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Preview: Eduard's Spitfire IX

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the kit
The new Spitfire Mk. IX 1/48 scale kit from Eduard should hit the shelves soon. The kit is intended for April and test shots were presented at the last Toy Fair in Nuremberg and happily distributed to the specialized press.

After failed attempts from several manufacturers, will we finally see a reproduction worthy of the name at this scale of one of the most iconic versions of the famous British fighter? In view of the sprues already finalized, the answer seems to be definitely yes since Eduard offers the same level of finish as on its last models, including the MiG-21 and the Bf 109E. If the shapes and dimensions are correct, it will certainly be the best model of this important variant in 1/48 scale.

The first release will be a "Profipack" boxing with photo etched parts, masks and decals for four paint shemes. Icing on the cake are the numerous options provided with the kit (see accompanying pictures) and the fact that the plastic parts have been designed to receive later Brassin parts to enhance the level of detail. A "Royal Class" boxing is also in preparation. It will include two complete kits and several bonuses. Certainly it will be a great collector item. You just can't have too many Spitfires!
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About the Author

About Jean-Luc Formery (TedMamere)
FROM: MOSELLE, FRANCE

I'm mainly interested in WW2 aircraft and I build them in 1/48 scale.


Comments

Hi Rowan, I have participated to the discussions and I didn't copied it sadly... But it was nice to chat with M. Sulc and M. Havranek and they allowed the participants to ask questions non related to the Spitfire as well. So in the end it was a little bit confusing. I regret not to have copied the complete list of Spitfire variants and Brassin items they have planned to release. Jean-Luc
MAR 04, 2013 - 07:53 PM
Hi Jean-Luc Too bad. Hopefully there's an "early" u/c version planned though? All the best Rowan
MAR 04, 2013 - 08:56 PM
Never seen the point of trying to establish a kits accuracy by comparing it to another kit, but each to thier own I guess!
MAR 04, 2013 - 11:49 PM
Hi Rowan, Libor from Eduard (Thanks again!) has posted the content of the live chat here... - Chat session log from 3rd March 2013 Enjoy... Jean-Luc
MAR 05, 2013 - 12:09 AM
Cheers Jean-Luc Nice to see my question cropped up near the beginning of the session. All the best Rowan
MAR 05, 2013 - 10:06 PM
Why make comparisons at slanted angles, when straight-on can be found? This is a rough replication of this shape on the Eduard wheel well: I would consider good enough to use as a reference to correct the Eduard kit (maybe a little too much oval, and preferrably sized to match the kit wheel rather than just to match my drawing): It is doeable but a bit harder than I expected. The Eduard lit is definitely off in this area, no matter what they claim (and I still think highly of it!): Again, the ICM "knock-knee" is also vs real pictures, but pointed out by others. The 1.5 mm longer chord of the Airfix Mk XII (vs Hasegawa and ICM) is a less certain issue, but I lean (slightly) towards it being correct after comparing to pictures, despite the position of the trailing edge root on the Airfix Mk XII being slightly too far back by this same amount compared to the pilot's seat rear bulkhead: I took pictures of my museum's Mk IX, and there is no doubt Airfix were right to move the PR XIX's trailing edge slightly forward. That being said, the Airfix Mk XII's trailing edge position is nowhere near as bad as that of the Special Hobby and Tamiya Spitfires, which put it in the middle of the perspex... As for the wing chord, I will build two Spits, so at least one will be closer! Gaston
MAR 16, 2013 - 11:53 AM
Gaston, for pity's sake, stop treating the members of this forum as if they lack sufficient brain cells to see (and decide) something for themselves, and throw your bloody red pen in the bin.
MAR 16, 2013 - 08:35 PM
I didn't realise that Foo lived in the Spitfire wheel well
MAR 17, 2013 - 01:05 AM
Oh dear, yet another kit that should never have seen the light of day. How could Eduard release it with so many fatal flaws? Gaston, please just enjoy this kit for what it is.......a damn good effort at a Spitfire Mk IX. Damian, I think Foo is 2mm too far to the right....
MAR 17, 2013 - 09:13 PM
No, it's just the angle of the shot, it's definitely not perfectly square-on to the camera. Cheers, D
MAR 17, 2013 - 10:47 PM