Profile Photo
Marc Barris
97 articles

1/24 Scale Spifire Mk 8

June 4, 2015 · in Aviation · · 20 · 2.8K

This is a Mk 5 that I converted to the Mk8, I had to scratch build quite a few of the components.
Lengthened the nose, and changed the Engine, which is from a scale Mustang.
I resin cast the spinner as well as the propeller blades, and scratch built the radiators, the canopy was also modified from the rounded Mk 5 canopy to the classic Mk 9 canopy, which I vacuum formed and did the canopy framing with lead strip. The rudder was also changed as well as the retractable tail wheel. I also scratch built the parachute pack on the horizontal stabiliser. The wheel hubs on the undercarriage were also scratch built. The RAAF roundels and Code letters were all hand painted.

As a dare from my good friend Tappie, I opened a engine cover and showed the rocker arms (tappets). (madness I tell you) The 20mm Cannon was also scratch built.

I built this kit about 4 years ago, and I have been asked to sell the kit on a few occasions, but I just don't have the heart to do so.

I hope you enjoy looking at it as I have building it.

Reader reactions:
6  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


20 responses

  1. said on June 4, 2015

    Absoluut n meesterstuk van uitstaande gehalte! Masterclass work Marc. One can never have enough Spitfires!

  2. Really nice looking build. Some of the images make me think of an aircraft under maintenance at one of the Duxford hangers.

  3. Madness, yes - but simply outstanding results! Beautiful work Marc.

  4. Greetings :
    Nice looking SPITFIRE. The camouflage looks great and the weathering really sets it apart. The bottom details and work done really standout.
    Sends out a sense of HISTORY, Very nice work.

  5. Great job Marc. It seems like a lot of models that get into to the bigger scales seem to loose detail or realism, but not this one, some of your pictures look very close to the real thing. If I may give a little word of advise, if you like it don't sell it, you will regret it. I have !

    • Hi Terry, 1/24 scale is very big to do a lot of detail on, I have stuck to 1/32 scale and I feel that the detail is a lot more impressive when the model is completed, and it does not take up so much space a well. I have a lot of regrets when giving models away and selling them, I like to take my models out once in a while and just sit and look at them, it motivates me. Cheers for the kind comments.

  6. Buddy, your builds are all in the master class. Great work. And just for everybody's information, Marc really loved making those rockers.

  7. Wicked good job overall. Fantastic detail, perhaps a labor of love?

  8. said on June 6, 2015

    Spectacular built. Congratulation for conversion work. My Spitfire MkVB from Trumpeter 1/24 still at cockpit work...

  9. Marc,
    Stunning build. It looks real.

Leave a Reply