Airfix Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.IXc 1/24 Scale A17001 Unboxing – Part 1

David will start this series by doing an unboxing of this large kit- the Airfix Supermarine Spitfire F – Item 17001

Being one of the most famous and beloved fighter planes ever produced, the Supermarine Spitfire and all of it’s twenty four variants have been well represented in scale modelling for decades. That being said, it is hard to turn heads when a new tool Spitfire kit is announced, but Airfix gave it a go and their work is commendable.

Airfix’s new 1/24 scale Spitfire Mk.IXc was announced in January 2022 and was released in the UK in November, then the rest of the world soon after. Airfix categorizes this kit as a level 4 which is in fact their highest difficulty level. The kit includes 433 total parts, 413 injection moulded plastic and 23 clear parts on 12 sprues as well as 1 large decal sheet with options for five different markings. When completed the model will span 469mm wingtip to wingtip, 397mm in length, and 150mm in height demanding a shelf all to itself.

You’ll open the box to find the first two sprues housing the upper and lower halves of the wings and the surface detail is exquisite. Usually Airfix kits tend to have exaggerated panel lines for their scale but in this case all the recessed panels and rivets are true to scale. The next sprue holds both fuselage halves and this is where I noticed a minor inconvenience as there are a few sink marks in the cockpit which will be visible if neglected thus requiring some putty. Other than that the detail inside and out looks marvellous and even has a stressed skin effect in some areas. The clear parts look good, however one of the slide canopies has a thin moldline along the middle which can be a real chore to remove, but thankfully there is a second one provided that does not have it.

Each sprue is categorized by what the parts form when completed. For example, all the parts for the cockpit are on the same sprue which helps organize your build and makes it much easier to keep track of the 400 plus pieces. Parts are provided for the Rolls Royce Merlin engine and 20mm Hispano cannons which can both be displayed without any aftermarket items required. The decals come printed on one large sheet with markings for
three RAF day fighter camoflauge schemes (two of which are Canadian), one USAAF desert camo and one Armee De L’Air scheme. Each scheme is printed on a page of it’s own with colour call-outs for Humbrol paint.

Lastly the novel that is the instruction book. On the front is a brief bio of the Spitfire in five languages. As noted earlier Humbrol paints are referenced for assembly, then the long haul begins. 244 steps are listed on 44 pages and in typical Airfix fashion, parts that are completed are highlighted red to help you keep track of where you are in assembly. Being such a detailed kit it demands patience, so I recommend taking your time to ensure the best possible end result.

Upon first look, I would say Airfix has really given it their all and produced a Spitfire kit that exceeds expectations and would satisfy even the most exasperated Spitfire modeller (and coming from a guy who gives Airfix a hard time, that is high praise). Thanks to Sunward Hobbies, I will be building this kit myself and provide personal feedback from construction to painting. Stay tuned.

David works at our location. He has built scale models since he was 12, specializing largely on military aircraft. He is a makeup artist and background actor for films and TV. He enjoys watching hockey and of course, movies. He has an excellent knowledge of hobby products and if you have questions concerning scale model airplanes.

Next Post: Part 2