Spitfire Mk.IX

Italeri, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Italeri's 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.IX will be available online from Squadron

The new release of the Italeri Spitfire Mk. IX is in actual fact a re-release f the Ocidental kit. There are 66 grey injection moulded plastic parts and 8 clear parts in the kit and a huge decal sheet covering 6 different schemes.

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When this kit was first released under the Ocidental brand there were some concerns around the nose profile in particular the upper engine cowl. I placed the kit against the Aerodetail Mk. IX Spitfire plans and surprisingly the kit was very accurate in outline. The detail around the nose is fairly accurate with the main problems confined to the upper cowl. The nose pinches in too quickly at the front and the cowl is slightly wrong in profile in particular around the exhausts. The lower cowling curve is slightly out as well. I replaced the nose on the Ocidental kit a few years ago with a resin replacement and in comparing the two again I am not sure that the errors warrant replacement but this is a personal choice. The spinner is another major area of concern the kit spinner is totally the wrong shape. Replacement nose sections and spinners are available from Aeroclub and Ron’s Resin (available from Snowy Mountains Models).

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Both C and E wing cannon bulges are provided as is the early rounded style and later style broad cord rudders. Two types of carburettor intakes are provided as the schemes require different fits.

The canopies are moulded crystal clear and although a bubble canopy is provided the cut down rear fuselage is not. Other parts that can be consigned to the spares box are a bomb rack bombs and short cannon barrels. The cockpit detail is adequate but really does lack a bit detail when compared to the Hasegawa and Tamiya kits. I viewed the True details Mk V resin set and is an easy replacement although not entirely accurate for a Mk IX but relatively cheap. Other cockpit sets are available through Aires (Resin) and Eduard (etched Metal). The remaining detail in the kit is very good overall.

The fit of this kit, from memory, posed no problems at all and very little filler was used.

Decals are provided for six aircraft as follows:

1. Spitfire FR Mk. IX of No 16 Sqn RAF based in France in September 1944. This aircraft was finished in overall RAF PRU Pink.

2. Spitfire Mk. IX of the High Altitude Flight RAF based in Northolt in September 1944. This aircraft was finished in overall RAF PRU Blue.

3. Spitfire HF Mk. IXc of the No 32 Sqn RAF based in Foggia Italy in 1944. This aircraft was finished in Medium Sea Grey upper surfaces and RAF PRU Blue lower surfaces.

4. Spitfire LF Mk. IX flown by the RCAF Commanding Officer based at Tangmere in 1944. This aircraft was finished in Ocean Grey and Dark Green upper surfaces and Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces and has the black and white invasion stripes on the wings and fuselage.

5. Spitfire Mk. IX of the Armee de l’Air flown by C.G Cicogne based in Indochina in 1946. This aircraft was finished in Ocean Grey and Dark Green upper surfaces and Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces and has French National Markings.

6. Spitfire Mk. IX of the Aeronautica Militare Italiana 51 Stormo based at Treviso in 1947. This aircraft was finished in overall aluminium with a black anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit and has Italian National Markings.

The decals are crisp, accurate in colour and in register. My previous experience with Italeri decals is they have been a bit stiff and have not conformed well to the surface detail, but these look very good.

Recommended for all modellers of all ages and experience.

Thanks to Italeri for the review sample