Building Airfix Spitfire Mk1a - Model Aircraft

How to build the Airfix kit of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a, the main RAF single seat fighter plane of World War Two.
Although this version is from the Dogfight Doubles set the sprue is exactly the same as the normal Spitfire Mk1a - the only difference is a reduced amount of decals.
I'd recommend this kit to beginners and beyond!
---
VIDEOS:
- Brush Painting: • How to Brush Paint Sca...
- Wet Palette: • How to Build a Wet Pal...
- Applying Decals: • How to Apply Decals to...
- Chalk Washes: • Making Chalk Washes fo...
- Spray Painting: • Tips for Spray Painting
- Gun smoke/Exhausts: • How to: Realistic Exha...
---
SUPPORT: / quick_kits
---
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: @QKscalemodels / qkscalemodels
Instagram: @quick_kits / quick_kits
Twitter: @quick_kits / quick_kits
Email: [e-mail]
Music: Technicolor - Regular Chords
Technicolor's channel: / noiseresonancemusic
#airfix #spitfire #scalemodel #modelkit #scalemodelling #modelpainting #airfixspitfire

[@AlexModeling]

modeling and watch a timelapse video from you after such a bad week is a very calm experience!

[@quickkits]

Thanks Alex :) sorry to hear you've had a bad week

[@wakemanedwards3450]

Love the Quick build style...however...that was WAY too fast in my opinion. Please slow them down a bit. Thanks

[@capt.skipper8469]

Wakeman Edwards There is a button called “Playback Speed”

[@MatrixPanda]

@@capt.skipper8469 Playback speed tends to make people sound drunk, which is why most people don't use it.

[@archerj2010]

@@MatrixPanda correction - that's ALL I use it for!

[@MatrixPanda]

@@archerj2010 Plot twist, he is actually drunk and the video is just sped up to make him sound normal

[@marsbar7099]

@@MatrixPanda haha that's funny

[@quickkits]

As usual please feel free to comment with any constructive criticism, useful tips or suggestions for model builds! Don't forget to give a like if you enjoyed. Thanks, Owen

[@quickkits]

If you use a wide brush and thin your paint down to the consistency of milk, and do multiple thin coats you should get much better coverage and less brush strokes

[@Ciarankdy]

my spitfire is so shit in comparison to yours

[@daniele86388]

Great work on this spitfire with hand brush O.o.. continue so!

[@rurushu8094]

+Quick Kits Hi Owen! Have you built dioramas before? If you have, could you give some advice? Thanks and keep up the good work! :)

[@flamingskull2993]

Quick Kits I didn't think the music went well with this video The B5N2 KATE got a Japanese sounding song and the BF110 got a depressing song But still, like always great work!

[@davidtate2009]

If I hadn't seen it I would not have believed you could do such a good paint job with a brush. Looks great Owen. I have enjoyed watching your videos, and they have helped me with my builds. Thanks

[@richsmith8035]

Nothing like an English accent to class things up!! I hear quite a few different accents around this area, and I love it. My neighbors were Ukrainian, my Doctor is English but lived in South Africa for a long time. I mentioned my Centurion project, and he actually knew what I was talking about! Bless that compulsory service, they should have it here! Love Airfix kits, brings back memories. I miss walking into a well stocked hobby shop. We only have one really good one here. Would love to visit England before I kick the bucket.

[@dandanita1692]

damn Nazi neighbors, unlucky

[@petermathieson5692]

Very impressive finish: never seen such a result achieved with a brush rather than an airbrush. What skill! Like your weathering technique: will try that myself.

[@joshcarter6846]

Well done! I'm a young modeller and I have learnt many cool tips from this vid.Thanks!!

[@AstonM1965]

The iconic Spit looks fantastic, you've done a great job on her with the weathering effects.

[@quickkits]

Thank you!! And thanks for watching!

[@Johnny-jz5yx]

Looks great! This is probably the best video on KZbin for Spitfire!

[@Billbothebear14]

I have never seen a build film like this before.. I so enjoyed it I watched it 3 times.! Lovely build and soooo much more clever than anything I would have thought of when I was making these 50 years ago. Well done indeed. WF

[@quickkits]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it so much!! :)

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

Your certainly showing all your modeling skills and knowledge ; in this video ; excellent . and reviewing the kit at the same time !

