Quickboost

1/72 Spitfire I-V Control Surfaces For the Tamiya kit.

Stock Number: QB 72-225

Reviewed By  Paul Bradley, IPMS# 35554

MSRP: 3.30 Euros (approx $4.75) Website: www.quickboost.net/ Here's another useful set for the Spitfire modeller. Many current 1/72 early Spitfires have control surfaces that are too thick, or have overdone fabric detail. This new set from Quickboost will instantly solve those issues. The set consists of a rudder, plus a pair of horizontal tailplanes with separate elevators. Each is cast very finely with trailing edges as thin as you are likely to see. Fabric detail is very restrained and should give a lovely subtle effect once painted. While this set is listed as being intended for the Tamiya kit, it will equally apply to any early Spitfire kit - but note that the Spitfire had extended mass balances on the elevators from the Mk. VIII onwards, so this set is only applicable for earlier marks (see the accompanying photo, where I've set an Airfix Spitfire IX tailplane into the picture), although you could use the rudder for early Mk.IXs. I happened to have an Airfix Mk.I available; comparison with the kit's rudder and elevators showed the resin parts have much more finely-rendered ribbing detail than on the kit, while the tailplanes are also better executed. The kit's rudder will need to be cut away, but this allows the opportunity to offset it for a bit of added interest. It adds up to another worthwhile product at reasonable prices for older kits from Quickboost. Recommended. My thanks to the good folks at Quickboost for the review sample; please visit their website at www.quickboost.net/ for details of this and other products. Quickboost products are available directly from the Modelchoice.net website and from all good hobby retailers in the US and overseas.