it's fine by me.

Next up was joining the fuse to the wings and fitting the horizontal stabilisers




Again Eduard have gone to town and provided two options for the tail wheel (possibly the smallest part of the kit!), a single moulded piece or a 3 piece option. I chose the 3 piecer and with careful application of TET it will still rotate

Rudder control linkage is a separate item and is a little short but it's ok


Ailerons and Hispano's fitted and time for Mr Surfacer 1000 to deal with the slight seams, mainly my own fault, but an evenings work sorted them out.

A few small other items and sundries built, radiators and undercarriage, spinner etc and then it's ready for priming



Primed and ready for pre shading



Thanks for looking, constructive criticism and feedback welcomed.
Cheers
Chris

Looking great Chris.

Coming along nicely!