Spitfire IX Brassin cockpit 1/72
Eduard have policy to wide support its plastic kits and all of their kit is provided with many additional options to upgrade it. So their Spitfire IX in 1/72 scale have a number of products, dedicated to one who want to make maximum from their kit. Many various sets is available for this kit and here is one very attractive, Spitfire Mk.IX cockpit.
This cockpit set is from Brassin series of products, it contain resin parts as well photo etched parts and in this case also transparent foil with printed gun sight glass. Product come in transparent plastic box case and its stock code is 672 112. Idea of this set is to completely replace all cockpit elements provided with basic kit, so you get entirely new cockpit. Main benefit is in extra details, resin cast can include more details then plastic injection parts and it is so welcome for subjects as this one.
So many parts is inside, more then some kits have in 1/72 scale. So take a breath and go. What I did first is paint all parts in interior Grey Green color and after it was dry, I have paint small elements in other colors, few are present there, black, silver and light grey. Next to do is apply a coat of very dark wash, this is why parts on some images look so dark. They was partially wash out to get some moderate level of parts contrast. Instruction is provided on three small leaflet and all steps are clear and explained. Starting from cockpit, there is variation in build, instrument panel include elements which can be used on Spitifire models c and e. I choose c as well this will be my final plastic kit. Main work is based on three sections, floor, left and right side panels. Floor include most of the parts, instrument panel, pilot controls, seat, frames and various small elements.
Take care when do some elements, like pilot seat. It is consisted from resin seat, pilot belts, rear etched plate and construction. Note to make small gap when you set seat on rear plate, there have to be placed seat belts. Photo etched parts PE20 and 21 allow to put this plate on seat with very small gap. When complete seat, it goes on frame and take care as well entire construction is sensitive and can be fragile. On this seat frame is at top head rest, Eduard provide two types, take a look on photos of actual subject you are built, to be sure you choose right one.
When floor is completed, it is placed between side panels. This side panels are so detailed, many elements are included on them and few need to be add. They have visible lines where floor with its elements need to be placed. Once they are placed, it is almost ready to put it in fuselage. Fuselage sides from original kit include framing elements which need to be cut. One photo show red marks where to cut and sand but you have it also in kit explained. Then there come photo etched wall and some small resin parts. No idea why but I forget to take photo when this step was completed, sorry for that.
In original instruction, you cement cockpit section in one of fuselage side and then close with another fuselage side. I try different and it work, I have cemented fuselage sides first but I cement only rear section, up to cockpit. Then I push cockpit section from bottom and it work perfect! But better follow Eduard instruction, I just try option. When it find its place inside fuselage, I cement gun sight at top of instrument panel. By instruction, it have to be done much before but I know my self, I could crash this tiny part during work so it is far safer like this. Part which is not included in this photo is resin rear view mirror. It goes on windshield. To manage fuselage to fit wings, inner surface of the bottom wing need to be grind and sand to remove some extra material and make gap where bottom of Brassin cockpit can rest.
Excellent set!! Not for beginners definitely, need some experience. Parts are so precise, I see absolute no problem in work with. Material is so easy cut and sand. Final result is so detailed cockpit and it is more then recommended. Big thanks to Eduard for sample product and you can find your sample here! And yes, for evaluation of this product, I use Eduard Overstress kit Spitfire, 70121X.
Srecko Bradic
