BASIC BUILD

SPITFIRE F.22

BASIC BUILD

SPITFIRE F.22

42 Airfi x Model World

T

he word Spitfire inevitably

evokes all manner of

inspirational and emotive

thoughts, but one's mind

normally defaults to the beauty of

the Merlin-powered variants.

However, that powerplant of

course is just part of the story, and

with the introduction of the potent

Rolls-Royce Griffon, beauty had

well and truly met the beast! For

the RAF, Griffon variants reached

their pinnacle in the F.22/24

series, with new wings (from the

Mk.21), an enlarged vertical tail

(which helped counter the massive

torque from the 2,050hp Griffon

61), low-back rear fuselage, and

a phenomenal punch from four

20mm Hispano cannons. Many

familiar lines from the high-back

Spitfires had vanished, to be

replaced by a new and more brutal

elegance. The Seafire FR.47 was

even more developed, and the

PR.XIX served for longer...but for

the RAF and Royal Auxiliary Air

Force, the F.22 and F.24 were the

last of the ‘fighter’ Spitfires.

Return of a classic

It’s strange how tastes can change.

As a youngster, Spitfires with

Griffon engines and tear-drop

canopies had no appeal to me,

but as an adult, they are now

confirmed favourites, and with that

in mind, news of the re-release of

this kit was received with elation.

Along with Airfix’s 1/48 Lightning

family and Seafire FR.46/47, the

Spitfire F.22/24 represents a high

point for Airfix in the mid- to late-

1990s. Good fit, excellent shapes

Chris Jones

is absolutely

thrilled about the

re-release of one of

his favourite kits...

Airfix’s classic 1/48

Spitfire F.22/24

BASIC BUILD

SPITFIRE F.22

well and truly met the beast! For

the RAF, Griffon variants reached

their pinnacle in the F.22/24

series, with new wings (from the

Mk.21), an enlarged vertical tail

Force, the F.22 and F.24 were the

last of the ‘fighter’ Spitfires.

Return of a classic

It’s strange how tastes can change.

Chris Jones

is absolutely

thrilled about the

re-release of one of

his favourite kits...

Airfix’s classic 1/48

Spitfire F.22/24

BEAST

Beauty meets the

 The recessed panel lines and rivet rendering on this kit are superb (they were the first

time around), and the moulds have held up well despite its relative age.

 The beam that sat across the inner flaps was trimmed to avoid fit issues later on, while

clear colours made the lights look great when viewed from the underside.