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In-Box Review
172
Spitfire MkI and PrIV canopies
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by: Tim Hatton [ LITESPEED ]

Pavla continue with their excellent range of vac formed canopies. This time they focus their attention on the Spitfire MkI and the Spitfire Pr IV. This set is aimed at the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk I

Kit canopies are mostly always a disappointment in their scale thickness and quality. We always think about perhaps vac forming our own, but are usually always put off by the amount of work. This is were Pavla comes in in offering excellent replacement canopies at a small cost.

Contents.

Pavla offer five canopies altogether coming in a resealable plastic bag:
2 x MkI Blown canopies and windscreens.
1 x MkI Blown canopy with hatch port side and windscreens.
1 x Spitfire Pr IV unpressurised blown canopy and windscreen.
1 x Spitfire Pr IV pressurised blown canopy and windscreen.

These canopies are to replace the canopy of the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire MkI. The quality of the plastic is very good, very thin and clear. Definitely worth using in place of the kit canopy. All the canopies with the exception of the pressurised canopy appear to have the armoured windscreen. There is plenty of plastic between the three elements that make up the windscreen, canopy and rear glazing. One of the MkI canopies has the hatch marked on the port side, absolutely amazing. The set is worth that little feature alone. The frame work is very well defined.
The two Pr canopies have the two bubble blisters either side, not the easiest things to create using the vac formed process. . The pressurised canopy looks excellent with it's frame less non armoured windscreen.
Obviously great care will be needed to separate the components when cutting. As they are the canopies feel pretty strong, but once cut into they will need some support on the inside. Not an item to rush and use a fresh surgical blade. But they will improve the look of your Airfix Spitfire no end.

Conclusion.

It's fantastic to have this number of options canopy wise for the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire MkI in one package.
SUMMARY
Highs: Superb high quality canopies.
Lows: None.
Verdict: Now I have seen these I would not consider using the kit canopies. Nice one Pavla. Highly recommended.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: V 72-81
  Suggested Retail: £4.91
  PUBLISHED: Feb 01, 2011
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.86%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.99%

Our Thanks to Pavla Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Tim Hatton (litespeed)
FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

Aircraft are my primary interest from WWll to present day.

Copyright ©2021 text by Tim Hatton [ LITESPEED ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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