[@raouldippie1944]

i did not know you could get such a beautiful finish with brushes. nice work!

[@flugjung]

That s a lovely job. You are a very good brush painter and the final result really stands out.

[@EwanM72]

Great finish from those tiny pots! a lot of inspiration for my next build now!

[@marsbar7099]

There great because theyre free!

[@MattBo1993]

Holy smokes! You're the best hand painter i've ever seen

[@EduardoMartinez-dm5pp]

i was watchn some other videos about airfix timelapse and this is by far one of he greatest. amazing job

[@quickkits]

Thank you! It's great that you think that haha! :D

[@jamesmather2839]

1. It all goes to show you can still make a nice model with brush painting. A great encouragement to new modellers I hope. 2. Like the gun ports, some smoke weathering around the cartridge ejection chutes under the wings.

[@anothermaxidad]

I think you have done a brilliant job on this kit. You get a great paint finish using brushes, as good as an airbrush (and less cleaning up afterwards!)

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much!! :D

[@sebastianestrada4690]

thank you for these videos, the quality of the video is such that i feel relaxed watching these and you also made me love building kits again

[@quickkits]

+sebastián Estrada that's fantastic to hear, I'm glad they've got you back into the hobby! Thank you for your lovely comment! :)

[@theblu-rayanddvdcollector8742]

great spit mate ! some really good detail on it !

[@ianhayes473]

to make scratch marks look better you should start by painting the model in silver then paint over that with all the normal colours then when you finished get some sand paper and gently use it to scratch away the top layer of paint just enough so that the silver shows in my opinion it just adds that more realistic look the scratch marks because they are actually scratches not just randomly placed silver lines

[@christophercooper2907]

Ian Hayes totally agree, I think this looks much better. I use Maskol and then rub it off.

[@TheWaggishAmerican]

This technique looks really good on heavily weathered Japanese aircraft

[@Wandering_Mochi]

Oh waggish is here

[@Chicane62]

Fantastic build mate, love your attention to detail and fine handywork.

[@quickkits]

Thank you! :D

[@rickroscoe4734]

Wonderful job. I love any models associated with the Battle of Britain, both RAF and Luftwaffe.

[@wirikuta14]

Excellent work, I´m following your videos. I´m beyond impressed that you brush paint.

[@davedareable]

I have been a model maker for over 50 years, starting when I was just 6 yrs old. This demo is very good and will hopefully inspire others to attempt a similar construction. I enjoyed the different painting techniques you use here, keep up the great work and good luck to anyone else attempting to achieve this realistic level of modelling....best regards, David.

[@quickkits]

Thank you David!

[@bprplane]

I love it your amazing at modelling. I'm in the process of making the airfix p51 mustang right now and seeing your videos helps me sooo much :)

[@quickkits]

Ooo I've read the new p51 kit is very good! Good luck with it! and thanks I'm glad the video has help you!!! :))

[@rimizoem]

Utterly brilliant. Loved the mod for the cockpit.

[@quickkits]

Thank you! :D

[@chancerNW]

Very well done. An excellently presented and compiled video. A beautiful build of the Spitfire. I liked the detail touches such as the gun covers. also your internal wash and highlight technique was excellent. All round a great job.

[@quickkits]

Thank you! Quite proud of this Spitfire :)

[@wjtr._03]

I still come back to this video quite a lot, done a good job

[@quickkits]

Thank you!

[@Jim-nd6tj]

Great modelling!! Amazing to watch

[@daviddean5392]

Enjoyed the build. I worked for Lesney Matchbox From 1979 till they closed the toolroom in Peterborough. Guess what my last Die was, Two new Fuselarge Dies. getting laid off with everyone else and work being scarce started the ball rolling on my move to the states.

[@richiesutton3079]

Wow looks stunning

[@colonalkuntstinke]

wow dude amazing ☺ not only r u a model plane builder but an artist too

[@quickkits]

+Hazza M thank you very much :D

[@JONNYDISASTER13]

LOOKS GREAT, AMAZING FINISHED PRODUCT!!

