Spitfire XVI Dual Combo
Spitfire is late war development, which enter service in 1944. Its feature was Packard license built engine and most of them had clipped wings which give em great roll rate. They have been built in two major versions, with razor back and bubble top. Nice looking machine at all and Eduard did made this machine in 1/72 scale and nice to have also 1/72 scale too.
Kit under stock code 2117 is dual combo kit so you have two kits inside. Each kit have seven plastic frets with parts (one is transparent), pre painted etched set and protective mask. There is decals set, separate for stencils and national insignia and all double. Bulk of material when you open the box so full time job just to arrange material. As well Eduard kits have many features, good thing is first to make study of what sample kit you will make and then to take attention during assembly.
Work on kits going side by side, Eduard provide steps for one version first, razor back first then bubble canopy and interesting that assembly start with wings. Parts are not the same for cockpit as well fuselage so take great care when work on kit. Wheel bay is made from few elements and it is good detailed. Cockpit is detailed made and cockpit frames, floor and side wall is very good detailed. Cockpit interior color is grey green with some details in other color.
I would like to note that in assembly note photo etched part is wrong marked, instead of PE 23, have to be use PE 25. As well I note problems, I seen stronger mold line on landing gear parts B27 and B28, so they need additional work to get in good shape.
Parts are crisp shape and excellent merge so built goes precisely. Some elements have options like cooler radiator, which flap can adjust and cement in other angle as well pilot cockpit which can be made open or closed with side flap which also can be open or closed. Kit also provides parts for bombs and various fuel tanks, use it at need, so study photos of actual plane you built and then decide of their use.
Sample machine I decide to built is Spitfire XVI from No. 349 Squadron, code D GE and register TD900. I decide to step a bit from Eduard proposed painting as well I find few photos of this machine so I did not use decals 25/25 and 23/65 on side fuselage, just decals 56. Also I have made some area in bare metal as well I have seen peel of paint on some areas. Spinner is also difficult, on photo I have seen it is dark color, can be blue or red, I decide to paint it blue. This machine pass through changes in its service, so look I have did here is just one of them, finally this machine was all silver but very short lived in this pattern.
Kit is so good, I like it much. Details is great, easy to do, great options for decals! Highly recommend it and big thanks to Eduard for free sample kit. And yes- your sample is here!
Srecko Bradic
