The BEST Aircraft Model Kit EVER? Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk. I (1), Full Build

[@johnvcougar]

Tamiya still rule the plastic model industry! I was building their stuff in the 1970s! What a legacy!

[@hemana3859]

This was the only thing i wanted as a kid. That was 50+ years ago now, and it was just a plane, and stickers. No other bells or whistles. What a true enthusiast you are. Its nice watching people who do things with such precision. Anyways, its 50 years later and i can still smell the glue that came out of the wee ali tube. As for models, i was terrible. Clumsy with my hands, no finesse, lol. Fine with a guitar, or a rugby ball or pretty much anything else. It took me 20 years to become an "adequate" wood carver, so now im just starting out. And that was only coz i refused to give up on carving.

[@megawave79]

Awesome

[@royfernley3153]

Ah yes, that little tube of glue with a pin put down the nozzle when mum wanted the kitchen table back.

[@johnjephcote7636]

Yes. I still remember the 1950s Airfix Spitfire I. Just 2/- (10p) from Woolworths in Watford High Street.

[@richardstewart6900]

Yep, same here. Just stumbled across this ... and stayed to watch. Both the models and techniques/equipment are a bit different from when I was last modelling but great to watch.

[@jazzmusician46]

It’s wonderful to read you’re back in the saddle again. Same here and enjoying the experience. Keep on practicing and you’ll get better. I’m onto my 6th build now and am working on a 1/32 scale model plane. So much more detail to consider, but lots of fun. Take care and enjoy.

[@johnaldred6864]

Had hours of fun making airfix models as a kid back in the 1960s.....loved them...!

[@johnford6967]

Yep! Going to the model shop in the 70s was the thing to do

[@timeandspace_3.142]

KZbin randomly suggested this to me. Loved your enthusiasm for the kit, kept me watching

[@jamescarr1467]

I never knew about the depth of these kits. As a young lad I pinched an Airfix Spitfire from Woolworths in the UK. I was caught and ended up crying my eyes out. They let me go and I never shoplifted again--ever.

[@normg2242]

Sweet memories, I've been there...lol

[@markb5985]

I got caught in woolies too 😉 if i remember correctly it was packets of "segs" to sell at school 🙈

[@mickdebergerac1143]

@@markb5985 HA HA ... sooo right

[@mjh5437]

@@markb5985 aka Blakey`s heel tips.

[@leedobson]

I stole an etched set for a Tamiya tiger 1 ( I had the main kit )....but felt so guilty...the next day I went back to the shop and put it back

[@BrianSimons-y6l]

40 some years ago when I was building model planes, I seem to remember Duck Egg Blue as being the recommended paint for the underside of the spitfires and hurricanes.

[@ianjackson7515]

One of your best builds matey, well modelled. The 'blue' underside was more common than folks think, officially we know that Sky Type S was the Ministry preffered colour but some references say as many as 30% of the Spits, Hurricanes & Gladiators wore a blue underside. I was told by a Blenheim pilot and model builder (his squadron shared an airfield with a couple of Hurricane units in Spring 1940), that all of those Hurri's were blue underneath whilst the Blenheims were still painted aluminium - the squadron boss was impressed enough to send the maintenance team to the local Woolworths and buy-up as much pale blue paint as they could so they could match the Blenheims to the Hurricanes. The punchline is, that the Blenheims were sent to another station before they could paint a single aircraft and the Hurri's 'inherited' all the tins of unopened Woolies blue emulsion !! Best from NZ.

[@paulwilson7622]

Your patience and attention to detail is mibd boggling

[@garrygraham7901]

I remember as a 13 year old back in 1971 building one of these. I was as rough as guts, but I will never forget the satisfaction I felt at building several WW2 aircraft, the Mk 1 Spitfire being the best of all.

[@Gahdammitcuz]

I'm gonna get a Messerschmitt Model soon, and can't wait to build it! 😃

[@JamesWhite-oi9lx]

My schoolfriend (next door neighbour) and I used to build models every week. Awful results - glue finger marks everywhere and decals slapped onto the bare, unpainted plastic!! We could never afford paints! My pride and joy was when I persuaded my mum to buy me the 1/24 Messerschmitt Bf. 109 from Airfix. £25 if I remember correctly - lot of money in the early 70s. Used to play with it with my 1/32 Airfix soldiers. Happy days.