[@InternationalBritishModeler]

Beautiful build mate...that's a nice little kit from Airfix : )

[@quickkits]

Thank you, glad you liked it!! :D

[@tobycorbett3136]

Great work it looks like a real on just smaller. 10/10

[@pederkvevli2563]

Watching your videos makes my day!! Thanks Owen

[@quickkits]

You're very welcome, I#m glad you enjoy them so much :)

[@BlackAce-zr2ms]

Owen, I tried your way of how you built this Spitfire and it worked brilliantly. Taking inspiration from watering down your paints to trying out the way you made the wash which again worked better than I thought, granted I use Humbrol decalfix which works as well as Micro Set/Sol. As I get more confidence I'll give it a shot at cutting the canopy into 3 sections but as you mentioned it would have been nice if Airfix made it like that. Mind you being 1/72 it's hard in that aspect compared to a 1/48 kit. But I do thank you for the way you made this and when I do other Spit's in this format I'll add my own techniques and experience and see how it collaborates together. Have fun and keep building.

[@toequantumspace]

Late to the party! I've just finished DW0O Spitfire, but yours looks so much better. Good job, thanks for showing!

[@CT--pe1dk]

Your videos are so relaxing.... It makes me really tired In a good way, i'm not saying they're boring or anything haha, great video mate, i love these timelapse builds.

[@quickkits]

Haha even these old ones? The music choice is questionable. I'm glad you enjoy them :)

[@CT--pe1dk]

Quick Kits Haha yes, i think all your videos are fantastic!

[@UncleTadhg]

Your brush painting skills are outstanding! I'm tempted to put away the airbrush and have a go at a few kits the old fashioned way and hope they turn out as well as yours do.

[@quickkits]

Thank you!!! I'm glad it's inspired you!

[@Fredfiscars]

This is awesome! Just awesome! I've been building models for over 4 years now but I've never tought that these simple methods work that good!!!

[@quickkits]

Thanks!! :) Some times simple is best ;)

[@Fredfiscars]

Yeah! Also I love your video style, keep doing them this way, mate.

[@quickkits]

EdgarsModelling out of interest do you prefer how I did the B17 with the "part by part" style, or the timelapse styles of the others?

[@Fredfiscars]

B-17 was interesting to watch, as a cartoon, but I think that time lapse videos are better, we can see how you do the stuff..

[@quickkits]

EdgarsModelling interesting! Ok thanks for that, good to get someone elses opinion!

[@FLJorG]

Beautiful Spitfire... beautiful work! Greetings.

[@AndrewSkerritt]

These videos are excellent. The only thing I would suggest is a little less 'weathering' on the aircraft. During and after the Battle of Britain RAF ground crews took particular care of their aircraft and they were usually in tip-top condition and housed in hangers. The ground crew would wear special felt shoes if they had to walk on the wings and would clean and polish aircraft to keep them as fast as possible for the pilots. Later in the war and in overseas theatres where fighters were operating in forward bases with limited resources, some RAF planes might have gotten a bit rugged externally, but even then the ground crews usually had a firm sense of pride in their work and did the best they could. Cheers!

[@antonrudenham3259]

Excellent job young 'un! One minor point is that the larger squadron letters on the fuselage go over the smaller black serial number, but hey!Great to see.

[@MrJezza31]

Really really loved this, thank you!

[@usamilitarymodeler2186]

Great job Owen!! I have watched all of your videos and watch them all over and over again.your tips help me and and am going to try building a airfix model. My avatar is my M4A3 Sherman in 1 48 scale. Keep up the good work!!!!!

[@quickkits]

I'm pleased that they're re-watchable! From what I can see, your Sherman looks very nice

[@MrDeano1963]

Great job there mate. Looks great

[@quickkits]

Dean Wood Thanks man!!

[@mathewcaville9674]

looks awesome I would of gone for black exhausts but thats just me. top notch work bud!

[@wazeFPS]

very nicely detailed kit=) great job!

