Airfix 172nd Supermarine Spitfire MK1A Full Build

I was out with The Sam at a local Kent festival, after we left she wanted to go to a vegan cake shop so I got dragged along. It just so happened that opposite the bakery was a model shop. So as you do, I popped in for a look. To be honest I didn’t really need anything but I like to support local model shops whenever I can. So I found this little 1/72nd scale Supermarine Spitfire MK.1a. Now I haven’t picked up an Airfix model in over 20 years so this should be a fun little project.

Arfix 1/72 scale supermarine spitfire mk.1a — First Airfix Kit I Have Got My Hands On In Over 20 Years.

So you get 2 main Sprues and the canopy and a lot of decals. The detail is pretty incredible for the scale.

Airfix Supermarine Spitfire MK 1A Model Parts — All The Parts Of The Airfix Spitfire Laid Out.

A close up just to show off some of the amazing details Airfix have managed to cram into this Spitfire model.

The Amazing details on the airfix spitfire scale model — Some Of The Fine Details On The Spitfire Model.

Even the details on the inside of the cockpit body are insane. I have to say that Airfix has really upped their game.

Inside Of The Airfix 172nd Spitfire Cockpit — Close Up Details On The Inside Of The Spitfire Cockpit.

The first job is to get the inside of the body painted up with green and to give it a quick wash to bring out all the details.

Painted And pin washed the inside of the spitfire cockpit — Given The Inside Of The Cockpit A Coat Of Paint And A Quick Wash To Bring Out The Details.

On to the main part of the cockpit. The tooling is so nice, the parts fit together very nicely and the detail is brilliant.

The finished control panel and seat in the spitfire — Fitted Together The Inside Of The Cockpit, Once Again A Whole Lot Of Details.

While the paint dries on the cockpit I have moved on to the wings. Only a tiny bit of flashing that needed trimming and again the parts fit together brilliantly.

stuck together the wings on the airfix model spitfire — Stuck The Wings Together Just Holding Them In Place With Some Masking Tape.

Next, the fuselage gets joined together as well as the cockpit seating and controls fitted inside.

Sticking Together The Body Of The Airfix Spitfire Model — Joining Together The Two Halves Of The Body.

The wings and body meet together, again, these are very neat, I don’t even think I will need to do any filling on this one.

Bottom Side Of The Wings On The Spitfire Model — The Underside Of The Spitfire Model.

Another close up photo of all that delicious detail they have crammed into this kit. When I start to do pin washes this should look amazing.

The Details On The Underside Of The Spitfire Wings — A Quick Close Up Of The Underside Of The Wings Just To Show How Much Detail There Is.

Added on the canopy, used glue and glaze, I will wait for it to completely dry before cleaning off any glue residue.

Most On The Body Is Done On The Airfix — Joined The Wings And Body And Fitted The Cockpit Canopy.

Tail Attached And Ready For Painting The Airfix 172nd spitfire Model — Tail Attached And Ready For Painting.

That is basically the build mostly completed. Now I need to do some painting then finish the smaller parts.

The Spitfire Masked And Ready For Painting — Under Carriage Painted And Masked Off.

From the instructions, it would appear the underside is completely silver, So I have given it a coat of Tamiya Titanium Silver and now masked it off. Next a coat of RAF green. So far it is looking pretty nice.

First Coat Of RAF Green Paint On The Airfix Spitfire Model — First Coat Of RAF Green Paint On The Spitfire.

Trying Out The Green Stuff Masking Putty On The Airfix Spitfire Model — Trying Out The Masking Putty.

Tried out some masking putty from green stuff world. The model has been given a coat of Flat Earth from Tamiya.

Painted The 172nd Spitfire With Tamiya Flat Earth — Coat Of Tamiya Flat Earth.

Masking Putty Removed To Leave A Camo Pattern On The Airfix Spitfire Model — Masking Putty Removed.

Gloss Varnish Applied Next Onto The Decals.

The Spitfire Landing Gear Painted And With A Wash Applied — The Landing Gear Painted And With A Wash Applied.

The gloss varnish has been applied and now the decals. There are an absolute load of decals with this kit. Once applied a quick coat of decal softener to allow the decal to fall into all the recesses.

So that’s the model complete. Decals are on and now just panel line wash and a little bit of black pigment and then I’m calling it done.

Prop And Nose Of The Spitfire Airfix Scale Model.

Top Of The Wings And Nose Spitfire 172nd Scale Model — Top Of The Wings And Nose.

Close Up Of The Underside Of The Spitfire.

Airfix Scale Model Spitfire Kit Painted And Weathered.

It has been a fun little build. I have learnt a few things along the way. I need to remember to fill the gaps, mask the canopy better and more practice on decals. I am however pretty happy with this for a first Scale Aircraft Model Build.