I really would like to build a 1/24 model but it seems that only Airfix and Trumpeter manufacture 1/24 scale models. From my experience,airfix are not my favorite in other scales especailly the cockpit (very poor) and the detail is raised not engraved. Can someone tell me if 1/24 airfix are worth building and is their cockpit detailed? raised or engraved detail? I haven’t found any aftermarket in that scale.
Regards
The Airfix 1/24 kits are pretty old tools with raised panel lines & minimal detail considering the scale. The new Trumpeter 1/24 kits are much better, but at a price $. Pretty slim pickens for 1/24 Aftermarket, although there are a few decal sheets available. I’ve seen the old Airfix kits built up into very nice models, but will take a lot of work & scratch building added detail.
Regards, Rick
Thanks Rick.
Too much work. A 1/32 tamiya kit will be better. [:)]
Regards Andrew
Tamiya 1/32 scale kits can get pretty expenisve… The trunpeter kits arent bad though.
Andrew,
I built a 1/24 Airfix Spit about 2 years ago. I have to disagree with RJK. - Mine had recessed panel lines. I thought the surface detail was crisp and well done. I had a blast building this kit but there are a few things you may want to know…
I had to box in the wheel wells and provide some basic interior detail for them. Otherwise - you’re just looking at the inside of the upper wing surface.
I had some fit problems with the framing of the fuselage that goes over the engine. I don’t think I made any errors in assembling or fitting the engine into the fuselage - but everything is just SO tight in there. I had to shave down the valve covers and remove material from the inside of the “hood” so that it would fit with no gap. If I had to do it over again - I guess I would try to find some other way to make things shorter by shaving other parts. (Like the bottom of the valve covers where they are glued to the block.)
I thought the interior detail was pretty good. The wall detail is mostly molded in - but it’s there. I thought the pedals, seat, stick, and instrument panel were very well detailed, and accurate according to the 3 or 4 cockpit photos I had to work with.
I have heard that the 1/24 Hurricane is better - but that’s just hearsay.
If you want to know anything more specific about the Spit - let me know and I’ll try to dig back in the memory banks.
I would highly recommend it as a “first try” at REALLY LARGE scale. I haven’t done any other 1/24 or 1/32 kits, I work mostly in 1/72 - but that Hurricane is in the back of my mind. They’d make a good pair !
Good Luck - and let us know what you decide
Meteor Productions are keeping up with Trumpeter’s releases with their Cutting Edge aftermarket resin and decal lines. Not every kit, mind you, but many, including some of the 1/24 kits.
Do a search at www.meteorprod.com
The big Airfix kits are most certailny worth a look! I have built Spitfire, Hurricane (2, including one with the fuselage side panels removed and a LOT of scratchbuilt innards added) and several Harriers. The last of the Harriers was a total rebuild to produce a GR7, no less!
If you want to practice scratchbuilding and superdetailing, these kits are definitely good value. The visual impression of such a big model is dramatic on a club display table! Do not be put off - there is plenty of space in the cockpits to remove moulded-on detail and replace it with scratchbuilt parts. Rather than wait for aftermarket bits, have a go yourself! The sense of satisfaction is huge!! Enjoy!
I have to agree with Bossman, I’ve built the Airfix Spit.,109 and P51. you can put as much work into them as you want,or as little ,they still make a good impression on people .I’ve trumpeters Spit on my shelf awaiting its turn on the workbench so i can’t speak to what its going to be like but from just fiddling with the parts ,it seems to be a pretty decent kit.
I’m operating from my flawed memory here, but I understand that Airfix rereleased their early 70s Spitfire I (originally released in white plastic) with a retooled Vb several years ago, so from what I’ve read, you might get one of two kits, one more modern. After I get some things cleared away, I’m doing the Trumpeter 1/24 Spit Vb floatplane. I’ve gathered AM parts from Waldron, and if you need the best 1/24 bezels, instrument faces and a placard set that includes and oxygen regulator and only on the Spitfire set, a VERY elaborate, 17-part throttle/mixture quadrant that actually works (at least, the levers move the tiny wire linkages, so, assuming you have a tiny fuel system that also works, you’ll be in business.) But seriously, I wouldn’t think of doing a Spitfire in any scale from 1/48 up without turning to Waldron for AM parts. Also, years ago I built the 1/24 MPC release of the 1/24 Airfix FW 190, and I can’t speak for accuracy, but it did have plenty of nicely engraved detail, and the instrument panel was unique, with the instrument faces in raised detail on a clear part that fit through the round openings in the gray instrument panel. The effect was quite striking if you painted carefully, or used decals. But, Waldron’s 1/24 faces are sharp enough to actually read, and they aren’t too pricey, either, so I plan to use them yet again on my big Spit.
Tom
I’ve built the Airfix Fw 190A-5 and thought it was a decent place to start. Although my build was quick with nothing extra, there is plenty of oprtunity to spruce things up! I’ve got the P-51 also and they both have recessed detail, parts fit is good, but those large wing surfaces need a bit of fidgeting to get them glued together properly. There is plenty of engine detail and the cockpit is nice.
If you want a ‘Hasegawa-ish’ build straight from the box, the Airfix may not be for you but do not let this deter you from these kits!
Andrew and Shark,
Just for clarification, the Spit that I was referring to was a Spit I, not a Vb.
I saw the Trumpeter Vb Floatplane on the shelf at my local hobby shop.
What a slick plane ! But alas - a bit steep for my current budget
Colin,
Was there much of a difference between the Airfix Spitfire and Hurricane kits that you built in terms of detail and fit ?
Chris
I just picked up a Spit Mk 1 in an original box from the 70’s and was surprised at the fact that the panel lines were recessed and also by the fact that the parts fit so well.
The fact that it is an original means that the mould isn’t ‘tired’, but considering its age it is a very nice kit (£19 at Hannants shop)
I have the MPC 190 under construction and find it to be a very nice kit. At a contest some years ago I saw the Ju87 assembled with tons of detail and was truly impressed by it. One of these days I might build mine. All of the 1/24th I aquired was under the MPC label and could only get the 190,109, and Ju 87.
Bossman,
I look on these Airfix models as a starting point! By the time you have added all the extra detail in the cockpit, opened up panels on the Hurricane alongside the cockpit and added all the wiring and plumbing and done the same to the engine bay, undercarriage bay, flaps and gun bays, there are always fit problems! Plenty of dry fitting before opening the glue bottle is the answer!
I have just finished the Airfix Stuka, and had an absolute blast. A kit I really enjoyed doing, and altough the temptation was there to super detail it, I managed to supress this, other than harnesses and the gunners chair. The panel lines were recessed, but the rivets on the wings are so sharp that they tend to poke through the decals. Some sanding is called for here. But I really recommend this. It takes a huge amount of painty tho’.
Cheers,
Roy
I agree with “Bossman”. I have the FW 190 and Bf 109 kits, and although unbuilt so far, I’ve examined them closely. The panel lines are recessed where appropriate, and the FW’s rivets are as well, with fairly accurate patterning. The sizes and shapes of both aircraft match up closely to scaled-up ine drawings. The cockpits are sparse, and in this scale, would need a lot of work to bring up to par. What a great opportunity to start scratchbuilding! It’s not as hard as one might think, and adds a whole new level of satisfaction to your finished product. Not shake-and-nake kits by any means, they will certainly bring out the modeller in you…! I can’t wait to get home and start on mine. There are several articles at www.largescaleplanes.com outlining several well-done builds.
JK