I would like to enter this GB with This …....
A kit that I am sure is familiar to most here, but is actually my very first Tamiya Kit !
.A Bit of (Boring) Background.
I first started modelling as a young kid. I had been rather ill from the age of 3 and so the usual stuff that kids doing (ie going outside to play etc) were pretty much off for me. As a result of this, my parents looked for things to keep me from going insane that I could do in the house. Started by reading loads of books etc then as I became older and with the results of Radio Therapy still playing havoc with my immune system, I decided that I wanted to try “One of those model things that Dad Does).
Most of the models that I got were a way of spending my Pocket money at the local Fords store (showing my age now !) and were basically cheap 1/72 Airfix kits of the time (were are talking early 80's now).
They were mainly stuck together with Airfix Cement (Plus all of the thumb prints etcs that go with that and youthful inexperience) and for the most part I didnt even bother painting them as buying paint with a weeks pocket money would have meant not being able to get a kit that week!.
Like many I lost interest in favour of other things, (Guitars and Computers mainly), until a few years ago.
When I saw the Tamiya OOB Build, I Figured I had to give it a go as I normally model OOB anyway with the only additions that I regularly include being seat belts made from masking tape (mainly due to the fact that I am a tight fisted old git and that there is too much month left at the end of the money
.Most of the kits that I threw together back when I was was young (avoiding cavemen and sabre tooth tigers) were Spitfire and I have to say, not much has changed !.
So enough waffle lets get down to it.
Background.
The Supermarine Spitfire, I am sure needs no introduction to most of the people here so I will keep this brief <insert applause as Jason has already waffled enough>.
Regarded by many as one of the most aesthetically please of the single seater prop driven aircraft of all time, the Spitfire was designed by the brilliant R J Mitchell. It was initially to be names the Shrew until it was decided that a more menacing name was required Enter the Spitfire.
The aircraft was an advanced low winged monoplane incorporating a steel flush riveted metal skin and the now world famous Rolls Royce Merlin engine.
The Early MK I spitfires used a fixed pitch propellor which through further development was replaced with more advance types, and eight 7.7 mm machine guns. This weaponry proved to be less effective than the cannons utilised by some of the Spitfire main adversaries ie the BF 109.
The spitfire's maiden flight was on 5th march 1936 and the aircraft is the only one to be produced for the entire duratio of the second wold war.
No fewer than 24 different marks of spitfire were produces and a total of over 20,000 were produced.
The Kit.
As I said, this is my first Tamiya kit and I have heard many good things (and a few not so good) regarding the kit.
General opinion seems to be that it goes together well but suffers from having slightly incorrectly shaped wings, but hopefully nothing that cannot be corrected with the file
.The Kit can be build as an aircraft from 610 Sqn
or 92 Sqn
On opening the box, I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality of the mouldings. All parts have subtle recessed panel lines and for the most part are flash free.
Sprue 1 : Wings
Sprue 2: The Rest
Clear Parts:
These appear well, ….clear. With little distortion and should be fine.
I am also very impressed with the quality of the instrument panel.
and the Pilot figure. The Tyres even have Dunlop on the side !
The decals included with the kit appear to be in good register and not too thick but time will tell.
one thing that is new to me though is the inclusion of what appear to be white backgrounds for the roundels. Not sure why this is included but I suspect that it is either to add the white edging to them where required or to ensure that base colours do not show througe again I am am sure I will work this out later.
Anyway, thats all from me for now, really looking forward to this build and wathcing all other the other build on the GB, good luck all.
Jason.
) managed to damage one of the rudder pedals. Not the end of the world as I doubt very much that it will be seen as I intend to install the pilot. 