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

This build just popped up randomly (I usually get all sorts of model railroad vids suggested) but I used to do a lot of plastic until about 15 years ago when I began moving about too much, then concentrating on photography in depth. I miss building and may someday return to it, for it was always very rewarding. I grew up in the 70s with the old generation of injection molding that left so much to be desired and correcting manufacturing defects or poorly executed details was simply part of the process. This model is beautifully finished and shows just how incredible modern day molds have become. I remember when the photo-etched details entered model railroading and they obviously add all the more when coupled with the plastic models, as well. Thanks for sharing this build, even if I'm witnessing the video a couple of years after the fact. Well done!

[@iainstirling1475]

You've got to love a Spitfire! Iconic.

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

😮😮😮DUDE ! !, THANK you for modelling LZ- N she was one of my DAD's charges during BoB with 66Sqdn. When the Revell 1/32 Spitfire first came out, I HAD to paint on the LZ-D codes as I have several photos of him fondly standing next to "HIS Kites".😊Many Thanks, and a great build BTW

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Great breakdown of the kit! Will be looking to add one of these to the stash now 😄

[@rerun3283]

I made this when I was a kid. My dad taught me what MK 1 meant in the car home from the model shop. It's a nice memory.

[@petewarby7158]

Really nice video. I'm 54 now and hasn't built a model since childhood. My wife bought me an Airfix model of a Lancaster a couple of years ago when i was trying to recover from Covid. Worst kit ever, missing parts, poor alignment. Good to see there is a decent kit maker out there still. Thanks for sharing the build.

[@oscaromeara8193]

Airfix these days (like 2022/23 onwards) have stepped up their game massively, their new toolings and kits are now top notch. I’ve built their lancaster, wasn’t the best but i dont remember anything wrong with it tbh

[@petewarby7158]

@oscaromeara8193 I think the worst bit was missing parts. I believe it cost several £ per part and I was missing 3 w which was going to hold up the build which I was enjoying. I don't mind a little fettling if I'm honest but numerous missing parts made me lose interest. I'll try a different manufacturer... I hear good things about Tamiya?

[@mikeandalicescott]

Thanks for a great, instructional video. Well done. It is so good that you talk and explain things rather than play some stupid music throughout the video like a lot of model video makers do. This rookie thanks you for the assistance!

[@weschaffin]

As a yank, to me this has to be the most sexiest fighter of WW2. Plus hearing a Brit narrate brings it altogether.

[@royfernley3153]

Apple TV have a documentary about the Spitfire. Absolutely beautiful film, the hi def images of the Spitfire over the White Cliffs on a sunny day are truly amazing.

[@Ronno4691]

As a Brit, the design sensibilities of the British, German and American WW2 aeroplanes are so distinctive; the USAF were sporty, sleek and streamlined. The German bombers and fighters were stark, functional and Brutalist in design and the RAF had a refined and stylish but understated look to them - not as attractive as the USAF Mustang or the Amazing twin boom Lightning but all of them having their own appealing qualities like...beauty being in the eye of the beholder :-)

[@leglessinoz]

Mitchell designed a beautiful plane.

[@leglessinoz]

​@Fraxinus! Apparently the P-38 Lightning was a bit of a nightmare to fly.

[@MontyBird45]

Good grief! I never realized this kind of realism could be achieved with a model kit. Nicely done!

[@hokehinson5987]

Nice finish! Enjoyed our modeling days. Later made some aerial fight scenes using 1/72 scale for the boys room. Then went into 1/48 scale war Byrds. Sadly they don't survive cub scout show & tell and friends...it was fun while it lasted. Back in the day we used a water based paint called Polly. The oil paints were out of vogue for serious builders. Used the oil paints as a base for weathering. The poly was great to work with air brush or with a nice fine hair brush. Very easy to chip away...in our day we used white Elmer's glue or putty to fill serious gaps. Revelle was our major go to kit...or monogram.

