A brief roundup of various Spitfire kits released over the years.
1/144th Scale
Crown/Otaki (and others)
Spitfire MkVB
Eduard
Spitfire MKIX
1/72nd Scale
Airfix
1st generation
Spitfire Mk1 BT-K
The original Airfix Spitfire kit was their first plastic model. I have never seen one. Based on a modified Aurora kit. Airfix, in 2005 released a commemorative kit of their Spitfire Mk1 u=in the same shade of blue plastic and markings.
Spitfire MkIX
I believe that the above kit was modified into this version. In any case for many years this, and the original Revell MkIIa were the only Spitfire kits around. I wanted one for many years. Rivets, solid wings, although with wheel wells in them. Basic L-shaped seat. This kit was still in production into the mid 2000’s and in recent releases has quite a decent decal sheet included for Johnny Johnson.
2nd generation
Spitfire MkVB
When released this kit was a revelation. First kit with the gullwing included. Basic cockpit with gunsight, raised panel lines (very fine) and some engraved panel lines (engine) which are a bit heavy. Very accurate outline (more so than many of the later kits) Can be built into an excellent replica. Ailerons were inaccurate as the upper chord was identical to the underside. Not a major issue to rectify. Open wheel wells.
Spitfire MkI
Based on the above kit with new wings. Still classed as the most accurate Spitfire in this scale.
Spitfire MkVC
Based on the VB with new wings to depict the "C"-wing option. These new parts were rather a disappoint when compared to the originals being very thick and heavily moulded. As the fuselage was the standard MkVB kit the canopy is inaccurate. But with work they can be used. The new wing has wheel well detail included.
3rd Generation
Spitfire Mk1/IIa/Va
Spitfire MkVC
Spitfire MkIXC
Spitfire PRXIX
Spitfire Mk22
Eduard
Spitfire VIII/IXC (both early and late)/IXE/XVI
Heller
Spitfire MkI
Underscale at around 1/76th scale. Light rivets and open wheel wells. Thick canopies and no gull wing. But there was a cockpit including an instrument panel.
MkVB
No gullwing, raised details. Cockpit detail supplied. Very nice Vokes filter included.
Spitfire MkXVI
Superb little kit from Heller. Enclosed wheel wells reasonable cockpit. Raised panel lines. Large chord rudder slightly off (needs more with near the top) and most importantly the gullwing is present
Frog
Spitfire MkI/Va
Thin solid wings without any wheel wells. This kit introduced me to stencil details on the decal sheet
Spitfire MkVIII/IX
Typical mid-production Frog kit. Thick canopies and open wheel wells. Included the wide chord rudder. No gull wing
Spitfire MkXIV
Typical mid-production Frog kit. Thick canopies and open wheel wells. No gull wing. But it was a Griffon engined variant
Revell
Spitfire MkIIa
Old kit, no gullwing had a basic cockpit, Funny thing is the seat was moulded with footboards attached Rivets, the original release had a sliding canopy.
Spitfire MkVB
Released at the same time as a quartet of other kits this was possibly the worst of the batch, Mine was a dark chocolate brown in colour with scribed detail and cockpit detail, BUT no gullwing. What a letdown for a kit in the late 1990's
Italeri
Spitfire MkVB
Spitfire MkIX
SMER
Spitfire MkVI
Heller kit MkVB with resin parts to build a MkVI. Buy it for the resin and dispose of the rest
KP
Spitfire MkIXE
Raised panel lines and rivets. Some attempt at the gull wing but not pronounced enough. Poor canopy.
Spitfire MkIXC
Not seen this kit as yet.
Matchbox
Spitfire MkIX
No gullwing and thick canopy. Very basic details, but at the time light years ahead of the 1st generation Airfix kit.
Spitfire MKXVI/IX
Upgrade on the above kit which gave the option to build a low back version as well.
Ventura
Spitfire MkVII/VIII/IX/XIV/PR19
Very fine scribed lines but mouldings, being limited run are very heavy with thick flow lines in the inner surfaces. Very hard plastic, almost impervious to normal glues. Basic cockpit.
Academy
Spitfire MkXIVC
Like most of te early Academy kits this seems to be based on the original Frog kit. Scribed panel lines, prop a bit small.
Fujimi
Spitfire MkXIV/XVIII/PRXIX
MPM
Spitfire PRXI
Special Hobby
Spitfire PRX
Eduard
Spitfire Mk21
Spitfire MkVIII, FIX, IXC (early and late) IXE, XVI
Airkit
Spitfire Mk21
Spitfire Mk24
Tamiya
Spitfire MkI
Tamiya know how to engineer a kit. Based on the 48th scale kits with all the good and bad points. Some minor outline inaccuracies in wing shape and engine cowling but assembly is a breeze.
Spitfire MkVB
Tamiya know how to engineer a kit. Based on the 48th scale kits with
all the good and bad points. Some minor outline inaccuracies in wing
shape and engine cowling but assembly is a breeze
1/48th Scale
Revell
Spitfire MkIIa
Airfix
1st generation
Spitfire MkVB
Spitfire MkVC
Spitfire MkIXe
Spitfire MkXVI
2nd Generation
Spitfire Mk22/24/Seafire FR47
Superb kits, finely scribed panel lines, possibly the only letdown being the cockpit canopy shape, easily replaced if it’s an issue.
