ICM Spitfire Mk.IX - PE

Chuck Beemans

Chuck Beemans

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Joined
Aug 3, 2024
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34
Just picked up this 1:48 ICM Spitfire mk.ix on eBay and was trying to find some PE and any resin parts to try and give it some upgrades.
IMG_8321.jpeg
I found this PE set from Eduard, but ICM has a few different 1:48 mk.ix's and nothing I could find specifies which version it's compatible with. I'm hoping that's because it works with all of them.
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Wondering if anyone has some experience or suggestions on this. I'm notorious for getting myself in unicorn searching situations and I'm hoping this isn't one. unfortunately this kit was an impulse buy, preventing myself from planning ahead, but I did get it for $12 so not a huge blunder…I hope.
 
So I'm already regretting my decision to pick up this kit, but I I've already ordered PE for the cockpit which after putting together the engine, is sure to be a less than pleasant phase of this build.

Since getting back into modeling I've done 3 kits. First a Revel Dauntless that sat for 19 years unopened. Then the first Tamiya kit I'd ever done which was a Kettenkraf then the Tamiya Gustav. I was completely blown away by the engineering and how perfectly the parts of the Tamiya kits come together. And I didn't realize just how great it was until starting on this ICM Kit. I spent about 1.5 hours on the engine, 45 min of which were cleaning the flashing and trying to figure out the directions while simultaneously and unsuccessfully dry fitting the parts, and trying to find examples out there to make sure I had it right. It came together finally, but its flaws are glaring and I'm not too excited about picking it back up anytime soon.

IMG_8407.jpegIMG_8408.jpeg

On the other hand, I'm not one to easily give up and figure perhaps in documenting this build I might help some other poor chap who's chosen to self flagellate by taking on this particular kit.

More to come…possibly.
 
Chuck Beemans said:
So I'm already regretting my decision to pick up this kit, but I I've already ordered PE for the cockpit which after putting together the engine, is sure to be a less than pleasant phase of this build.

Since getting back into modeling I've done 3 kits. First a Revel Dauntless that sat for 19 years unopened. Then the first Tamiya kit I'd ever done which was a Kettenkraf then the Tamiya Gustav. I was completely blown away by the engineering and how perfectly the parts of the Tamiya kits come together. And I didn't realize just how great it was until starting on this ICM Kit. I spent about 1.5 hours on the engine, 45 min of which were cleaning the flashing and trying to figure out the directions while simultaneously and unsuccessfully dry fitting the parts, and trying to find examples out there to make sure I had it right. It came together finally, but its flaws are glaring and I'm not too excited about picking it back up anytime soon.

View attachment 123735View attachment 123736

On the other hand, I'm not one to easily give up and figure perhaps in documenting this build I might help some other poor chap who's chosen to self flagellate by taking on this particular kit.

More to come…possibly.
Click to expand...
I have found with ICM kit's that you need to look forward in the instructions to see where the part you are working on fits. Pantherman
 
Pantherman said:
I have found with ICM kit's that you need to look forward in the instructions to see where the part you are working on fits. Pantherman
Click to expand...
Definitely. I did a fair amount of research on the RR Merlin in advance which kind of helped but the complexity of it in reality depleted my appreciation for the quality of the kit even more.. It's a remarkable engine.
IMG_8388.jpeg
 
Chuck Beemans said:
So I'm already regretting my decision to pick up this kit, but I I've already ordered PE for the cockpit which after putting together the engine, is sure to be a less than pleasant phase of this build.

Since getting back into modeling I've done 3 kits. First a Revel Dauntless that sat for 19 years unopened. Then the first Tamiya kit I'd ever done which was a Kettenkraf then the Tamiya Gustav. I was completely blown away by the engineering and how perfectly the parts of the Tamiya kits come together. And I didn't realize just how great it was until starting on this ICM Kit. I spent about 1.5 hours on the engine, 45 min of which were cleaning the flashing and trying to figure out the directions while simultaneously and unsuccessfully dry fitting the parts, and trying to find examples out there to make sure I had it right. It came together finally, but its flaws are glaring and I'm not too excited about picking it back up anytime soon.

View attachment 123735View attachment 123736

On the other hand, I'm not one to easily give up and figure perhaps in documenting this build I might help some other poor chap who's chosen to self flagellate by taking on this particular kit.

More to come…possibly.
Click to expand...
Haven't posted in a while as this one has been…well just not that enjoyable.

there's a lot of guesswork on this kit. Along with the vague directions the kit is equally vague in its fitting. The engine, framing and everything surrounding it requires precise calibration, yet given the horrible directions is impossible to accomplish. I came close to giving up on this one but have pushed on and will finish out of pure spite. I'm sure there are those who've mastered the art and have had no issues with this kit, but I'm not one of them.

IMG_8636.jpeg

IMG_8635.jpeg

IMG_8637.jpeg

IMG_8638.jpeg
 
With ICM kits it all comes down to age of the molds. This kit had a first production of 2001 (according to Scalemates). So given the age of mold and the many kits produced from said mold, I am not surprised there are issues with this kit. ICM's new kits are quite nice. But I have seen issues with some of their older molds. No matter what, their instructions usually do leave a little to desire, but once you get used to that it's not quite so bad.
 
As a newbie here I've been both curious and worried about some of the new (to me) brands on the market

Grew up on Monogram/Revell like many, but Tamiya and Hasegawa were reputable companies in the 1970s.

