Just released in Sept 2004 this is a representation of the Supermarine Spitfire / Seafire airframe. It has been developed to capture the fine lines of R J Mitchell’s design using both brass and hardwood.

The airframe is supplied in flat pack kit form for home assembly and easy postal delivery. Anyone who remembers balsa wood models (i.e. pre plastic days) will recognise the method of construction with the exception that the flat parts are already accurately machined from 1.5mm brass sheet. They are self-jigging and snap together to ease assembly.

The main time input from the builder is in the cleaning up and polishing of the parts. This process can be quite therapeutic and rewarding, transforming dull and lifeless metal into a thing of beauty. It will appeal to anyone who appreciates considered detail. For example the outer brown packaging is secured with string reminiscent of the wartime gas mask boxes. The inner box is very understated using period matt colours and typesets. (Very different from the ‘norm’ i.e. glossy images of planes being shot down in flames.) The comprehensive instruction booklet follows the style of the original Spitfire manual.

The stand has a fully pre machined locking ball joint mechanism used to adjust attitude and show the skeletal airframe off to it’s best.

The quality and sculptural elegance of this desktop model is truly outstanding giving it wide appeal to both sexes. Each model is individually numbered to make it a unique and nostalgic gift that will surely become an antique of the future.