1/72 Spitfires - Griffon Powered
Discussion
I've decided to do a double handed build of two different manufacturers' Griffon Spitfires. The models chosen are the Academy Spitfire XIV and the Airfix Spitfire XIX.
The Academy kit dates from around 1998 or so and the Airfix from 2008. Despite this, the finesse of detail is better on the Academy kit with a much lighter touch to the panel lines. Cockpit interiors are about equal although Airfix fail to give any instrument detail on the instrument panel - just a blank panel shape.
Shape wise, the Airfix kit is better than the Academy.
This is where I have got to in the builds -
The first two shots show the two cockpits. In the first picture, the Academy is on the left. Academy provided proper instrument details which I was able to paint. Airfix just provide a blank panel with no engraved dials and no instrument panel decal. I made my panel by photocopying and reducing a drawing of a Spitfire XIX instrument panel.
In the second shot, the Academy is on the left. On the Academy, the lap belts are a decal. I used tape to make the belts on the Airfix.
Most of this detail will be not that visible once the model is finished.
The third shot shows the main airframe glued together and primed. The more coarse panelling on the Airfix kit is pretty obvious. I have cut away the elevators on the Airfix kit as I intend to show the finished model with drooped elevators - something quite commonly seen on Spitfires.
The Academy kit dates from around 1998 or so and the Airfix from 2008. Despite this, the finesse of detail is better on the Academy kit with a much lighter touch to the panel lines. Cockpit interiors are about equal although Airfix fail to give any instrument detail on the instrument panel - just a blank panel shape.
Shape wise, the Airfix kit is better than the Academy.
This is where I have got to in the builds -
The first two shots show the two cockpits. In the first picture, the Academy is on the left. Academy provided proper instrument details which I was able to paint. Airfix just provide a blank panel with no engraved dials and no instrument panel decal. I made my panel by photocopying and reducing a drawing of a Spitfire XIX instrument panel.
In the second shot, the Academy is on the left. On the Academy, the lap belts are a decal. I used tape to make the belts on the Airfix.
Most of this detail will be not that visible once the model is finished.
The third shot shows the main airframe glued together and primed. The more coarse panelling on the Airfix kit is pretty obvious. I have cut away the elevators on the Airfix kit as I intend to show the finished model with drooped elevators - something quite commonly seen on Spitfires.
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