Super review. I read it even though it's about quarter scale since the I is the version we long for in 1/32nd scale and hope the research that went into this kit will be scaled up to the larger size. The Tamiya Spitfire was the first of their "super detailed" kits in 32-scale, and since then those of us who build them have pretty much left Hasegawa behind (only Wingnut Wings can compare). So here's vote 4,385,215 for a 32-scale Battle of Britain Spitty.

Though 1/32-scale is the growing trend right now, there are still a vast number of guys such as myself, who are 1/4-scalers. The 1/72-scalers' numbers are even greater than the 1/4-scalers'. REVELL made a 1/32 Mk.I/Mk.II way back in the mid 1960s, but we can hardly expect this venerable kit to keep pace with the beautiful 1/32 aircraft kits we are seeing today.......

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Though 1/32-scale is the growing trend right now, there are still a vast number of guys such as myself, who are 1/4-scalers. The 1/72-scalers' numbers are even greater than the 1/4-scalers'. REVELL made a 1/32 Mk.I/Mk.II way back in the mid 1960s, but we can hardly expect this venerable kit to keep pace with the beautiful 1/32 aircraft kits we are seeing today.......

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I’d like to add my “two cents” worth here. Firstly, I want to state I’d be the first in line to buy a new Tamiya Mk1 Kit if and when it comes out. But, before we discount the 1969 release of Revell’s “venerable” 1/32 kit, we need to take a close look at it. It was accurate in shape and outline, had fabric covered flying surfaces with rib detail, and more importantly it had finely ENGRAVED and accurately detailed panel lines. It lacked an accurately detailed cockpit, engine, and landing gear, But, IMHO, it surpassed the current Revell, Hobby Boss, PCM, and other Spifires out there in regards to the outer skin, the exception being Tamiya’s Mk9 of course. So don’t discount this old kit until you take a look at the engraving. Couple the “old” Revell issue with the “guts” of the existing newer kits, and you can get a pretty nice looking Mk1 going.
VR, Russ

You've read too much into my comment. I wasn't trying to be "prickly" and I wasn't directing my comment at anyone. I was just saying for modelers in general not to "discount" the older kit just because it's "old", because it still has a lot to offer, and many younger modelers (younger than I am) don't realize the Revell 1/32 Spitfire, Tony, Frank, and Jack were some of the first kits to have beautifully engraved and accurate panel lines-- real mold maker works of art. The Japanese aircraft molds have been lost, making the kits collectors items, but the Spit can still be found-- usually dirt cheap because it's been "replaced" by more "modern" offerings. In fact, I believe the old kit is a work of art compared to Revell's latest 1/32 Spitfire MkII, which is covered in sunken rivet divots and wide panel lines despite "CAD" and "slide molding (although I am combining the nice interior of the new kit with the nice exterior of the old kit in my model). Just because an item is "new" does not mean it's "good", and just because an item is "old" does not mean it's "bad", and there are still old kits with plenty to offer (kinda like people I guess!). This was my point. We've kinda hijacked this thread, so we should probably get back on topic--and I'm glad to see Tamiya offering new items in any scale or genre-- you can usually count on them to do good work in either 1/48 or 1/32 scale. 😊
VR, Russ