[Ara1]

Yesterday I received Hobby Master's 2nd issue Spitfire, which is a 1/48 scale diecast model. This plane had been backordered from 11/2/07 and On Mark International's packing was first-rate, the plane arrived in perfect condition. My limited edition issue number is 57 of 1800.

The model came packed in Hobby Master's colorful box, with two clear acetate inserts holding: the plane (gear up); choice of up or down tailwheels; pilot; and stand. The canopy came installed.

The detail on the plane is excellent, this is a very nice model. The landing gear takes a bit of coaxing due to the deep radiators but they will extend without much problem. Once down, the gear appears to scale, has the right sit and is sturdy.



Quite by accident I discovered the cannons may be accessed; the cover felt moveable although the tolerances are very tight! I was able to lift off the right cover to reveal the two cannon.



Vertical and horizontal tail surfaces also gently move.



The plane is resplendant in a faint wash, which really accentuated the detail, especially the undersides.




The one minus for the kit is the wingtips, which in my example had a slight droop (forgive the picture quality).



My attempt to gently correct this snapped the plastic tip off.



The good news is the fit is so tight, I can push it back in place, and I will also have no problem supergluing this item to its correct configuration, without a droop.

Conclusion: worth every penny and a great addition to the collection. This kit is class, right up there with my Carousel 1 Shields Wildcat and just above my Eagles International Pattie Ann II P-51B. The wing/fueselage joint is so tight it's indecipherable: I cannot see how this model went together. The markings appear painted and are flawless, and the rubber wheels add the right feel as this plane is handled and placed down again and again. An advantage that diecast models enjoy over plastic scale models is the handlability; you will want to examine this Spitfire closely and often, and it's durable enough to take it. The wingtips are a drawback but many of us suspected there would be an issue as the first edition Spitfire was the clipped version. The problem is not a showstopper and can be fixed. The retracting gear is a nice feature as the mechanism does not detract from the appearance of the model.

Grade: 9/10.

[Andrew]

looks great! can't wait for the third

[Cruver Collecter]

They made a real sharp looking Spitfire with that model. Makes me look forward to the products they will be coming out with this year.

[hworth18]

The Spitfire looks good and like Andrew, I will be waiting for the 3rd issue....

[PappyB]

LOL -- I totally missed that the gun bay covers could be removed!!!

Thanks for the detailed info and pics!

[SnoopyAce]

Excellent review and nice pics! Thanks Ara1! I should be getting mine by next week. Let me know how your droopy wingtip fix goes -- I'd like to see pics if you can. I may do the same to mine. Can you gently coax the tip out of the slot or do you really have to break that sucker off?

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by SnoopyAce

Excellent review and nice pics! Thanks Ara1! I should be getting mine by next week. Let me know how your droopy wingtip fix goes -- I'd like to see pics if you can. I may do the same to mine. Can you gently coax the tip out of the slot or do you really have to break that sucker off?

Thanks SnoopyAce. The wingtip will come off quite easily if bent to form. Nothing breaks, but it will need to be cleaned up a bit with an Xacto knife and glued back to the correct planform. I will post pics as to how this can be done.

[SnoopyAce]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Thanks SnoopyAce. The wingtip will come off quite easily if bent to form. Nothing breaks, but it will need to be cleaned up a bit with an Xacto knife and glued back to the correct planform. I will post pics as to how this can be done.

Great! I'm looking forward to the wingtip-fix details and pics. It will give me some confidence to take on the task myself. Many thanks Ara1!

[lanslide]

Great review Ara! I got mine today and no droopy wingtips! But my port side gun barrel IS drooping. Also, the bulkhead plastic part behind the seat is mis-aligned. Other than that everything is perfect - this is still a very nice model. Maybe a little hair-dryer heat will help correct the droop. HM seems to have a problem with droopiness sometimes (remember the A-10).

[Ara1]

Lanslide what's yer edition number?