A big news in the modelling community last week was revealing that Tamiya is about to release a 1/32 plastic kit of the Spitfire Mk. IX. No photos of this product have been released yet, but the expectations for accuracy and quality run high as is always the case with major Tamiya releases. What is known, however, is that the kit will feature the markings of Johnnie Johnson’s JE-J, and therefore should provide the “C” wing (wide cannon bulges?) plus early style cowling and chin intake.
There will also be a fully detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin engine with detachable cowling panels which can be attached by a clever system of magnets. The cockpit, as may be expected from Tamiya, will be fully detailed. Photo-etched detail parts will also be included, plus a seated and standing pilot figures.
Options in the kit will include two types of rudders and elevators, normal or clipped wings, and a display stand to depict it in flight. The kit is scheduled for release in November, undoubtedly aiming at Christmas sales. We may also expect that its public premiere will take place at the 9th annual All-Japan Plamodel Hobby Show in Tokyo, October 8-11.
Coincidentally, the Czech manufacturer Eduard, by no means comparable to Tamiya in terms of size, but widely recognized for excellence in accuracy and finesse of their aircraft kits, have just made a very similar announcement. They intend to make an entire series of 1/32 Spitfires, including the different variants of the Mk. IX lineage, Mk. VIII and Mk. XVI. Wings will be both standard and clipped, C and E types. From that you can deduce what will be covered in our line of Spits. Eduard announced in their recent newsletter that work on the kit has begun, but no release dates have been given, and an inevitable question is if their initiative will survive Tamiya’s entry into the very same niche, equal their offering or perhaps even beat it!
After 20 years of hiatus, the current proliferation of modern 32nd scale Spitfire kits is most welcome. On the other hand, you can never have too many Spitfires!
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