Accessories for ICM Spitfire Mk. VIII, IX, XVI Review by Brett Green (Ultracast 1/48))

Accessories for
ICM Spitfire VIII/IX/XVI

Ultracast

Replacement Wing Tip and Large "C" Cannon Bulge

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number, Description and Price:	48093 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX 1 piece lower cowl with early style (small) intake (for ICM Kits) USD$4.95 48094 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX 1 piece lower cowl with late style (large) intake (for ICM Kits) USD$4.95 48095 - Supermarine Spitfire Pilot Access Doors with crowbars (two doors) for ICM Mk. VIII, IX & XVI Spitfires USD$4.95 48096 - Supermarine Spitfire Pilot Access Doors without crowbars (two doors) for ICM Mk. VIII, IX & XVI Spitfires USD$4.95 48097 - Supermarine Spitfire Large (early IXc) Style Cannon Bay Covers (for ICM Kits) USD$4.95 48098 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX C Wing Cannon Bay Covers (for ICM Kits) USD$4.95 48099 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX E Wing Cannon Bay Covers (for ICM Kits) USD$4.95 48100 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX Replacement Standard Wing Tips (for ICM Kits) USD$4.95 Add shipping and handling to above: USD$4.00 in North America
Scale:	1/48
Contents and Media:	All Resin. See text for more details
Review Type:	FirstLook
Advantages:	Beautiful quality casting; big improvement to ICM kit parts; accurate; improves flexiblity of later ICM Spitfire releases that have less options in-the-box.
Disadvantages:
Recommendation:	Highly Recommended for anyone building ICM's Spitfire VIII, IX or XVI

Reviewed by Brett Green

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F i r s t L o o k

Ultracast has already released resin replacement parts to deal with some of the worst shortcomings of the early ICM Spitfire VIII and IX kits. These include three wheel variants, propeller blades, early and late style elevators, exhausts and seats.

This latest batch arrives at a time when the modelling jury seems to have delivered its verdict on accuracy firmly in favour of the ICM Spitfire.

These new releases represent an improvement over kit parts (as applicable) and will add greater flexibility to build different versions of the Spitfire IX.

Casting of all parts is up to Ultracast’s high standards. The releases are as follows:

48093 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX 1 piece lower cowl with early style (small) intake.

This is one of the essential components to convert the Mk. VIII or IX back to an early Mk. IX. This conversion will also require Ultracast’s early elevators and large-style “C” wing bulges (I would not be the least surprised to see this combination, plus a set of wheels and exhausts, put together as an “Early Spitfire IX Conversion” package. Maybe a 250lb bomb with rack too?)

The part looks very accurate and will eliminate the need to fill the difficult join-line on the bottom of the kit cowl.

I have test-fitted this part on the ICM Spitfire Mk. IX fuselage and the initial impressions of fit are very good indeed (see image above)

48094 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX 1 piece lower cowl with late style (large) intake (for ICM Kits).

This is a simple replacement for the ICM lower cowl. The part looks very accurate and will eliminate the need to fill the difficult join-line on the bottom of the kit cowl.

48095 - Supermarine Spitfire Pilot Access Doors with crowbars (two doors) for ICM Mk. VIII, IX & XVI Spitfires.

Two doors to permit the cockpit to be shown-off. Ultracast’s pilot seat will be a nice addition too, if you choose to cut open the fuselage.

48096 - Supermarine Spitfire Pilot Access Doors without crowbars (two doors) for ICM Mk. VIII, IX & XVI Spitfires.

Now we’re really getting into the minutiae! If your plastic pilot feels that he needs more elbow room, you can give him the comfortable option of a cockpit door with the crowbar removed.

48097 - Supermarine Spitfire Large (early IXc) Style Cannon Bay Covers (for ICM Kits).

Drop-fit, accurate replacement for kit covers. This style was frequently seen on the early version of the Mk. IXc (note – the large cover does not necessarily imply the installation of two cannon in each wing. One cannon in the inboard position was still the most common configuration).

Test-fitting suggests that these parts will fit well.

48098 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX C Wing Cannon Bay Covers (for ICM Kits) .

Drop-fit, accurate replacement for kit covers. Also appropriate for ICM’s Mk. VIII and Mk. XVI

48099 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX E Wing Cannon Bay Covers (for ICM Kits).

Drop-fit, accurate replacement for kit covers. Used on later Mk. IXs and Mk. XVI

48100 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX Replacement Standard Wing Tips.

Drop-fit, accurate replacement for kit wing tips.

Conclusion

Ultracast has provided the modeller with the choice of building either a superdetailed ICM Spitfire or a superdetailed Hasegawa Spitfire.

The choice is in the hands of the individual modeller, but this newest batch of accessories will certainly enhance ICM’s Spitfire VIII, IX or XVI kits.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Kevin at Ultracast for the review samples.

The full catalogue of Ultracast accessories, conversions and figures may be viewed and purchased at Ultracast's Web Site.

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Review Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green Images Courtesy Ultracast Website, except title image and test-fitting image by Brett Green Page Created 14 September, 2001 Last updated 22 July, 2003

Review Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green
Images Courtesy Ultracast Website, except title image and test-fitting image by Brett Green
Page Created 14 September, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003