Hobby Master Spitfire IX - Anyone Get One?
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:08 pm
Pretty much as the title says... Has anyone else gotten the Hobby Master Spitfire IX model? While they've offered several schemes over the past year, I finally got one – the newest edition in George Beurling’s livery.
Quite frankly, I was rather surprised with the tooling and would consider it one of the better Hobby Master 1:48 scale releases I’ve seen lately (especially when one considers that awful P-51B). While I'm sure it has its inaccuracies that I'm not touching upon, the Spitfire IX tooling has gone back to having the greater level of functionality that characterized many of the earlier HM 1:48 planes, including retractable gear, opening gun bays on the wings, and movable control surfaces (rudder). Recent 1:48 releases (like the P-47) have not had that functionality.
The Sptifire’s functionality is very likely because HM used the wings from the Spitfire XIV (Griffon-engine) tooling on the Spitfire IX model. It’s still accurate enough and the extra details (like the gun bays) can be appreciated! I did notice that the model came with optional tail wheel pieces – one with the standard “exposed” wheel and another with it retracted. From my understanding, the Spitfire IX still had the exposed tail wheel like most of the earlier Spitfire types. The cockpit side door does not open, but I’m not as bummed about that given that it was a fragile piece on the HM Spitfire XIV models and never quite looked right when closed up. The radio mast also has to be attached to the Spitfire IX and it also comes with a spare mast.
It now goes with my several HM 1:48 Spitfire models that pretty much show the evolution of that iconic fighter from a Battle of Britain Mk. I model to a postwar Mk. XIV with teardrop canopy, clipped wings, and 5-blade prop. So, overall, despite the somewhat high price, I’m quite pleased with this addition to the Hobby Master lineup and would recommend the model.
So again, curious to hear any other thoughts from those that have this?
Quite frankly, I was rather surprised with the tooling and would consider it one of the better Hobby Master 1:48 scale releases I’ve seen lately (especially when one considers that awful P-51B). While I'm sure it has its inaccuracies that I'm not touching upon, the Spitfire IX tooling has gone back to having the greater level of functionality that characterized many of the earlier HM 1:48 planes, including retractable gear, opening gun bays on the wings, and movable control surfaces (rudder). Recent 1:48 releases (like the P-47) have not had that functionality.
The Sptifire’s functionality is very likely because HM used the wings from the Spitfire XIV (Griffon-engine) tooling on the Spitfire IX model. It’s still accurate enough and the extra details (like the gun bays) can be appreciated! I did notice that the model came with optional tail wheel pieces – one with the standard “exposed” wheel and another with it retracted. From my understanding, the Spitfire IX still had the exposed tail wheel like most of the earlier Spitfire types. The cockpit side door does not open, but I’m not as bummed about that given that it was a fragile piece on the HM Spitfire XIV models and never quite looked right when closed up. The radio mast also has to be attached to the Spitfire IX and it also comes with a spare mast.
It now goes with my several HM 1:48 Spitfire models that pretty much show the evolution of that iconic fighter from a Battle of Britain Mk. I model to a postwar Mk. XIV with teardrop canopy, clipped wings, and 5-blade prop. So, overall, despite the somewhat high price, I’m quite pleased with this addition to the Hobby Master lineup and would recommend the model.
So again, curious to hear any other thoughts from those that have this?