[@stevewyatt9546]

Just ordered mine! Thanks for sharing great build

[@markjones127]

I made loads of models as a kid and even worked as a sculptor/artist in the potteries for a few years so recently I've been looking into doing a few models again and this looks like the perfect starter kit, as a kid I used to visit an uncle who lived at RAF Sealand as he was a security guard there, and I loved looking at the Spitfire they had on display there, such a beautiful aircraft, I hope my model turns out as good as yours!

[@robadzso]

Hey, not exactly a starter kit, I'd say it sits at the upper end of advanced kits. But if you feel like, go for it. If you're just coming back to the hobby I would say it's a handful. But a stellar kit throughout. Wales must be nice, I need to visit. 🎉

[@1966geordieboy]

Watched the whole thing through. Was a mediocre modeller when I was younger. Wish I had your skills and patience. 👍

[@keithpaquet9181]

great narrative style, enjoy your video series.

[@thecrow3380]

A fine job, and well presented, with a voice that doesn't ruin the whole thing. Excellent!

[@alansturgess1324]

NEVER seen a small plastic model as good as that - superb detail. Takes me back to my Airfix days as a lad!

[@robadzso]

The cockpit itself is a piece of art. The kit is stellar throughout.

[@pirobot668beta]

Well, my brother evaluates model kits professionally.... Seriously, I don't know if he still runs that business, but this looks right up his alley! Well made, well researched... He would build kits and modify them to match some historical 'war-bird'. He has several B-17 models in the Smithsonian; replicas of famed aircraft, every bullet-hole and flack-stain meticulously realized. We experimented with an air-rifle, sand-blasting grit and aluminum foil to make 'scale battle damage'. Air-rifle to propel a small charge of grit at high-speed, foil is perforated randomly to simulate flack damage. We shot dozens of bits of foil; he used ones that closely matched damage seen in photographs. Soot from the blast came from candle flames! He worked out a brittle paint for the foil that would break off, making 'bright rings' around every bullet hole! He did all sorts of diorama scenes: He did the artful stuff, I came up with 'micro-explosives' to damage his creations. We used 'wire-explosions'* to punch raggedy holes in Styrofoam sheets, then painted the surfaces to look like broken concrete and rebar, or bricks and mortar. *Discharging a high-voltage capacitor through a very fine wire often results in a powerful but tiny explosion. It could easily split a 2x4, but the explosion couldn't throw the pieces apart! No burn, but a dark smudge of vaporized copper in the hole that made convincing small-scale weapons damage.

[@Bibidybobidy]

Favorite plane. You did a great job. Excellent detail!

[@timcameron9023]

incredible build

[@davidharrington1133]

Ak Camouflage putty is fantastic and really simplifies the camo painting. Looks great, just bought one.

[@jdean2131]

I painted a picture of one when I was kid. It came out pretty good.

[@Chrisamos412]

Great teaching video for me, I haven’t done a model since a was a young teen, over 40yrs ago. I’m looking to take it up now that I have extra time in my life. I was a little gun shy as to where to start, but you have helped me with that! Thx again…I’ll be watching more of your content 👍🏻

[@tonymargiotta2745]

I started again after 40 years! The array of kits and materials is amazing. I love it probably more now than I did then

[@peterbellwood5412]

@@tonymargiotta2745 Welcome back fellas . Agree 100% on your comments , Tom .

[@MrSimonmcc]

Haven't done any model construction in years. After watching this I've I've just ordered the same kit 🤪

[@taketimeout2share]

Lol. Im tempted too . Last model made was 1972 when I left Prep School. 50 years ago. Bloody hell.

[@MrSimonmcc]

@@taketimeout2share mine just arrived from Japan. Not bad for postage to Canada, plus I saved around $40.

[@mytheoryofmind]

I grabbed it as well about a week or two ago, I’m still stuck on the cockpit. Haven’t had much time to work on it, but it’s been a great build so far. How is yours?

[@robadzso]

You won't be disappointed. It's a stellar kit throughout.

[@internetjunky3088]

My first model as a small kid was a Spitfire. It’s still after 60 years of living my favorite looking fighter. All the right lines in all the right places. Simple beautiful.

