Pavla's latest release in their ever expanding range of resin and vac formed improvement sets is designed for the Airfix Spitfire Mk I. Included with this release are two types of canopy. Pavla have found a real niche creating improvement and conversion sets for mainstream kits. This improvement set replaces some of the less convincing parts of the of the Airfix kit.

Contents.

The contents come in a small resealable bag and contains:
2 x vac formed canopies. Both have the blown canopies, but one has the representation of the small opening hatch on the port side of the canopy.
2 x fishtail exhausts.
1 x carburettor air intake.
1 x oil cooler.
1 x resin infill for the recess where the oil cooler goes.
1 x radiator, with separate flap.
2 x main wheels.

The vac formed canopies are far superior to the kit ones. There is plenty of plastic between the three elements that make up the windscreen, canopy and rear glazing. One of the Mk I canopies has the hatch marked on the port side, absolutely amazing. Both canopies have armoured windscreens. The frame work is very well defined. Obviously great care will be needed to separate the components when cutting. As they are the canopies feel pretty strong, but once cut into they will need some support on the inside. Not an item to rush and use a fresh surgical blade. But they will improve the look of your Airfix Spitfire no end.
The fishtail exhausts look very good. The exhaust outlets are hollow. They are not just drilled out but the shape of the outlet is slightly flattened just like the real thing. The carburettor air intake looks a much better shape than the kits. The inlet is hollowed out. The oil cooler that goes under the port wing has the intake and outlet drilled out. There are also some very fine panel lines. There is a very thin resin insert that goes into the recess on the kit under wing surface, where the kit oil cooler goes. The Pavla radiator replaces the rather unconvincing kit part. It comes with separate flap so you have the choice of displaying it open or closed. There are some very fine recessed panel lines on the radiator. The five spoke wheels are beautifully cast, the six nuts on the reverse side of the wheels are nicely represented.

Conclusion.

Well Pavla have done it again, producing a tremendous detail set for this popular kit. The kit has had some generally very good reviews and these parts that come with this set will improve the look of the Airfix kit no end. Nice one Pavla.