Recently, I purchased the Airfix Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a
in 1/72nd scale (Photo 1) at a local hobby shop. Having been so impressed with the Curtiss
Hawk 81-A-2 kit, I decided to build it.
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| Photo 1 |
I was surprised to examine the kit and find that the decal
sheet did not include the stencil data (see Photo 2). In a few reviews, I saw decal sheets that
looked like this plus a decal sheet with the squadron codes etc. and the
stencils. Two sheets in one kit? It
looks to me that there were some production issues with putting this kit out. Unfortunately, I got the decal sheet without
the stencils, and with the Spitfire, they are noticeable underneath and the red
tape patches on the gun ports are very prominent also.
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| Photo 2 |
I sent a nice email to Hornby’s (you catch more flies with
honey than vinegar), and I received an auto response saying they would be in
touch. About ten days later, I got a
response apologizing for the delay and telling me they were “sending one out”
right away. It arrived today. Rather than dub around with a decal sheet,
they sent an entire kit. And, inside was
the correct decal sheet. (See Photo 3)
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| Photo 3 |
Today when service is a hit-or-miss thing, it is really nice to have such an excellent response.
Not only are the new Airfix kits very well done, they do not cost big $$$. The range of models in the WWII era is growing, and some of the more obscure aircraft are being produced (e.g., the Boulton Paul Defiant and Avro Shackleton).
Who knows what might be next? I for one am very glad our British cousins are still mindful of the important role WWII played in all our lives, and they are still eager to preserve that history. And, model making is one way that history is preserved.
that was indeed a result !
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