SPA Modeler

Hi All,

I had a look through John's kit collection (I converted it into a Excel Spreadsheet) and it turns out I have a few kits in my stash that match - this being one of them - Tamiya's recent 1/48 Spitfire mk.I.



This fits in well with one of my modelling aims this year, which is to build some more WWII fighters in 1/48. For this build, I'll be building an aircraft that flew cover for the evacuation of Dunkirk, where the Luftwaffe first really got a taste of getting their arse kicked.



Here's where I am so far - building sub-assemblies for the cockpit. The fit of these parts is truly exceptional!



More to follow - I'm really glad to be building this in John's memory.

Cheers!

Very cool! Can't wait to see your build.

Looks like a beautiful kit Stuart and you are off to a quick start! Will be keeping an eye on this one for sure!

I’m going to enjoy watch this one! Isn’t this the newer Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I and not their older 1/48 kit of the same type?

The Spitfire Mk.I is on my must build list.

Based on the box art and Scalemates I think it's the new tool from 2018

I've always been curious... why one half of wing black?

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:36 am I've always been curious... why one half of wing black?

It was an early form of identification Tom, like D-Day stripes - one white, one black. I'm not 100% sure why, but that was the reason.

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 3:31 pm I’m going to enjoy watch this one! Isn’t this the newer Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I and not their older 1/48 kit of the same type?

Thanks Carlos. It is indeed the new kit as John says. It does look rather nice indeed.

keavdog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 9:38 pm Based on the box art and Scalemates I think it's the new tool from 2018

Yep - that's the one!