Airfix 172nd Supermarine Spitfire MK1A Step By Step Full Build

Airfix 172nd Supermarine Spitfire MK1A Step By Step 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
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.

Airfix Spitfire MK1 Decals Applied
Airfix Spitfire MK1 Decals Applied.

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.

Spitfire Model Completed
Spitfire Model Completed.
Prop And Nose Of The Spitfire Airfix Scale Model
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.
Underside Of The Wings Spitfire Model
Underside Of The Wings Spitfire Model.
Close Up Of The Underside Of The Spitfire
Close Up Of The Underside Of The Spitfire.
Underside Of The Spitfire Wings
Underside Of The Spitfire Wings.
Airfix Spitfire Model Underside
Airfix Spitfire Model Underside.
Airfix Scale Model Spitfire Kit Painted And Weathered
Airfix Scale Model Spitfire Kit Painted And Weathered.
Royal Air Force Spitfire Model
Royal Air Force Spitfire Model.
RAF Spitfire Model Kit From Airfix
RAF Spitfire Model Kit From Airfix.
Rear Of The Spitfire Model Kit
Rear Of The Spitfire Model Kit.
The New Tool Airfix Spitfire Model
The New Tool Airfix Spitfire Model.
172nd Airfix Spitfire New Tool
172nd Airfix Spitfire New Tool
172nd Airfix Spitfire Scale Model Kit
172nd Airfix Spitfire Scale Model Kit.

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.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE AIRFIX SPITFIRE MK1A