Spitfire Mk.IXc/e Conversion

3D Kits, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The conversion reviewed here is intended for both the Airfix Spitfire Mk.IXc and Hasegawa Spitfire Mk.VIII kits. It is intended to convert these kits to late Mk.IXc or Mk.IXe configuration (of course they could also become late Mk.XVI’s too).

The conversion consists of one cleanly moulded sprue enclosed within a zip-lock plastic bag stapled to a card header. The header lists the contents, has an extremely brief historical note on the Spitfire Mk.IX and some basic diagrammatic instructions (see accompanying image). The sprue provides:

• An improved prop for use with either kit, which according to 3D improves on shape for Airfix and diameter for Hasegawa,

• A broad chord pointed rudder for the Airfix kit,

• Circular exhausts to replace the fishtail type of either kit, and

• Slim cannon blisters to convert either kit’s wing to an E-configuration.

The propeller blades have quite a degree of finesse. I could only compare it to on-line images of the new tool Airfix Mk.IXc as it is not a kit I would bother to buy. Nevertheless, it is clear that 3D’s prop does look better. The same applies to the Hasegawa Mk.IX prop that I did have for direct comparison. The Hasegawa prop blades are too slender as well as being a little short. Whilst 3D’s prop is a bit broader in chord than Hasegawa’s, it is still a bit skinny when compared to equivalent props from CMR or Sword and I think photos of the real thing.

The broad chord pointed rudder for the Airfix kit looks fine, and will widen the colour scheme options for this kit.

The cannon blisters which are for an E-wing according to 3D are simply the slender cannon blisters used on later C and E wings, and are okay as such. However, the conversion set does not include the shrouded .50’ machine gun used with the E-wing, nor does it make any mention of the need to make these. Instead, the instructions seem to imply all that the builder need do is remove the kit blisters and replace with 3D’s in the E-wing position, shorten the kit cannon and place them outboard, place the cannon blanking caps over the inboard cannon positions, and fill the outboard .303” machinegun holes. The instructions do not mention the need to fill the.303 ejection chutes, nor to move those of the 20-mm cannons to align with their new positions.

It was hard for me to tell from the on-line images of the Airfix Mk.IX kit I used, but I think it has the early full span ailerons. If so, these will need to be shortened for a late Mk.IX (From memory, the Hasegawa kit has lines for both types, so you must fill in the appropriate line). There were also quite a number of clipped-wing LF Mk.IXe’s produced; in which case I would have thought 3D might have included clipped tips to help with converting the Airfix kit (the Hasegawa kit includes clipped tips), although the wings can be cut and filed to shape if you wish without too much effort.

The round exhausts are okay, but being injection moulded will need their ends drilled out for best appearance. This style of exhaust was generally associated with very late-build and post-war Spitfires. These late Spitfires often also featured “turtle-back” bulges in the upper wing surfaces over the main wheel wells along with a solid streamlined strengthening billet alongside the bulge. I have seen from on-line images Both the Airfix Mk.IXc and Hasegawa Mk.VIII kits have these wheel bulges moulded in their wings. This is wrong for both the early Mk.IX & Mk.VIII, but serendipitously are suitable for some, but far from all, late Mk.IXc’s & e’s. So check your references to see if you should remove or keep them.

Regardless of the forgoing, I think that there are better ways these days to build a decent Spitfire Mk.IXc/e than start with the rather mediocre Airfix kit, or the dated and slightly inaccurate Hasegawa kit. For a good Mk.IXe just buy the Sword kit, and for a good Mk.IXc convert an AZ Model Mk.VIII, or wait for Sword or AZ Model to release a Mk.IXc as one must be due soon.

The set does improve the worst aspect of the two target kits by providing a better propeller, albeit that I think it is still a little narrow in chord. The pointed rudder makes sense given Airfix’s unbelievable decision to leave one out of their kit, and opens up a lot more colour scheme options for this kit.

The E-wing conversion is at best only half-covered because it fails to address the .50’ machine guns and fails to mention modifying spent case ejection chutes. I also feel that including some clipped wing tips would make sense to go with the E-wing option for the Airfix kit.

The round exhausts were associated with late-build or post-war Spitfires, many of which also had bulged wheel well fairings with the strengthening billets over the wheel wells. Both target kits include these bulges (even though they should not) which is potentially helpful for a late Mk.IX. However, by no means all late Mk.IXc’s & e’s had the wheel bulges, so check your references.

This set serves its intended purpose well enough (.50” machineguns aside). I would be a strong advocate for it if we only had the Airfix and Hasegawa Spitfire, but we have wider choices. I feel the set only really makes sense if you already own the Airfix or Hasegawa kits, and want more out of the former, or a better prop for the latter. If you do not have these kits, and you want a good Spitfire Mk.IXe, then simply buy the Sword kit; or for a good Mk.IXc, just convert AZ Model’s Mk.VIII. The results will be better in all respects than converting either the Airfix or Hasegawa kits using the 3D set, and cost only about £3 more than the Airfix and 3D set combined.

Despite my comments, I am sure there are many who think that the new tool Airfix kit is great, and that this 3D set is the bee’s knees to add some extra lustre to a budget kit for not too much more money. I suspect the Airfix kit is the main target market for this set, and that is just fine.

Thanks to 3D-Kits for this review sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2012 by Mark Davies
Page Created 30 July, 2012
Last updated 30 July, 2012

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