Czech Master Resin 1/72
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Introduction
The latest kit in this series evidencing CMR’s intent to kit every mark of Spitfire is the F. Mk.IXE/XVIE in International Service.
The histories of these marks have been set out in previous reviews in Internet Modeler so I will not bore you with another reprise.
The Kit
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All CMR kits are similar; the main difference is that each is better than the last. Many of the newer issues, as does this one, include painting masks and pre-painted, photo-etched details by Eduard. Most kit parts are cast in CMR’s standard pale cream polyurethane resin and are consistently free of bubbles and voids. Most parts, though, have a feed-bar attached and some parts have thin webs of “flash” to permit the resin to fill the mold. This is normal for resin parts cast in Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) rubber molds. Landing gear, wing struts, and other strength sensitive parts, are cast in extra strength black resin.
Incredibly, this kit includes three complete wings to cater for the markings provided. The markings cover planes from:
The Royal Norwegian Air Force,
The French Air Force,
The South African Air Force and
RAF Polish Squadron 302.
Conclusion
This latest kit in CMR’s Spitfire series is simply the best yet.
CMR’s kits are expensive but there’s a lot of kit in each box and you’ll never find the same wide range of subjects in mass produced, injection-molded polystyrene kits form the major manufacturers.
The only improvement I’d suggest is that CMR cast the stabilizers and elevators in their kits as separate parts in the future as almost all photos of Spitfires show the elevators hanging down against the stops.
Although there are a lot of Spitfires not yet kitted – fear not; I’m sure CMR will get to them all by-and-by.
Hannants have this kit for 26.99 pounds ($53.45); Squadron Mail Order has them for a few dollars more.
Thanks to Czech Master Resin for providing the kit for this review.
References
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You really need only one key reference to build any Spitfire:
Spitfire – The History: Eric B. Morgan & Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, UK, 1987/2000, ISBN 0-946219-48-6.