[@nikbarr1721]

brilliant job

[@EdBert]

I'm in the final stages of the Tamiya 1/32 Corsair. It is simply the most precise kit I've ever seen, some parts fit so tight it is almost a snap-in. Some parts are so tight that a layer of paint was too much. I've been out of modelling for the last 25-26 years, and I'm a little surprised, but happy, to hear that they are still the best in the industry.

[@jeremydemarco8697]

I just bought this model to have exact references, to start a high fidelity 3D model, I already bought an official Owner's workshop manual. I definitely fall in love with this iconic warbird !!!!

[@rickholmwood2000]

Wow I am picking up modeling again and have seen great painting and weathering and boy I wish I could do what you do. You are very good.

[@shannonmonroe5873]

You do an extremely good job on weathering. A lot of even top modelers tend to over do it IMO. I think I learned a lot from watching your gradual process which looks like it takes a while, and being conservative in the amount of my paint you use. Great video

[@scarybaldguy]

I did this kit a few months ago and completely agree, it's fantastic.

[@samantony7039]

Beautiful work.I’m new to modelling and always wanted to build a Spitfire.I found this video very informative and motivating.Thanks.

[@peterbellwood5412]

Welcome aboard Sam . Remember , it's fun . When you come across a problem , just have a break . ( Preferably , not the model .)

[@woodysmodellingdiary]

Just watched this and have to say that I really enjoyed your presentation style and I did learn some good tips from you. A great model built, painted and weathered with skill and passion! Thank you.

[@nielsferwerda7561]

Fantastic build

[@danhodson7187]

This randomly appeared in my timeline and it’s one of the most chilled and satisfying things I’ve ever seen. Just what I need right now. Can’t hang around though, I need to go and watch some more. Lovely work! 👌🏻

[@weejockpooplopmcplop]

ditto

[@Deceter]

You're not a modeller?

[@danhodson7187]

@@Deceter I collect Lego, maybe that’s how this squeezed into my feed 🧐

[@Deceter]

@@danhodson7187 Interesting! Well I've found watching people build and paint models to be very therapeutic. More so than doing it myself.

[@danhodson7187]

@@Deceter yeah I build Lego as part of Lego therapy, which is actually a thing, but this was also very relaxing to watch

[@neilhaas6024]

I enjoyed this video of the spitfire mk.1 nice kit aircraft.

[@bogrot69]

I just started this kit myself . Beautiful job you did here.

[@LeroyWaldner]

That's cool man

[@johnbehneman1546]

WOW!!!! I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH TAMIYA!!!! I HAVE NEVER BUILT A TAMIYA MODEL. I NEED TO BUY ONE!!!!

[@michaelnaven213]

That is one beautiful Spitfire.

[@zooniethelazoon]

See the 2 seat version flying over the Isle of Wight nearly every day. Yesterday 2 in formation. The sound makes your hair stand on end!!

[@johnbroomer3285]

You are a very lucky man! I would be quite happy having Spits fly past my house instead of the commercial jets we get.

[@jimherbert007]

I got a photo of those 2 in formation off of Gurnard - agree that they sounded epic

[@zooniethelazoon]

@@jimherbert007 that's where I was, walking my dog on the beach at Egypt point!

[@davedore6021]

Hopefully will be up in one of them for my 65th 😎

[@zooniethelazoon]

@@davedore6021 @ nearly 3 grand I envy you!!

[@1972jaye]

As a Father and fulltime worker. Tamiya allow me to stay in the hobby. I dont wanna waste time making something align or fit. Awesome stuff

[@iannicholls7476]

Nice, concise video with just the right amount of detail. Thanks Jason.

[@realdocloco]

Wow, Tamiya are still around? They were the top kit makers when I was a kid during the seventies! Thank you for the great video.

[@gto1066]

Erm, yes. They've never been away. Still massive.

[@stenalbertsen2440]

Excellent work 👍

[@simonbaker6962]

Ii had this one. The cockpit was pure art, the paint job was going very well. All I had to do was paint the green parts of the livery. Cat jumps onto my table and knocks this and another model onto the floor breaking both. I was more than miffed.