[@quickkits]

Thank you :)

[@Helicopterschmied]

Great work my friend i like the panel lines and that without im glad i can only say very good work. Michael

[@henrybronckaerts6467]

I tried some of your techniques on my new tool 1:48 airfix seafire and I worked really well

[@quickkits]

+Henry Bronckaerts That's great to hear! :D

[@SwiftFederal]

Aweosme video way worth the wait beautifully edited,

[@quickkits]

Aw shucks ;) thank you!! and yeah sorry it was a week later than I said it would be

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

Owen I liked all your videos I think I clicked them all ; well done!

[@louishemblen6635]

I personally have made two of these spitfires the main problem I had was getting the body pieces to stay together in the end I clamped it together which worked so if you plan to get this sand joints and hold it together or clamp otherwise the body may separate great vid 👍

[@fooficst]

Great job, and what makes it even better; not an airbrush in sight!. Well done!

[@johnmole7109]

awesome. I like the weathering that you made.

[@quickkits]

Thank you, glad you liked it!! :D I dunno if you've seen it already, but I've uploaded a video showing how I did the chalk wash if you're interested :)

[@scalemilitarymodelling8279]

You have inspired me for my channel you are going to be having credit for inspiration in my next video your sill the best scale modeller on KZbin! As you always will be!

[@UKscalemodeller]

Great work as usual. the newer 'shake'n'bake' kits are great for reminding you that modeling can be straight (ish) forward and fun. KUTGW.

[@quickkits]

Thanks, and I agree, this was a fun little kit to make! Sometimes the more complex ones can drag

[@williamvasilakis9619]

Absolutley magnificent!

[@FerdySmith]

Painting the parts on the sprue is a genius idea, I will be getting a 1/48 red arrows kit so I will try painting the parts on the sprue

[@kylenicholson2674]

I got the same plane for Xmas but a lot bigger it took 2 weeks to make and paint. They look so good when they are finished

[@crosscountryskiingclubfans8693]

I usel watch other model builders but your my favorite

[@yibyabgt4193]

Wow thats awesome!

[@donlunceford6482]

Great job as per your usual. I'm always amazed by the quality of your hand painting skills. I like the improved quality of the new Airfix kits, but the panel lines on the Spitfire Mk1a looks way over 1/72 scale. I am building this kit at this time and plan on spraying it with Mr. Surfacer to try to make the panel lines less pronounced.

[@walter770]

excellent work!

[@henryvagincourt]

Very nice build, enjoyed it.

[@quickkits]

henryvagincourt thanks, I'm glad you did! :)

[@pedroalbicastrense353]

I like how u build your kits , simply , don't want a perfect model for a compétion . For me it's the don't like the rivet builders . So continue like this way and have FUN 👍 congrat's from Portugal

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much, I'm pleased that you appreciate my simple approach to model building :)

[@thebuffs3794]

Very impressive !

[@johnworts2178]

Excellent video Owen - I am not an expert modeller - and your step by step guide is very helpful and given me confidence to try this myself. I get fed up with so called experts - saying that you need to use such and such a colour - or look at real photos of the plane. That just puts me off and does it really matter what shade of green or brown you use. I just want to buy a kit and do it to the best of my ability. Keep up the good work and kits.

[@quickkits]

Thank you! I feel the same, I'd rather have fun making the kit and end up with something that looks cool than get caught up in all the tiny details

[@georgebrown6540]

Great work, a vrry enjoyable video too.

[@quickkits]

George Brown Thank you!

[@tesserakt54]

Very nice piece of work.

[@quickkits]

Thanks!

[@timcrow5162]

really useful content. great finish.

[@liamjh81]

Love watching these videos

[@quickkits]

Thanks! :D

[@alexg3348]

Great job!

[@hoodooedtanker5946]

You are getting about 10 subs per night... And so you should! Great work!

[@crazylcraftarts5569]

Looks so nice. Love your Videos.

[@quickkits]

+CrazylCraft TV thank you! :)

[@The_last_prime]

Nicely done

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

I have just started this kit but in series 2 . With the 2 blade propeller Duxford first squadron markings as well

[@hardihood1]

Amazing build

[@quickkits]

Thanks!

[@jjab99]

Great job mate!

[@quickkits]

jjab99 Thank you! :D

[@lhunt480]

Excellent and I wouldn’t dare criticise!

