Small Scale Military Headquarters

While I was at work last night, my recon patrol(wife and kids) called me from a local TRU and said they had the 1/32 FOV Spitfire. She bought it and I opened it up today and I have to say that I wasnt overly impressed with the model. It is the Action series version. The canopy and cockpit are good but fragile and the overall scale and heft is impressive. I have to say though,that I had to remove about a dozen screws to get the thing out of the box and off the shipping mounts. This resulted in a excessive number of screw holes in the bottom of the plane when combined with the assembly screws and holes for the display stand. I have the Netherlands version and the paint scheme is plain jane and not much to write about. The three bombs they include are interesting. I have never seen a Spit with a bomb load like this. It looks pretty awkward, but I have not seen everything. I am getting another FOV plane through MMTS and it will be the collector series. I cant wait to see the difference.

TJ

I was looking at what I think is the "Enthusiast" version of Spitfire in a shop in London today. It certainly seemed weathered. Soot marks from the wing mounted canonshad been added.

I would imagine the weathering adds more depth t the model. What was the device located on the top of the canopy, any idea? It almost looks like a spot light. I figured it was supposed to a rearview mirror until I looked at photos of the other models and noticed they have rearview mirrors that are depicted very well. Just out of curiosity, what are the planes selling for over there in the UK?

TJ

I think the "spotlight" on the top of the canopy of the action grade Spits found in the US is the review mirror. It has just been placed on backwards. You can see an actual example in the photo below. The FOV one is a little on the large side. If you get a Spitfire that has the defect, its easy to correct - just gently pull on the piece and it will come out, then use a little Krazy Glue to attach it back in the correct position.

Cool. I though it was a primative form of nightime target illumination or something, kind of like the German Vampire(is that right?) infrared system they tried. Will do on the modification and probably add some weathering too. Thanks T-Man.

TJ

Krieglok

In answer to your questions re the "Enthusiast Spit" - I thought the "spotlight" was the rearview mirror!

As for price £29.95 which is very reasonable compared with Corgi's £50 plus. There a local toy fair here in a couple of weeks time where there are quite a vie diecast dealers displaying their wares - it will be interesting to see if they have FOV aircraft there and how much theyare selling for. As for the 1/72 FOV aircraft, they don't seem to have turned up over here yet.

My 2 cents, the 1/72 craft are a better value than the 1/32. I do like the fact they did the Mk IX Spitfire in 1/32 but the fit and finish is not quite as nice as their armor pieces.
Todd

I know I'm a little late to jump on the "Band Wagon" here, but I have definitely learned some stuff here. Like the "rearview mirror", all those darn screws and other stuff too.......I just picked up the "action grade" Spit' Normandy '44 version at Toys R Us. I like the addition of another "pilot" for simulation, not a "ground crew member" like others, think. I will have to do some minor "touch-ups" though, like a little weathering around the MG's and put the "RED STRIPES" on the "wing tips" that were completely or intentionally omitted in the production process. The back or bottom of the box, shows it with these "RED STRIPES" painted on. "What is the deal here" ? Despite these minor flaws, this FOV aircraft is "superb" imo. I can't wait to get the 2 "kraut planes"......