How to Build
Tamiya's 1:32 Spitfire

by Brett Green

ADH Publishing

Reviewed by Al Bowie

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I will start this review by declaring I am a friend of the Author. This review is written fromt the point of view of a part time aircraft modeller.

Every now and again the modelling industry throws out a truly magnificent example of the model maker’s art. The new 32nd scale Spitfire Mk IXc by Tamiya is a perfect example. The Spitfire is one of the most kitted aircraft subjects yet many major marks have yet to see the light of day in kit in all the popular scales. Tamiya’s large scale Spitfire is only the second injection moulded 1/32 scale kit of this important mark, and one that has set the bar for accuracy, detail and value for money. The kit is a significant investment for the modeller and as such one that the modeller will invest a lot of time and effort in.

ADH Puplishing has produced this 66 page gem dedicated to the building of this great kit. The book is well printed on high quality semi-gloss paper and is packed full of superb and relevant pictures and diagrams.
Essentially, the book revolves around three unique builds of the kit by three separate and highly talented modellers. This to me is core of the book’s value, as each has unique and well described methods of approaching the facets of the build thus exposing the reader to a diverse array of methods and ideas.

What’s in the book? Surprisingly for only 68 pages there is a lot and most of it, whilst related directly to the new Tamiya kit, will be of great interest as a general building guide to the Spitfire and aircraft modelling.  The title begins with a Foreword that introduces  the three modellers who present their builds:

• Brett Green

• Roy Sutherland, and

• Marcus Nicholls

The remaining 7 Chapters cover the following areas:

• Introduction – Covering a background of the real Mk IXc and available 1/32 scale laye model Merlin Spitfire conversions and kits.

• Late Model Merlin Spitfire Close-Up – A photo walkaround of two late Model Spitfires located at the Temora (NSW Australia) Aviation Museums, a Mk VIII and a Mk XVI

• Spitfire Mk IXc in Profile – 3 pages of colour profiles by Richard Caruana

• In Box Review – A close look at the kit

• Step by Step Build – 16 pages showing a detailed build of the kit by Brett Green

• RAAF Spitfire over the continent – Brett’s finishing of the kit as an RAAF aircraft operating in Europe during WWII

• Tropic Spitfire – Marcus Nicholls takes us through his build as a tropical Spitfire in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations.

• High Altitude Fighter – Roy Sutherland details his conversion to a very attractive high altitude Mk VII in a pale grey scheme

• An appendix listing currently available decals and suggested references.

This book is a very useful supplement to a great kit but, as I stated earlier, it is also a fantastic book of aircraft modelling and finishing in general which will inspire and instruct the modeller regardless of skill level. The three builds are of significantly different schemes to really highlight the diversity of subject available for this kit, which I am sure I’ll be seeing on many a competition table.

This book is a great compliment to a great kit and one I would recommend to any modeller of the new Tamiya Spitfire or Spitfires in general. I believe it will really add to the modeller’s library and help to improve skills in many an aircraft modeller.

Order online now from ADH Publishing.

Text Copyright © 2010 by Al Bowie
Images Copyright © 2010 by ADH Publishing
Page Created 4 March, 2010
Last Updated 4 March, 2010

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