Eduard

1/48 Spitfire Mk.22/Mk.24, Limited Edition

Kit Number: 1121

Reviewed by  Chris Durden, IPMS# 29474

MSRP: $54.95 Web Site: www.eduard.cz This is the second 'enhanced' version of the original Airfix release that Eduard has offered. Aside from the original kit parts, this version includes 20 resin detail pieces, a fret of color PE and a small sheet of kabuki tape pre-cut masks (and why do they call it kabuki tape anyway? Is it because of the grimace that most modelers make as they slowly peel away the masking material, hopefully to reveal a perfect paint job - but I digress…). Decals provide 4 versions, including a very attractive racing Mk. 22 that I don't believe has been offered before in a kit or aftermarket decal. Most of the resin and PE parts will go into the cockpit. The resin is beautifully cast with incredibly crisp detail and no air bubbles. The PE sheet includes a choice of instrument panel for the Mk. 22 or Mk. 24 as well as a pair of scribing templates - more on them later. For comparison I have pulled an Airfix kit out of the plastic vault and I will build a stock cockpit concurrently (nothing up my sleeve folks….).

To be different, I decided to start assembly with the cockpit. The attachment points on the resin pieces are quite robust, be prepared to take time here to carefully remove the parts without damaging them. Part 14 was especially difficult and after breaking it into 4 pieces I decided to replace it with some wire. I also had to thin the kit parts considerably to get the resin parts to fit correctly. Once I was satisfied with the dry fit of the parts I primed and painted them. The detail literally pops out, making it very easy to paint. I decided to paint everything first and then add the PE parts. There weren't that many to add, they fit well and add a considerable amount to the 'busy' cockpit. My only critique is that so much of the excellent detail will not be visible once the fuselage is buttoned up! Be sure to use the correct instrument panel depending on the version that you will be building. Some side by side comparisons show that the stock parts, while adequate, do not compare with the fine detail of the resin cockpit. One item that I was surprised that Eduard did not include was a vacu-formed canopy since the kit supplied canopy is too thick to be positioned open - luckily I already had one.

Once the fuselage was assembled I made use of one of the included templates to reposition the radio compartment door as I was building the Mk. 22. After some filler on the existing door, scribing the replacement was made simple by the perfectly sized template. I also decided to use the second template for the wings at this time. As has been discussed ad nauseum on various internet discussion groups, Spitfires always had their flaps in the 'up' position while on the ground - which makes the decision by Airfix to mold the kit with the flaps separate curious at best. If you model the flaps closed as I did, Eduard has provided a small template to scribe the outline of the small actuator panel on the upper surface of the wing (the kit has the panels molded open, which means a bit of scraping will be in order). Once I was done, I saved both templates for future use with the several Spitfire kits in the vault awaiting assembly.

PE details were added to the tail wheel doors, headrest and radiators (which took some trimming to have them fit correctly, probably builder induced error). Pay attention to the landing gear and the instructions - the instructions would have you place the 'scissors' facing forward in the main gear. That is incorrect as the Mk. 22/24 had the 'scissors' behind the strut. I also added brake lines as well at this time to the LG door. I did not use the PE supplied shell deflectors as they would be correct only on a rocket equipped Mk. 24 - the deflectors kept expended shells from bouncing off of the rockets. I did prep the resin wheel replacements that are correct for the Mk. 22 version that I was doing. The rest of assembly went off without a hitch, except for one of those really annoying seams that keeps coming back uninvited like Marley's ghost at Christmas. Once wrestled into submission, I proceeded on to painting.

Out of the 4 decal versions, 2 have to be considered modeling 'clichés': the b/w striped W2*T of no. 80 squadron and a silver machine of no. 603 squadron. However, the no. 607 Cooper Trophy race markings are quite nice and have not been offered previously. My choice was the Mk. 22 in Syrian Air Force markings - mainly because I have always been partial to a desert camouflage on a Spitfire. Model Master Paints were used throughout, thinned heavily to build up a faded look over the black primer sprayed on the model. After painting came the decals, which were thin, in register and settled down quite easily. However, be aware that these decals are "grabby" and adhere ultra fast! Once the decals had dried I shot a thin coat of future over the decals and began a wash. This was the first time I used Promodeler washes and I am absolutely hooked. The wash went on with no problem and made added a nice touch to the model.

Assembly of all of the component parts went faster than I anticipated with the exception of the spinner. I had to cut the locating pins off of the props to get the blades to fit correctly, once I made that adjustment, the spinner assembly went together with a minimum of fuss. I did some light pastel work as I did not want to overdo the weathering.

Overall this Eduard boxing of the Mk. 22/24 is a nice value for the money with just the right amount of enhancements. My only quibble would be that they should have included a vacu-formed canopy - but that is a minor point given the fit and finish of everything else! My thanks to Eduard for the review sample.

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