Spitfire Mk IX - 1/48 - ICM 48061 Build with RAF figure

[@cosmarendy8417]

Thanks, I have this kit to build. In the past I’ve had mixed experiences with ICM models. Your video has encouraged me somewhat.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Yes the older ICM kits are not always that good or require some extra work, but their latest models are a big step up I noticed. Thanks for the comment

[@ericbeaton7211]

Really enjoyed your video. I have ordered myself a couple of ICM Spitfires and because I had read a couple of mixed reviews I was curious as to the quality of these kits. You have done a really good job on the paint finish on the spitfire and the pilot figure.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks for the comment and have fun with the kits 👍 cheers

[@grizzly4736]

Awesome build. I had been wondering about the quality of the ICM kits. Particularly this MK IX Spitfire.

[@tonimancer8075]

Great build and well explained have subscribed and will now look at your other videos.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks for the kind words Toni, means a lot 👍 cheers

[@davidroberts2777]

That is a good looking model. Well done.

[@jackpreston8762]

Excellent, looking forward to seeing more from your channel, thank you....

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks Jack!

[@jr7392]

Nice video and result for the kit. I have a couple of these ready to build, one Mk VIII that I plan to do in U.S. markings and one Mk IXc as part of the "Moscow Air Defence" set that also has a MiG-3 and Yak-7. Good to know of the issues beforehand. I hate putty and will spend a lot of time shaving plastic or adding it if a part is too small and leaves a gap. If all else fails I will use CA and baking soda. Most kits I have found you can figure out what's causing the gap and resolve it without using putty. I have heard the major issue with ICM Spitfires is that if you use the engine parts, then you won't be able to close the top of the cowling.

[@ЕвгенийСлинкин-с4з]

Коротки ролик, но все понятно объяснено. Отличная работа.

[@fishtacoguy]

I am currently building an ICM Spitfire (beer hauler version #48060), and had the same fitment issues. I also had clearance issues with the hood and top of engine; the firewall seems to be too large for proper alignment, much sanding was required. Gaps exist along the wing to fuselage as well. I am filling and sanding these gaps in several areas, I hope a few coats of primer with help to even these areas out prior to painting.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Hi Brain, thanks for confirming the fitting issues, the model needs quite a bit of filler indeed. Try to get it as smooth as you can before adding primer, then one or two coats of primer should work fine. Goodluck and have fun 👍 Cheers

[@jimmytgoose476]

I don't remember using any filler on mine at all..... I test fitted all of the fuselage parts and they went together fine but i suspected the cowlings wouldnt go on over the engine . I left off as many of the engine parts as i could and cut away anything that wasn't connected to the propeller or exhausts and everything worked out 🙂

[@grownjohnboy]

Thank you for your excellent review. I just ordered this kit. After watching you assemble yours, I am looking forward to building it this Winter.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Nice to read that John, have fun this winter 👍 cheers

[@grownjohnboy]

@@stevenshobbychannel I have it in my stash now.

[@grownjohnboy]

It was missing the two outside halves of the engine. I scavenged the sprue tabs that were close to the same length. I am painting it now. I bought an Eduard Cockpit set to improve the interior. The kit is nicely detailed. It has an nice engine that if you take lots of time to fiddle and file, makes a nice feature for a diorama. I will toss it into a contest ring in March.

[@pswift586]

Incredible detail and painting skills! Superb 🙂

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks! Glad you like the model 👍

[@DansModelBench]

Nice job.

[@iangoldstraw6002]

Nice Spit.. Had similar problems with mine as regards the sink marks on the wings by the ailerons....

[@swing.wing_singh]

Beautifully done. Nice videography too.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks for the kind comment, means a lot!

[@ivanbrovkin4132]

Классная работа!

[@TheGreywulff]

Well done !! 😊

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks!

[@marting9318]

well done very good job

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks Martin!

[@babel232]

I had same issues with the front lower and upper cowlings , i bought 2 of this kit off ebay, I also have huge gaps at wings hopefully i can watch videos like this one and figure out how to build the next one better.. the price for the amount of detail is really good, but I'm just getting back into model building after 30 years away from it.. may not have been best choice for getting back into the hobby.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks for the comment, great to hear you got back into the hobby. A lot has changed over the years, modern kits are usually well engineered but pricy. These ICM kits can be found for a good price but looking back on them I wouldn't recommend them either for a beginner. They need some extra work which might discourage some people just starting out. In the end it really differs from person to person, so it's hard to make any recommendations if you're not aware of someone's skill level. Thanks and have fun 👍 cheers

[@stuartosborne6263]

Wow!