[@cygnus618]

And the cat is still alive?

[@mikes5637]

That would be a one way ticket to the nearest animal sanctuary for me.

[@brucewoods9377]

The reason I don’t have a cat as apet

[@Highly-grounded]

I personally find boiled cat rather appetising.

[@chriskeller8262]

Tamiya has the best 1/48 aircraft kits you can an buy. They’re the only ones that I’ve been able to put together and not have to wrestle with fit issues or giant gaps in obvious places. Just top notch kits.

[@roadweary5252]

I stopped modeling for a bit (armor) because I can’t weather for the life of me. I ruined several models trying many techniques so I became frustrated. Now I just build them and leave them as is and ill revisit them later on if my technique ever improves lol. You’re inspiring me to build by first aircraft.

[@mikemclennan8917]

Paint them, as normal, then leave them outside for a few years to weather naturally.

[@swaldron5558]

Simply after complete paints, playing war with German Bf 109, the weather & war scars will show.

[@AtheAetheling]

Some people just dont bother weathering. I only do a little bit myself. Dont let it discourage you!

[@oceanvibesphotography8395]

Every nice quiet. Unique with the red prop

[@ASFMitchelProductions]

I constructed 2 Spitfire balsa wood models when I was young.

[@wonderbreadmodelsandhistor1566]

Wow!!! Looks great!!! Not weathering too much is NOT an issue IMHO. Most builders today over weather...i think it goes in trends. This one is perfect...one of the nicest Spit builds ive seen imho.

[@supercededman]

Spot on. Some of the weathering I've seen has bordered on comical.

[@andrewbellavie795]

That looks like a great model kit, so satisfying when it all fits together

[@glennbarton3938]

Thanks for that build , loads of little tips & hints. I've recently got back into modelling after many years away & some of the washes & pigments you use give results that I couldn't have hoped to achieve previously.

[@robertjohnkemp]

One tiny detail that I think adds something is to flatspot or press onto a hot surface the tyres where they are going to stand. Seeing a perfectly circular wheel on a standing plane always looks a bit weird. Beautiful work!

[@peterbellwood5412]

Not too much , though . Even just a few swipes with a sanding stick may be enough .

[@granthubick8684]

The appropriate tire patch and sidewall bulge add scale mass to the model.

[@stevenshea990]

This is my first scale model since childhood. I guess it’s all downhill from here lol. A great kit and a joy to build/paint

[@jazzmusician46]

Thanks mate for showing us your techniques. I’m relatively new to this hobby after many years away from it all and am learning so much from your videos and others who produce videos as well. Thanks again and keep up the great work.

[@apenza4304]

Thank you for the clear and informative explanations during the building process, Bookmarked this video as a guide as I’d like to build one someday.

[@dkproductions3130]

Amazing work, keep up the great work

[@Deceter]

I really enjoy your style of presentation.

[@rogerpritchard]

Happy landings, thanks for sharing this with us.

[@gregperra2007]

Always enjoy your builds very nice work

[@Getting-Older]

Nice kit, like the attention to detail.

[@Mysmallhobby]

I agree completely with the title 👌

[@scotttait2197]

1st time watching your chanel ... have ti say impressed more by the skills and the way you describe it ... the kit engineering helps ...I started at about 6 years old in the 70s ... no one else in my house was interested so no help and back then there was no resources for a ymvery young kid to find out ..thats lost on young folk now... again great video

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. A TOTALLY AWSOME BUILD. AND A TOTALY AWSOME VIDEO. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@andrewstamford1988]

Hi all. Not having made a kit in many, many, many years I want to get back into modelling. You chaps are so tempting with your cool videos. So many new things though to re-educate myself with when it was only a knife, glue, a brush and some tins of Humbrol paint. Being a kid and knowing the result, the joy was simply in making it than appreciating the final effort! So, could someone answer this please? Back then it was carefully dab the Britfix or Testors onto an edge and press together, with hopefully no excess. But with something like Tamiya extra thin where you can dab anywhere close to the edges and capillary action draws it into the gap, does that bit on the surface cause any sort of blemish... a raised spot or affect the surface in any other way? It looks simple enough but I really sweat this small stuff! Yep, you guessed it, I haven't tried it on a real kit yet. Every time I plan to buy a few cheaper, simple kits to practice on, my city goes into lockdown and everything closes down, rather regularly. Thanks guys.

