Brand new Airfix 1/24 Spitfire Mk.VIII Review.

[@BillyRiff-RAF]

I was about to roll my eyes and say "not another spitfire" antil I saw 1:24 scale and made in Britain. Looks absolutely fantastic.

[@chrisberridge1346]

I love the Airfix 1/24 super kits and this certainly doesn't disappoint. Would love to see Airfix have a good at a large scale Beaufighter, that really would be a super kit. Great review as usual Nigel 👍. All the best

[@monsieurchevrebois9811]

That would be excellent but I'm not so sure that the Mosquito was a commercial success. I missed out on it first time around so perhaps they will do a limited re-release.

[@stevengriffin7873]

Would be as successful as the Mosquito I think.

[@stevengriffin7873]

How about an EE Lightning F1/3 as well.

[@michaelnaven213]

Airfix is really knocking it out of the park, very nice.👍

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Yes they are!

[@phillipsiviter2024]

We knew it was coming and it looks like it wont disappoint - thanks for sharing Nige.

[@danwilliams1686]

I built the MK.IX last summer, and it went together like a dream, easily airfix's best kit ever. I used a circle cutter to make my own roundel stencils, but I never do that again ! Lining up three concentric circles is not for the faint of heart.

[@petethescalemodeller6130]

I wish Airfix would re - release the 1/24 Mosquito.. I would buy two .. this seems a good kit.. thanks Nigel..

[@markfleming1605]

Another fantastic review of a great looking kit. I look forward to seeing you build. Kind regards and look forward to your next video.

[@kenhanson1819]

Great review, Nigel! Thanks for your thorough review.

[@Jason_L10]

Awesome review, looking forward to watching the build.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Coming soon!

[@craigjewkes]

Loved the review Nige and looking forward to you blasting your way through this one soon. I took delivery of the Boder 1/35 Spitfire MK5b this morning for a steal at £15 from Temu

[@paulbantick8266]

I wish they would do a 1-24th Westland Whirlwind. If they did then perhaps Id get back into modelling after 25 years.

[@cdg3818]

Looks superb. Enjoy building it Nigel.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks, will do!

[@guillermohoffmann8417]

I had the chance to meet Bruce Watson, Ted Sly and Bobbie Gibbs from the Grey Nurse squadron in Temora air museum in New South Wales!... had the photos with them!

[@richardbennett8522]

Good review Nigel and the Spitfire does look good in Aussie markings

[@StevoLondon]

Thanks for a great review Nigel, mine is on order 👍

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Good choice!

[@markshellard5894]

That does look nice be getting mine

[@DavidRLentz-b7i]

Well, now! 😀What have we here? From what I have read and heard of its development and production, a slow-in-coming fraternal twin of the Supermarine Spitfire RAF Mk.IXc Fighter. To my keen surprise, this Spitfire RAF Mk.VIII fighter looks every bit as exciting and compelling as its chronologically more alacritous sibling. An excellent presentation of a keenly intriguing topic. Thanks! I next would like to see a comparison between the two kits, not merely in parts, features, components, etc., but also in their use in combat, which services or branches had fielded them, how they fared in battle, their appearance in theatre, etc. Please pass along to Airfix that we next would like to see a new slide-mold kit in this scale of the North American Aviation P-51D/H/K Mustang USAAF air superiority fighter. This would include comprehensive parts options for the variants I delineate herein. Next, a kit (in general as I describe immediately above) of the Chance Vought F4U-1/2 series Corsair USN/USMC/FAA Fighter, also with full parts options for the variants I cite. And soon thereafter, a 1:24th-scale kit of the Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair USN carrier-based fighter-interceptor. After that, a kit (again, much as I outline above) of the Lockheed P-38 J/L Lightning USAAF Twin-Engine Interceptor. Next, a similar kit of the early Lockheed P-38 F/G/H Lightning Interceptor. Incidentally, I very much would like to include in these displays the vehicles generally associated with them; a refuelling lorry, a machinist’s work vehicle, a tow tractor, all bustling about their tasks. Hasegawa several years past had issued a highly detailed model of Willys Overland’s M-38 U.S. Army ¼-ton 4×4 light utility truck, the famous Jeep that long since had crossed over into popular culture through newspapers, magazines, movies, comic books, television programmes, etc. Or a pilot of a highly affluent family, who discreetly had sent him his shiny, black touring car. Then, on some rainy, late afternoon, a dark-grey, four-door automobile brings round a tall, broad-shouldered general with a trim, black moustache in search of volunteers for a covert assignment . . . . For me, specifically, a 1:25th-scale model of a 1942 Ford sedan in olive drab, a white, five-point star round 20- or 25cm across upon the driver’s door and the front passenger door.

[@ZinzanModelling]

Dear Nigel, Rather good to see a less well known version of this perennial favourite! Not too many greebleis mind you!! Good review sir. Regards, Z

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I'm sure you'll be be dipping your toe in on this one?

[@ZinzanModelling]

@@NigelsModellingBench Ah- I had a thought towards it, but I still have a Mk1 early to do. Might do what you are suggesting with a quick build- seems like a good idea. They’re about £75 aren’t they? Regards, Z

[@JohnyG29]

The MkVIII is a very well known mark of Spitfire. Well used in Italy and far east.

[@justynmason4225]

Great review Nigel and glad to see you smiling again. Keep joying the idea of one the larger scale spitfires but can't decide between that or the Border Models Stuka, don't think I would build both.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Just get both!!

