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Irfix Spit Mk1
Topic Started: Feb 23 2018, 01:06 PM (352 Views)
typhoon
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Beast
[ * ]
Few days ago I've bought via E-bay from an UK seller, what was shown as the new Airfix issue of Spit Mk 1 (A01071A ). The object safely arrived y much earlier then planned. Unfortunately I ve got A68206 (older kit) instead of A01071A plubicised and order in accordance to the E-bay offer.
Now, before a start an issue with the seller, may anybody tell me if the difference between the two Airfix issue is really significant or if just minor or nil improvement have been done on the kit?
Many thanks in advance for any answer.
Typhoon
Sorry for the typo error. The title should indeed read Airfix istead of Irfix Could please the admin change it?
Edited by typhoon, Feb 23 2018, 01:11 PM.
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Graham Boak
Hero
[ * ]
They are completely different toolings. The old one was excellent in its day, but some modellers only accept recessed panel lines and intricate cockpit interiors, so discard it. It does have a problem in getting the lower wing to sit comfortably within the rear fuselage. Otherwise fit is good but given the long production that may not be so true of the final production runs - I can't confirm that but it seems reasonable.

The new one has a slightly longer nose, which seems to be correct, has somewhat overdone recessed lines, and lacks a little of the subtlety of the previous one (I can't see any washout near the wingtips). LIke many of the newer Airfix toolings, fit is exceedingly tight and it is important to ensure that the well-detailed cockpit interiors are not pushing the fuselage sides apart, or you will end up with a flat wing lacking the correct dihedral. It is still a first class kit of the subject.

Lancashire, UK
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Mark Schynert
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Yeast
[ * ]
The main issue is misrepresentation. The older kit is fine for its time, and will still make a good model, but it's not worth as much on the secondary market because it is not as detailed nor as precise in fit. If I still had one, I would build it, but I wouldn't purposely buy one, except for a few bucks as a source of parts.

You didn't get what you bargained for, and the difference is significant.
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jvenables
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Hawk
[ * ]
I actually quite like the old Airfix Mk.I and think I prefer it to the newer tool. The new one is very nicely done shape and engineering-wise but those awful deep & wide panel lines just turn me off. As much as I positively loathe rescribing, I think it is probably easier to rescribe the main panel lines on the old kit than try to reduce those on the newer version.

Sure enough, the old one lacks a cockpit interior (aside from a basic floor & seat) and has no wheel well detail but at this scale you can get away with scratchbuilt representations (an evening's work), especially if keeping the kit's closed canopy. Alternatively, since it is usually pretty cheap, you can throw some aftermarket at it and still have a low cost Spitfire Mk.I... if you must have Airfix.

But the bottom line for me is to go for the much nicer Tamiya Mk.I (can occasionally be found at just few dollars more than the newer Airfix kit) or the AZ Models early Spitfire kits. The latter are a little more pricey than, and lack the refinement of, the Tamiya kit but comes with more options. Horses for courses...
James from Brisbane, Australia
Now living in Laos

Nil illegitimi carborundum
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Mark Schynert
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Yeast
[ * ]
jvenables
Feb 25 2018, 05:08 AM
But the bottom line for me is to go for the much nicer Tamiya Mk.I (can occasionally be found at just few dollars more than the newer Airfix kit) or the AZ Models early Spitfire kits. The latter are a little more pricey than, and lack the refinement of, the Tamiya kit but comes with more options. Horses for courses...
I built the AZ kit for a direct comparison with the old Airfix--my last old Airfix kit vs. what looked to be the new star. AZ's not a bad kit at all, and on the strength of that one build, I picked up many of the other marks. The new Airfix is a lot easier to get together, though I must admit I'm not particularly put off by the deep engravings.

I'm afraid you and I disagree about the acceptability of the Tamiya Spitfire I, but like you said, horses for courses. It's been so long since I came to a decision on it that I've quite forgotten what put me off (it wasn't the price).
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Graham Boak
Hero
[ * ]
It's the shape that puts me off the Tamiya Spitfire, both the wing and the fuselage, plus the prop and the exhausts (worse on the Mk.I than the Mk.V, to be fair). The fit is lovely.
Lancashire, UK
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MDriskill
Hero
[ * ]
Apologies in advance if I'm about to ask a super dumb question, but does your kit have raised or recessed panel lines?

