Master modeller Roy Sutherland has returned to the Spitfire for his latest batch of 1:32 BarracudaCast releases.

Item #BR32008 – Starboard Cockpit Sidewall. This set is designed to upgrade the Tamiya Mks. VIII, IX and XVI, but could be adapted to fit models produced by other manufacturers with a little care.

The set contains just 3 resin parts, but this is very much a case of quality, not quantity. The main piece replaces the front section of Tamiya Part F26, and the improvement is quite dramatic with the various control boxes now fully wired and plumbed up. The casting is absolutely perfect in the review example, with no flash or other flaws and even the smallest details pin-sharp.

Two smaller items are also included: a cover for the IFF units, and a remote contactor which fits under the windscreen in an earea left blank by Tamiya.

Fitting the main section of upgrade should be quite straightforward, but it does require removing some of the original moulded sidewall detail, so you'll want to take care – it's an expensive kit you're working on!

The set includes an excellent sheet of instructions, with a step by step written guide backed up by colour photographs which leave little room for confusion.

Items BR32009 and BR32010 – Treaded Mainwheels. The two sets contain 5- and 4-slot mainwheels respectively, and both feature the treaded tyres worn by Australian Spitfire Mks. V and VIII. In each case the casting is once again flawless, with beautiful detail on the hubs and treads. The new mainwheels are appropriate for Hasegawa, PCM, Tamiya and Trumpeter kits, and are cast subtly "weighted", requiring minimal clean-up before use. There are no seams to take care of and, in where they replace rubber kit tyres, there's no worry about them attracting dust.

conclusion

The latest BarracudaCast sets from Roy Sutherland are well up to the impeccable standard which he set with his initial Detail Sets for the Tamiya Spitfire series. Recommended without hesitation.

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