[@telescopereplicator]

Nice build. Not bad for such a small kit. Well done, Owen.At then of the video you said comments are welcome. Please allow me to to give you some help. And remember, these are constructive comments !! Not negative ones, in any sort or way !!* First, wash the sprues in tepid water with washing up liquid. This will help the paint to stick better.* Interior color: use Cockpit Green from Model Masters (Testors). It is a brighter, more accurate color.* Pilot seat: use a brighter, more reddish color brown. This part was made of Bakelite.* Paint the first layer with a thinned down paint. It will look transparent and messy. But one or two more layers with thicker paint will make it look perfect and not so messy !* The wheel wells were usually cockpit green, bare aluminium or duck egg green (underside color. Please refer to pictures for more info.* Revell provides more accurate colors !! Use 59 (Duck Egg Green, 68 (Dark Green) and 82 (Dark Earth). For a model of this size, you may want to add a drop of pale yellow (white 05 + Yellow 12) to lighten up the green and brown, especially since a clear coat may darken these colors. (Humbrol 29 and 30 really are too far off from the correct colors, please avoid them when painting a Spitfire.)* Use a flat, wide brush (1/2 inch) when painting large surfaces. * Airfix (and you ) did NOT add a crow bar on the small hatch ! This is correct. And NEVER paint them red !! They were not red until AFTER the war, in 1948. The usual color was cockpit green, sometimes black or bare metal. Crow bars can be seen from Mark V and on.* Propellor: semi gloss black (a VERY dark grey would be even better).* The Mark I had an antenna wire, leading to the vertical stabilizer. From the Mk.II on, they used a high frequency radio so the wire disappeared. Sometimes, wires can be seen on the left and right sides. These are IFF wires (Identification Friend or Foe) and can be seen during certain missions. See history books/websites for more info.* Be VERY careful with weathering, chipping and dark panel lines on a model as small as this one. It will look too much, too easily. Use it sparingly and moderately.* Revell 06 Tar Black is an ideal color for rubber tires.* The exhausts are very dark grey/black and dark brown. See pictures of the real airplane.* Add small details such as the Port and Starboard light (red and blueish green), but I think you did that, on this model ?

[@yehenadikari7269]

really well done!!!!!!!

[@quickkits]

Thanks!

[@Shiftyy777]

Beautiful

[@markwright5318]

Great build, would love to see a Avro Lancaster done!

[@donfoley1590]

Excellent again

[@gendoikari6062]

Very inspirational..! I need to go back to basics...My models look like a cacky mess of expensive pigments and washes.

[@yamaneko1992]

Very helpful,thanks

[@MrBioniclefan1]

Great build.

[@quickkits]

Gahlok12 Thank you!

[@MrBioniclefan1]

Quick Kits Your welcome.

[@03214360964]

nice work

[@davidrobinson9530]

Nice well done.

[@mayotzynxocoyotl5990]

Me gustan mucho tus vídeos y tus técnicas, también pinto mis modelos con pinceles aún... pero los tuyos quedan exceléntes.. muchas felicidades...!!

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

Excellent build. Really enjoy all this information. Love the chalk powder idea. During your build could you slow a few things down so we can get a real good look? Thanks man.👍👍🇨🇦

[@38dragoon38]

I just had a look at this same aircraft which Airfix produce in 1/24 scale. On this larger scale it shows that the propeller blades should have a yellow tip (Humbrol 24). I guess that, with these "starter" kits which include paints, they no longer add the non-included paint colours due to customers complaining about their absence.

[@owenfletcher3479]

Look amazing look really realistic

[@quickkits]

Thank you!

[@boyseboosted7655]

Hey I love ur vids, keep it up dude 😀

[@PanzermansBunker]

Spectacular Spitfire......construction, painting, and weathering are all top notch works. No pilot figure????????. Bill.

[@quickkits]

Thanks! I didn't put the pilot in because I'm thinking of possibly making a diorama with some ground crew and stuff

[@Hargravity]

Liked and suscribed. Im just getting back into the Airfix hobby by building a Short Stirling.

[@jaimerote3497]

Good tip using a pencil,thanks , great work