According to what I just googled up, A68206 is a starter set in a new-style red box. I would think it's the new mold (recessed lines), but can't be sure from what I've found.

When you said “older kit” above, everyone assumed you meant the previous Airfix Mk I from decades ago, but that may not be the case.
Edited by MDriskill, Feb 26 2018, 11:34 AM.
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typhoon
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Beast
[ * ]
A68206 that i've got has recessed panel lines, red box and smal jare of colours plus glue and brush. Seller E-bay advert was in any case showing a different box and code (i.e. A68206). BTW this last one was included on Airfix mail as new issue for the 2018. I guess that I can make a reasonable model from what I've got (there are also cockpit details on it), but however I feel not honest showing an article and deliver another.
Typhoon
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Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
typhoon
Feb 25 2018, 05:57 PM
A68206 that i've got has recessed panel lines, red box and smal jare of colours plus glue and brush. Seller E-bay advert was in any case showing a different box and code (i.e. A68206). BTW this last one was included on Airfix mail as new issue for the 2018. I guess that I can make a reasonable model from what I've got (there are also cockpit details on it), but however I feel not honest showing an article and deliver another.
Typhoon
That's the same kit as the one pictured in the ebay ad, (the new one) just in a different box including paints. You got the starter version.
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
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MDriskill
Hero
[ * ]
You have the new kit.

I agree this is some odd behavior from the seller, but as Chuck1945 noted, A01071A and A68206 have exactly the same, newest-tool, plastic parts. I think the original Series 1 (A01071A) had two markings options, while the starter set (A68206) has only one—a bit of a shame as Airfix decals are quite good—but you did get some free paints in exchange.

In term of value, you came out ahead. The starter version is significantly MORE expensive bought at retail.

For the record, the Series 1 kit has been re-released with new markings as A01071B.

There is also a Series 2 version of the kit (A02010) sold as a “Mk I / Mk IIa.” It has an extra small sprue enabling an early Mk I with 2-blade prop, or a Mk IIa to be constructed, plus a more comprehensive decal sheet. But again, the two primary sprues are identical in all these kits.

For what it’s worth, I finished one of these a couple years ago and loved it, most fun I’ve had building a model in ages.
Edited by MDriskill, Feb 26 2018, 11:36 AM.
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MDriskill
Hero
[ * ]
(Sorry...accidental double post)
Edited by MDriskill, Feb 26 2018, 11:30 AM.
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stimpy
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Is It Safe?..... Nope
[ * ]
You have highlighted one of the major issues with Airfix and it's rebox policy.... darn hard to tell what model will be in the box unless you happen to do some research as all this new lovely box style and artwork "new release" doesnt mean newly tooled.
No more plastic
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peebeep
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Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
[ * ]
A68206 is the kit that was newly tooled in 2010. I stand to be corrected but I believe it was a special edition exclusive to Hobbycraft.
www.locate-and-cement.com
Locate and Cement website
RevellAtions
Bring me my chariot of fire
Paul Brown, Chelmsford, UK Posted Image
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peebeep
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Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
[ * ]
stimpy
Feb 26 2018, 04:50 PM
You have highlighted one of the major issues with Airfix and it's rebox policy.... darn hard to tell what model will be in the box unless you happen to do some research as all this new lovely box style and artwork "new release" doesnt mean newly tooled.
It takes a couple of minutes to look up the provenance of just about anything in the plastic kit world on Scalemates. As a general rule (there are one or two exceptions) most of what has been marketed by Airfix over the last couple of years was tooled up this century, it's not exactly like the bad old days prior to the Hornby takeover.
www.locate-and-cement.com
Locate and Cement website
RevellAtions
Bring me my chariot of fire
Paul Brown, Chelmsford, UK Posted Image
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Aaron_w
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Toady
[ * ]
I thought this was going to be about a knock off Airfix kit. It went in a completely different direction than expected.


Unless you specifically wanted one of the decal sets from the other boxing, you essentially got the kit you paid for. If there was a mixup the seller came out the worse in the exchange as those starter sets generally retail for about 50% more.

I've got one mostly assembled, its just waiting on paint. Like most of the new Airfix kits I found it went together quite nicely without drama.
Aaron Woods
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