[@anniepoulton8501]

Great review Nige 👍👍👍

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Thanks 👍

[@brettpeacock9116]

Hi Nigel. The wing sprues are also new. The Mark VIII used the "Short-span" ailerons which did not reach to the wingtips panel. Airfix have provided new wings, rather than a filler piece on each cutout.

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

Having built three MkIX's I won't be building this, I'm all Spitfired out. It's been a journey for sure. The kit need too much work to make it right, especially the wing trailing edges and wing tips. I have found when you build more than one you tend to notice things more, especially when you dig deeper into researching the subject. Regarding the control column link rod, it's quite easy to make but very difficult to see it once the model is built, same goes for the control cables, fun to scratch build though. It's pretty clear Airfix built the parts for the MKVIII at the same time as the MKIX but held them back to release them as part of this "new kit"

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

cool review of a cool aircraft

[@davidlongley534]

This Aussie is on pre order

[@goforitpainting]

Cool model. 🛩

[@davidgoddard594]

Great review thanks Nigel. Here is my 2 cent rant. This kit, the Border Kate and others give the option of wheels up/in flight look but WHERE IS THE PILOT/CREW? when built in this configuration. Just my opinion because I love kits that give crew option like Tamiya 1/32 kits. Keep the reviews and builds coming.

[@monsieurchevrebois9811]

Having built the IX with the engine open, I am very tempted to build the engine and have it sitting alongside a closed up version using some alternative after market decals.....just to be different.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

You need the basic engine parts to support the prop, so you'd need an extra sprue.

[@monsieurchevrebois9811]

@@NigelsModellingBench Good point, perhaps someone can do an after market parts for mounting the prop and an engine stand kit.

[@jRieg]

Im' 67 and I used to build kits back in the 70's. I can't believe how much they cost today. I still build RC planes and they are a lot more than they used to be, guess nothing stays the same.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

It seems to be the last dozen years or so where the prices have gone haywire. And corporations are of course still using Covid as an excuse to double prices in 3 years. I imagine that model shows and swap meets are still the places to get bargains.

[@charlesbecker9617]

Interesting, a much more detailed kit than the MPC 1/24 Spitfire. From 1969. Had it then. Never finished it. Still have the MPC Messerschmitt BF 109 E unbuilt need to build it.

[@5EyesIsntWatching]

Lol Nigel is like a cat, give him a cardboard box he's happy for hours 😂😂😂. This kit just went on my Santa list, I hope Airfix does a Tropical MK

[@FinsburyPhil]

Although a self confessed Spitfire nerd, I've not really looked beyond RAF service up to now. So a great opportunity to find out more about USAAF service in Italy and whether it would have been painted or NMF. I'll report back Nige!

[@brettpeacock9116]

I think you may find that they were originally camouflaged and then later stripped back to bare metal by a maintenance unit.

[@alsstuff]

If I've got time I'll fit this one in but my era is post war. Looks a good kit though.

[@Steves-Average-Models]

Well that’s wet my whistle, done the MkIX, but really fancy the yank one

[@robmarsh6668]

I like the mk.viii the best, what the ix should have been if the stoopid 190 hadn't showed up.

[@dennisbisconti4583]

I wonder if air fix will redo there 109 kits like this they did a great job

[@NigelsModellingBench]

It would be nice, but I'd rather see a 1/24 Corsair.

[@dennisbisconti4583]

@@NigelsModellingBench + or even a Grumman wildcat or a helldiver

[@monsieurchevrebois9811]

@@NigelsModellingBench or a 1:24 Me 262. There are rumours..................

[@stevegower7011]

A Me 262,oh yes please Airfix

[@stevesstuff1450]

@@monsieurchevrebois9811 : Now a 1/24th ME262 would be amazing! Definitely up for that! 👍 👍

[@captngrinell]

i am going to order one when it is available here in oz.

[@rogerheaton412]

Mate, BNA Models has them on their website to pre-order now. Cheers. Rog.

[@johnhughes2653]

A Burma spitfire? Count me in!

[@andrewjones1649]

You're a lucky so & so getting that early, Nigel. I have mine on order. Question, when you said no control column, I couldn't work out what component you mean? I was out at the time when I was watching you, and while the kettle boiled when I got home, I had a look in the Mk.IX, and I can't see what you mean is missing. The control column (joystick) is D51 in the Mk.IX kit. What am I looking for? PS. I buy my kits from a local shop in Horncastle, Lincs. The lady who owns the shop says that the 'made in the UK' tag is a great selling point. I was mildly surprised, but you like that concept too. 😊

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I mean the shaft that goes back from the column under the seat.

[@andrewjones1649]

@NigelsModellingBench Thanks mate, cleared up. 👍

[@stuart-xt3jo]

isnt the control column instruction 26 ?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Sorry, I mean the rod which goes from the column back under the seat. It is not in the kit.

[@ICEM4NIII1]

Gonna say the column was step 27. Thanks for clearing up what you mean. Thankfully it's not a part your really going to see that's missing

[@Exgasman9072]

Don/t forget the 1/24 Stuka!

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Don't worry, that one is on the cards too, mentioned it in my roundup video today.

[@justinboulton9655]

Hawker hunter in this scale please

[@John-ey5cx]

Too bad Airfix didn’t correct the detail error in the 20 mm gun bay (gun bay divider and ammo feed.) and the .303 ammo feed for the Brownings.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I wasn't aware there was an error in that area?

[@howardkendrick4039]

Hang on.... no control column?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I meant the rod behind the column that goes under the seat.

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

It looks nice Nigel. £90 at Jadlam. But I think the marking options look really boring.

[@intothenight756d47]

Made in Britain? I want proof...

[@WATTScostumes]

Don`t review. Build it!

[@justynmason4225]

🤣