Global Scale Modeller

Hi Guys.
Just taken delivery of the Airfix Spitfire MK1 1:48 scale.
Re-tooled in 2015.
Airfix have really upped there game recently, their new tooled kits are exquisite, the quality of the material, the fine detail is excellent.
But!
Just discovered a very irritating flaw in this kit!
There is a single panel line in the top of the engine cowling that doesn't line up when the two fuselage sides are put together!
I would greatly appreciate any ideas from you guys on the best way to remedy this!

Many thanks in anticipation of your kind help.

I had the same problem on my Mk Vb - I believe it is the same basic tooling

I just filled the panel line with CA glue and filed back. I then used a razor saw to re-scribe the line

Many thanks. Sheppsea

Magpie2 wrote: Sun Jul 16, 2017 5:38 pm Hi Guys.
Just taken delivery of the Airfix Spitfire MK1 1:48 scale.
Re-tooled in 2015.
Airfix have really upped there game recently, their new tooled kits are exquisite, the quality of the material, the fine detail is excellent.
But!
Just discovered a very irritating flaw in this kit!
There is a single panel line in the top of the engine cowling that doesn't line up when the two fuselage sides are put together!
I would greatly appreciate any ideas from you guys on the best way to remedy this!

Many thanks in anticipation of your kind help.

I don't understand (and I've built the 1/48 Mk 1 Spit) what panel line you're referring to. I thought the Spit's upper cowling was a one piece job or am I missing something. I don't recall a panel line down the length of it at all.

I is confused - but them I am often confused

EDIT - just realised its the line across the cowl, not down it - ignore my query

Hi Stokesy.
Yes.
It's the panel line that runs laterally from Port to starboard at the front of the engine cowling.
I'm inclined to agree with you, that the cowling would be one piece of sheet metal!
More research needed here!
Thank you for your input.

Yeah I am pretty sure that there shouldn't be a line there at all. I cant find any photos of the MK I with a panel line there, the cowling is all one piece.


spiti-b, on Flickr

It looks like the cowling changed as the Spitfire grew up.

Here's a close up of a Mk2, definitely no panel line.

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/great-brita ... 10397g.png

BUT - here's a Mk5 cowling with the panel line.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... 285%29.jpg

The later Merlin engine Spits also have the line on the cowling.

I guess as the Spit got heavier and faster the cowl needed strengthening. Also, the Spits with the bigger (2 stage) Merlins didn't have any internal framing over the top of the engine that the cowling would have sat on.

I guess Airfix wanted to use the same moulds for all their Merlin Spits and this was an oversight.

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:40 pmI guess Airfix wanted to use the same moulds for all their Merlin Spits and this was an oversight.

That was my first thought as well when the subsequent Mk I photo was posted

At least it will be easier to rectify than having to rescribe after filling it

Many thanks. Guys
Much appreciated, especially the photos.
That rogue panel line is gonna disappear, me thinks !