1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia (ProfiPACK)

The real subject

The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the best known fighters of the Second World War and you will recognize it by the elliptical wing that gave it an unmistakable silhouette. The early Mk.Ia version carried eight 7.7mm machine guns in the wings and the power came from a Rolls-Royce Merlin V12. It was with these machines that the British squadrons entered the fighting of 1940, so the model fits any collection devoted to the start of the war.

What kind of kit this is

The product is supplied as a set of parts to be assembled and painted, that is as a classic kit in 1:72 scale. The ProfiPACK designation in the name tells the edition apart in the manufacturer's range; what exactly the box contains and which finishes the instructions offer is stated by the manufacturer in the enclosed material. Before building it pays to go through the instructions in full, so you know which parts belong inside the fuselage before it is closed.

Building and painting tips

Working from the back forwards proves itself: first the cockpit and everything that will only be visible through the glazing once the fuselage is closed, then the fuselage and wing joints. Separate the parts with nippers a little away from the part and sand the remainder off, so as not to damage the edge. Mask the glazing before spraying, not after the paint has dried. Apply the paint in thin coats and let the model dry properly between them.

Who it is for

The model suits modelers who like a small scale and want to build a Spitfire without extensive reworking. Paints, glue and tools are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.