Brengun 1/72 Airfix Spitfire Mk.IX Photoetch
By Matt Bittner
Some might think any 1/72 Mk.IX has been superceded by the AZmodel release, but the Airfix kit is still viable, especially given the cost and availability. I have one in my stash and was hoping for some aftermarket to spice up at least the cockpit. This set from Brengun definitely fills the bill.
While you'll have to perform a little bit of surgery on the kit, it's nothing difficult at all. You'll just need to remove some areas of the cockpit that is used to place the kit cockpit pieces. Plus, if you want to display the cockpit door opened, you'll need to remove that from the kit plastic as well. Now that you have that out of the way, you can start assembling the photoetch pieces.
The photoetch includes all sorts of "bits-and-bobs" to add to the cockpit, such as a new throttle quadrant, etc. Brengun provides a really nice fold-up, multi-piece control column that will really look great. There is new sidewall detail which, after installed into the fuselage halves, you'll add all the "bits-and-bobs" assembled prior. The instrument panel is a "sandwich" affair using a clear plastic film and photoetch pieces. Plus you'll need to build up the compass to add to the bottom of the panel.
The floor is added to the rear bulkhead, which also receives the pieces the seat will sit on. You'll build up the seat from folding and other multiple pieces, plus add the seat belts to. This is added to the bulkhead/floor assembly, along with the control column, to provide a nice representation of the cockpit.
As was already mentioned, if you decided to display the cockpit door open, you'll now fold and build-up the photoetch cockpit door, along with the radio and shelf. Yes, Brengun provides the radio and its shelf to be used if you want to cut open the radio door on the port cockpit side. Brengun also provides a new door that will remain opened after the pieces are installed.
In addition to all that excellent interior detail, Brengun gives you radiator "grills" for the front and back of most radiators and intakes. Plus they provide a piece that will enhance the interior of the main landing gear wells. You'll also want to cut-off and discard the main landing gear doors (which, in the kit, are attached to the landing gear) as Brengun provides replacements for those as well. Finally, you receive new hubs for the wheels; two different types according to the version being built.
This is an excellent set to add plenty of detail to a very capable kit. By all means pick this set up if you have an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk.IX you need to build.
Huge thanks to Brengun for sending this set to review.