3rd Generation
Spitfire Mk1/IIa/Va (kit A05115 (A), A050030)
Spitfire MkVC
Spitfire Mk1A (kit number A05126)
Not satisfied with their first attempt Airfix based on the MkVC kit. More than double the parts count of the first release. Contains both thye armoured and unarmoured fuel tank.
Seafire FR XVII
Spitfire FR XIVE
Spitfire Fr XVIII
Spitfire MkXII
Spitfire PRXIX
Academy
Spitfire MkXiVC and E
Unfrotunately these kits have a bloated fuselage.
Eduard
Spitfire MkI/II/IIb/VB/VC/VIII/IXC (Both Early and late)/IXE/XVI
Otaki (Also released by ARII/Airfix/Matchbox)
Spitfire MkVIII
Basic outlines are pretty good for a kit that is around 30 years old. No gullwing and cockpit is a bit basic. Aeroclub make a gull wing insert to overcome this deficiency.
Fujimi
Spitfire MkVB
My recollections of this kit was that it is underscale. Long time since I had mine
ICM
Spitfire MkVII/VIII/IX/XVI
Multi variant kit. Some QA issues with first releases with heavy sink marks. Now mostly corrected (although wheels still tend to exhibit them) Nice scribed details and the gullwing is there. Good cockpit. Fit, due to engine parts, can be difficult. The finer details between the various marks are not catered for.
Hasegawa
Spitfire MkVb
Very nice kit, maybe a little too fine.
Spitfire Mk VI
This is the MkVB kit with additional parts to represent a MkVII.
Spitfire MkVIII/IX (also released under the Revell labelled as a Spitfire MkIX/XVI
This kit was a disappointment when released with a major fuselage shape issue. What a pity as the mouldings and details included are absolutely superb. Aeroclub have come to the rescue with a corrected replacement
Occidental (released by MPM (MkIX) and now by Italeri (both versions)
Spitfire MkIX
Spitfire MkXVI
Hobbycraft
Spitfire MkVB
I think this was based on the Fujimi kit with some of the Airfix thrown in (cockpit detail). Whatever, it was no improvement over any other kit at the time, so I never bothered with it. Not worthwhile
Spitfire MkXIV
My recollection is that the Airfix Spitfire VB has a definite influence on this kit. Don't remember much
Seafire MkXV
A Seafire makes a change. My recollection is that the Airfix Spitfire VB has a definite influence on this kit. Don't remember much else
Tamiya
Spitfire MkI (kit number.
Tamiya know how to engineer a kit. Some minor outline inaccuracies in wing shape and engine cowling but assembly is a breeze. Now replaced by kit number
Spitfire MkVB
Tamiya know how to engineer a kit. Some minor outline inaccuracies in wing shape and engine cowling but assembly is a breeze Sailor Malan's markings included as an option. My opinion these markings were on a Spitfire MkIX.
Spitfire MkI (kit number)
Tamiya retooled their Spitfire Mk1 kit correcting the wing shape error. Simple easy construction from this well engineered (like all Tamiya kits) but details superb.
Gartex
Spitfire MkVC
Floatplane Spitfire
These are Hasegawa MkV's with resin and white metal parts to convert them to other versions. Expensive
1/32nd SCALE
Revell
Spitfire MkI
No gullwing, raised details, typical of the time
Seafire MkV
Modified Mk1 kit
Hasegawa
Spifire MkVB
Great golden oldie. Can still hold its head high. Raised panel lines, well detailed cockpit
Spitfire MkI
New prop and new wings added to the base Spitfire MkVB kit
Spitfire MkVa/ Spitfire Mk IIB
Hasegawa now playing mix and match with their components.
Kotare
Spitfire MkI (early and mid-production)
Extremely well researched and detailed kits. All the fine nuances between the various early and mid production MkI;s are depicted, right down to the cockpit differences.
Also announced is a Spitfire MkVa.
Tamiya
Spitfire MKIXC/IXE/VII and XVI
Box full of bits, superb mouldings
PCM
Spitfrire MKIXE and IXC
"Limited run" kits, yeah but high quality. Contains photo-etched and resin parts.
Spitfire MKXIV
Ubfortunately I have not been able to lay my hands on one of these. Would love to though.
1/24th SCALE
Airfix
Spitfire Mk1a
The granddaddy of all the large-scale kits. As a youngster back in 1970 (when this kit was released), this was the kit to get. With additional work a great result can be achieved.
Spitfire MkVb
This is the Mk1a kit updated with new wings and prop
Spitfire MkIXC
Absolutey superb kit, well detailed and accurate. Will be show stopper.
Spitfire MKVIII
No, not a warmed over MkIX but entirely new tool wings to depict the changes that the MkVIII had.
Trumpeter
Spitfire MkVb
This kit has had negative reviews on the internet due to shape issues around the cowling area. Probably not as bad as it is made out to be.
Floatplane Spitfire
Based on the MkVB kit.
