Spitfire Mk. IX Early (Small) Carb Intake for Revell

BarracudaCast, 1/32 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

BarracudaCast has just released another new accessory for Revell's 1/32 scale Spitfire Mk.IX.

Like the Spitfire Mk.II before it, this kit is like the Curate's Egg - it is good in parts.

One of the bits that is not so good is the late-version, long Aerovee carburettor intake. The kit's three-piece assembly fails to depict the subtle contours of the real thing. Barracudacast released an improved resin replacement for the long Aerovee intake in June this year.

Now Barracudacast will take the Spitfire Mk.IX back in time with an early-style short intake.

This new short intake is made up from two resin parts - the lower cowl and the intake itself, just aft of the main part.

Casting of both parts is perfect.

The intake lip is thin, and the subtle curves look correct. There is some flash and casting strips to be cleaned up, but this won't be a problem to anyone who has worked with resin before.

With the main lower cowl being one piece, there is no centreline seam to clean up either.

The main resin part is hollowed out on the inside surfaces and rebated at the edges, which should mate accurately with the plastic engine cowling sides.

The late-style Aerovee intake from June was cast with a centre centre reinforcing spine that would have required a little bit of care, but this lower cowl has no such feature and should be a snap to clean up - almost literally.

This is a high quality, subtly detailed and simple resin conversion for Revell's 1/32 scale Spitfire IXc early-style short carby intake. The difference really is noticeable and there are many interesting markings for early Spitfire Mk.IXs.

Thanks to Barracuda Studios for the images and information

Barracuda Studio products are available online from their website

Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 22 December, 2021
Last updated 23 December, 2021

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