[@Super-Simo-B]

New to modeling, fantastic video and very entertaining. Great tips!

[@variable7833]

You did an amazing job. No crazy every freakin panel washes making it look like its a flying leaking oil drum. Great great job.

[@ErmIDK19]

I used to love making these models a few years back and got quite good at making and painting them .no where near your level tho . But there a great way of killing time on cold winters nights .watching you do this is making me want to buy some kits

[@celyda2]

I'm not a modeler, but I really enjoyed that. I'm glad the algorithm brought you into my feed. Thanks. And don't take this the wrong way, but to my American ears you do a remarkable impression of Jenson Button.

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Glad it was enjoyable and don’t worry we all sound like that down here

[@charlesanderson32]

Wonderful Tutorial, Thanks!

[@joeokabayashi8669]

Great build!

[@rogerkay8603]

Superb mate, great kit, build and video.

[@josecesar5952]

Excellent work

[@oliverhood7182]

Nicole says pretty cool. id have to agree. well done!

[@flybobbie1449]

Weathering just use cheap artist acrylic sets. Water based if you don't like what you see you have a few minutes to wash it off start again. Just add a drop of washing up liquid to break the water tension. Fix at various steps with matt or satin lacquer.

[@stumpusMaximus]

When I built my first AIRFIX models in the 60s as a child, I used a hot needle and (lighter supervised of course) and burned holes in the cockpit/wings to simulate bullet holes! Then I had them hung from a painted ceiling to simulate BoB. I even had AIRFIX waterline models of the Hood and Bismarck on my bedroom windowsill. Painted to simulate the rough sea. It’s funny that I’m now 60 on Sun and I’m a creative,DIY person all my life. Inc fixing the car(s) we had and making playgrounds for our budgies.

[@xjrthirteen]

Top build mate and well explained techniques, thanks for sharing 👍

[@ivancho5854]

I used to use India Ink to weather and add oil and grime when I was a kid. It was marvellous stuff and extremely effective. Good memories. Thanks.

[@jpspaintingstudios1032]

Just started on mine and it’s a superb piece of kit!!

[@gleggett3817]

hearing you say Tamiya the way I do rather than the more correct Tameeya adds to my enjoyment of the vid

[@rattusrattus5257]

I really loved the Eduard kit, it was a pleasure to build

[@cruzmzuniga8400]

very nice build and commentary. I also agree with that Tamiya kits are great kits to get your mojo back

[@montinaladine3264]

Awesome video - thanks for that. Really enjoyed it from start to finish, video quality and filmography and the narration was spot as well

[@martynastley267]

What a brilliant video. Great to watch with superb commentary. The perfect way to spend a few minutes when you cannot get to your own bench. Thank you!

[@j3colt]

Beautiful! I just finished a Revell 1/32 Spitfire that I worked on for 5 years. It was tedious and unfun. I wanted to throw it across the workshop a few times but with great persistence it is finally done. 🤪

[@royfernley3153]

Excellent work. Very enjoyable to watch with all the memories of struggling at the kitchen table with the latest Airfix model taking me down memory lane. So thank you for that, and congratulations on such a great build. Good job done well. .

[@robadzso]

F'oookin' stellar stuff all around. A Spitfire from an Englishman. What more could you ask for? Subscribed. Your no fuss, have fun approach win me over. 🎉🎉🎉

[@BAGHEAD1995]

Superb as always jason. What a kit!.

[@re-gamer]

Tamiya Kits (beside the bad ones) are so georgeus to build, it really decelerates my nerves and i take my time and wish it never ends. I agree that hard kits are much more satisfying when you get a good result out of it. I wish Tamiya would do more exotic planes. Tamiya, Eduard and Wingnut Wing kits are the best you can get and well worth the money.

[@icervoid]

Perfect decals work