The thing is, for me, I know Airfix, AMT, and Italieri as a second or 3rd tier makers from the 70s, but most of the new companies are totally unknowns to me. I've been happily impressed with "Meng" but I am very reluctant to try new unknown brands like Trumpeter and ICM, plus many others. I purchased a workable track set from AFV Club and thought it was well done, but I bought a full kit from them and was very much unimpressed.

Just saying, it is sometimes a crap-shoot out there. I've found myself only buying kits with molds made in the last 5-7 years only because of this distrust.
 
When I came back to the hobby I was very unsure of manufacturers. All I had ever built was Monogram and Revell. I had no access to Airfix, Tamiya, and Hasegawa in my region of the US. I have really come to love ICM. Most of their kits have been fantastic to build. And current Airfix kits have been very nice as well. It's been worth the risk for me. I agree with sticking with newer molds. It makes a big difference. If you go beyond 7 years old expect to have issues of some sort.
 
Edbert said:
As a newbie here I've been both curious and worried about some of the new (to me) brands on the market

Grew up on Monogram/Revell like many, but Tamiya and Hasegawa were reputable companies in the 1970s.

The thing is, for me, I know Airfix, AMT, and Italieri as a second or 3rd tier makers from the 70s, but most of the new companies are totally unknowns to me. I've been happily impressed with "Meng" but I am very reluctant to try new unknown brands like Trumpeter and ICM, plus many others. I purchased a workable track set from AFV Club and thought it was well done, but I bought a full kit from them and was very much unimpressed.

Just saying, it is sometimes a crap-shoot out there. I've found myself only buying kits with molds made in the last 5-7 years only because of this distrust.
Click to expand...

A new tool Airfix kit, say from 2010 onwards is well worth the build. not perfect, not Tamiya, but they've come on leaps and bounds over the last decade. Stuff like the new tool P-40B is a cracking build.
 
ICM Spitfires do have a reputation for being a bit fiddly, but it looks to me you're past the hardest part of this build now - and what you have done looks excellent!
 
Bear43 said:
When I came back to the hobby I was very unsure of manufacturers. All I had ever built was Monogram and Revell. I had no access to Airfix, Tamiya, and Hasegawa in my region of the US. I have really come to love ICM. Most of their kits have been fantastic to build. And current Airfix kits have been very nice as well. It's been worth the risk for me. I agree with sticking with newer molds. It makes a big difference. If you go beyond 7 years old expect to have issues of some sort.
Click to expand...
Meant to respond to this a while back, but just started a new job and it's had all my mindshare as of late.
Very similar experience here with my return to the hobby. All I remember doing as a kid were Mknkgram, Revel and Testors kits. Tamiya was around (I think) but I seem to remember their kits being too expensive and my Dad wouldn't shell out the cash for them back then.
So many to choose from now. I'm looking forward to doing an Eduard kit with all the nice glossy color directions and extra detail PE.
 
Chuck Beemans said:
Haven't posted in a while as this one has been…well just not that enjoyable.

there's a lot of guesswork on this kit. Along with the vague directions the kit is equally vague in its fitting. The engine, framing and everything surrounding it requires precise calibration, yet given the horrible directions is impossible to accomplish. I came close to giving up on this one but have pushed on and will finish out of pure spite. I'm sure there are those who've mastered the art and have had no issues with this kit, but I'm not one of them.

View attachment 125812

View attachment 125813

View attachment 125814

View attachment 125815
Click to expand...
 
I've since done a little bit of light sanding and cleaned up the panel lines as well as some of the more obvious blemishes then touched up the paint. Doing invasion stripes on this (glutton for punishment) so I've started taping the stripes and will be painting them on this morning. i was happy to see my Tamiya 1cm masking tape was almost the perfect width for 1/48 stripes on this which made it an easier process than expected.
 
Chuck Beemans said:
i was happy to see my Tamiya 1cm masking tape was almost the perfect width for 1/48 stripes on this which made it an easier process than expected.
Click to expand...
They were 18 inches wide on the real thing, which is 46 cm, so yep, 1 cm masking tape is about as spot-on as it can be :) I found out the hard way that 6 mm masking tape is visibly just too narrow for 1:72 scale, though — I guess you guys in the USA have an advantage there, since I assume you can get 0.25″ (6.3 mm) wide tape which would be exactly the right width.
 
All in all, it's looking P.F.G.
If it becomes non-compliant, see the Flackhammers Anonymous thread in chit chat.
 
Rimmer said:
A new tool Airfix kit, say from 2010 onwards is well worth the build. not perfect, not Tamiya, but they've come on leaps and bounds over the last decade. Stuff like the new tool P-40B is a cracking build.
Click to expand...
Thanks, a P-40 is on my list, will check it out.
 
Jakko said:
They were 18 inches wide on the real thing, which is 46 cm, so yep, 1 cm masking tape is about as spot-on as it can be :) I found out the hard way that 6 mm masking tape is visibly just too narrow for 1:72 scale, though — I guess you guys in the USA have an advantage there, since I assume you can get 0.25″ (6.3 mm) wide tape which would be exactly the right width.
Click to expand...

Down Time said:
All in all, it's looking P.F.G.
If it becomes non-compliant, see the Flackhammers Anonymous thread in chit chat.
Click to expand...
I preemptively checked it out. LOL. love it.
 

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