[@johnmclean6498]

This is a beautiful job. I think some modellers take the weathering too far. Less is more for me as apart from Malta and the desert, the aircraft were looked after pretty well from the photos I have seen. I would have added some chipping on the engine cover dzus fasteners though. Overall - a superb job. I don't think the antenna wire was necessary, but I could be wrong...

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks for the feedback John, I also think some models are too heavily weathered, it's a very subtle art to get it right and every modeler thinks differently about it. I find mine a bit too clean sometimes. The chipping could definitely be improved indeed. I had my doubts on the aerial too, it seems like they used multiple types of radio equipment in mk IX's, one of my books (Owners' Workshop Manual by Haynes) even showed the 'friend or foe (IFF)' wires connected to the horizontal stabilizer but I didn't put those on. Cheers

[@johnmclean6498]

@@stevenshobbychannel Never forget....all the aircraft were factory new once ;-) I intend doing a Spit IXc in 32nd soon which will look just like yours...I hope. I'm interested to look at videos of todays airshow shots for exhaust and belly staining - subtlety is the key.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

True that ;). Have fun with your 1/32 build! Cheers

[@felipfelop8220]

Thank you for the insight and your colour choice which many model builders dont add,which colour did you use for your prop spinner in this case,great build

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks, glad you like the video, the prop spinner was painted with 'Vallejo duck egg green 71.009', but a little bit of white paint was mixed with the duck egg green to lighten it a bit. Cheers

[@babel232]

@@stevenshobbychannel I ended up using AK11844 Raf Sky on the spinner and tail stripe. I haven't tried any Vallejo paints yet, but do love their white acrylic putty now. at least for the smaller line gaps, I find it better and easier than Tamiya putty to work with and cleans up so easy, hardly need any sanding to finish in most applications.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Sounds good 👍 Yes acrylic putty is easy to use and clean indeed. Tamiya putty is also good but dries very fast. Have fun

[@TheCombatartist]

Very nice. Never use white for your eyes - never.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks Tony, yes made that mistake a few times in the past 😅

[@willneve7306]

It’s me again, final comment as I know I’m spamming now 😂 what Matt coat do you use after decals are done to make whole model less shiny ?

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Hi Will :D, on this model I used the 'Matt lucky varnish' from ammo, but also used the Vallejo matt varnish on some models.

[@jimmytgoose476]

I built this kit 20 years ago ; i liked it 🙂 Until the Eduard kit arrived it was the only Mk. IX worth bothering with - the Hasegawa kit is dire .

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Yes after 20 years the kit is still fun to build, perhaps there's a bit more flash on the parts now. I haven't yet tried the Hasegawa kit but that might be a good thing after reading your comment 🙂 cheers

[@jimmytgoose476]

Their Mk.V is very nice but the IX has serious proportional and dimensional issues ; you don't need scale plans or a vernier, you can see it's wrong . It was very popular because it was made by Hasegawa and is easy to build - some people are just easily pleased .... However, if you want to see a REAL horror check out the Airfix Mk. IX . After their terrific Lightning, Spitfire 22/24 and Seafire 47 kits i was expecting great things . It's terrible....and i bought 2 of them ! Needless to say when they brought out the Mk. XII i checked the box contents before buying . And - it's a lovely kit . Go figure 😃

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thanks for the intel on the different kits, I always head to Scalemates for a review before buying a new kit but you never know how honnest (sponsored) they are. Cheers 👍

[@jimmytgoose476]

Indeed . I don't look at that site anymore because it feels like someone is trying to sell me something....

[@marvinbanka7592]

I've built the different marks of Spitfires from ICM first. Then looked to other manufacturers for other marks.

[@stevenshobbychannel]

I think that's a good thing to do Marvin, the ICM kits are cheap and fun but have less detail than most other brands, so might be a disappointment if one has already built expensive kits... Cheers

[@marvinbanka7592]

No disappointment to me. On my display shelf an ICM Spitfire looks as good as the latest Eduard kit.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Ditto 🙂

[@hammmodjabeer7278]

German fighters are prettier in the plastic model.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Hahaha yeah....riiiight....🤣

[@organicpaul]

Lovely model and video!

[@stevenshobbychannel]

Thank for the kind comment! 👍