1:48 Spitfire Mk.I

The real subject

The Spitfire Mk.I is the first production version of the British fighter, the one with which the squadrons entered the Second World War. Compared with the later versions it has a smoother and cleaner shape: a shorter nose, the elliptical wing with no clipped tips and simpler equipment. The early version tends to be the most rewarding for modelers, because the shapes that later rebuilds and add-on equipment covered up stand out on it.

What the set contains

A photo-etched metal fret in 1:48 scale worked out for a model of the Spitfire. Photo-etching makes it possible to produce parts in a thickness the plastic parts from a kit cannot reach, so it suits thin panels, frames, belts and fine bracing. The manufacturer's instructions give the extent of the fret and the kit it is worked out for.

Building and painting tips

• cut the parts off the fret with a sharp blade on a hard surface; do not snap them out
• true the remains of the tab after cutting with a file or abrasive paper
• make the bends along the scored lines over a straight edge, slowly and along the whole length
• it is glued with cyanoacrylate metered out on a pin or a piece of wire
• before painting, wash and degrease the metal and lay a thin coat of primer under the paint

Who it is for

The set is intended for modelers who want to take the detail of an early-version Spitfire in 1:48 scale beyond the parts from the kit. Work with tweezers and over a tray, as the parts are small. The kit of the aircraft, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.