Totally agree with your sentiments, a kit(set) made to honour the subject, not just to follow trends and cash in. A huge release for this new company, can't wait to see what else they release based on this debut.
G'day Jason(?), great review, thanks and apologies re the long response below. I've spent all of my working life with mainly military aircraft but some civil stuff too, so have some knowledge on aircraft - not an expert by any means but just know some stuff... A couple of points, most of the rivets used on the wings and a lot of the fuselage of the Spits, as I understand it, were countersunk types so were flush when installed. I'm also pretty sure that once in place filler was applied over the heads to create a smooth surface and then the aircraft was painted - I have a reference to this but it's still packed from moving. On receiving the Kotare kit the first thing I noticed was the rivets, or lack of them and the undulations in some of the panels. Garner your Spitfire images/photos and take a very good look at all of the aircraft, where there are exposed rivets on the actual plane, they are on the model or not as the case maybe. As you noted, it's about the accuracy, not what some modellers want or think is correct. Re the "fastener" depressions on some of the panels, these are removable panels so are held in place by either screws or dzus (quick release) fasteners and the depressions are from constant removal/installation. I know several of the Kotare team and have complete faith in what they produced for WNW and will produce under the Kotare range. Look forward to the build, and thanks for sharing.
Sir! You are spot on with your comment. Like you stated, (I'm no expert) but with 42 years in commercial aviation I can't recall ever seen raised rivets on the wing surfaces of any aircraft. Ill also add Dzus fasteners on wing surfaces are also counter sunk.. This is an amazing kit. I have one on order.
@@davidroberts2777 Wow, no rivets/fasteners on the wing in 42yrs, I worked on some older aircraft types when I first joined the Air Force here, a couple with WWll design heritage, and a few of these with actual operational history. These were either trainers or transport A/C, so there were always plenty of rivets on the wings of those aircraft... As for the kit, as a retired maintenance engineer, after having my head and often upper body jammed into an open hatch with the rear end hanging out in the breeze (don't dwell on that image for too long), not having any engine or open maintenance panels is ok for me. Only one kind of aircraft and that's a servicable one ready to go flying! As Jason has identified in his review, a stunning kit and well worth the money.
@@davidroberts2777Whoops, humble apologies David, you did say raisied rivets/fasteners and I was referring to "raised" rivets/fasteners in my response, just missed the word out. The more modern aircraft we had when I joined up did have flush fasteners.
@@brenthopley874 No problem Sir. I'll take a walk over to the Canadian Warplane museum this weekend to have a good look at the Spitfire they have on-site. I will post a few images on the post. Take care Sir.
I'm with you 100%. A fantastic kit by people who both care and really know their stuff. I'm only recently back to the hobby, so I know I won't do this justice, but I will do my best and learn enough to have a better go at the early Mk.I - that's the one I really wanted.
The Australian War Memorial w/site has a Official RAF training film titled, 'Streamline Colour' by Guild Films LTD. The leading D section of the wings of Spitfires was made smooth with the use of putty and primer/filler so depressions from the rivets would be filled. The practice was done on all RAF High Speed Aircraft. I have built several 1/32 Tamiya Spits and am currently building three 1/24 Airfix Mk.IXcs. All have the rivet detail filled on the leading edge of the wings and the rest of the model rivets altered to be shallow depressions. The UA-cam, 'Spitfire preflight/Walkaround Tour-EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018' shows how subtle the outer flush rivets should be on the later Mk.IXs.
With the WNW pedigree behind it I am sure this is an amazing kit, super accurate and will probably go together like a Swiss watch. It is very difficult to compare Spitfire kits directly because of all the differing marks. This price of your kit was the price of the Tamiya Mk IX kit, so I am assuming this will be more. The Tamiya kit has some very good engine detail and I was disappointed that this kit does not have this detail. If it had an engine to be displayed with cowls off and perhaps gun bay detail I would have jumped at it.
Hi Jason, a really great review of this kit. I appreciate your description as I belive that some reviews have been a bit mixed. I really appreciate your take on the excellent kit.
Nice kit. Accurate and not too many parts. Take for example the oxygen tanks. I'm perfectly content with them being moulded in. Who needs separate parts to glue in?
Most New Zealanders would probably pronounce it like "co-tarry", especially those if us with a few miles on the clock. To be more correct, like the Māori would say it, something like "kor-tah-re". That macron over the ō makes it a longer sound. These days we try to get it more like it should sound, but it's a work in progress.
Late to the party, but I’ve just had my kit a short while and haven’t begun it. I agree that it is absolutely superb and, AFAIK, unique in its attention to detail of how panels on the real airplanes could be stress-distorted. I don’t miss the flush rivets, either. I have only one complaint so far: it isn’t a Hurricane. I’m thrilled to have it, but once again, the poor Hurri’ is jilted. I’m sure Kotare had sound marketing reasons for their selection of subject, and theirs is the finest Spit’ in 1/32, but the continuing lack of a high-quality 1/32 Hurricane is a shame. (The recent Revell effort is a sad miss, unfortunately, not even living up to its low price point. I know they can do better in that price range, because they did with their most recent Spitfire.)
Sorry mate,i have built the Revell mk IX and i found this a cracking kit for the under £30 price tag, and i have the Tamiya mkXVI spitfire which is a wonderful kit, i will be buying the Airfix MKIX 1/24 which as you know is cheaper than the kotare kit so i really do not see a place in my stash for me to purchase at £100 the Kotare spitfire,again sorry mate,keep up the good work with your channel,all the best.
Just to let people know. S9me og their future kits are early P51s. Great choice since only trumpeter has done them and they are not that good. Plus mamy countries used them.
Where did you get this information?. After speaking to Richard Alexander personally, I very much doubt he’d go round announcing future projects from Kotare. There’s literally more chance of getting blood out of a stone than Richard spilling the beans on anything related. Stop lying.
it's not over priced. Its from a tiny manufacturer and you get what you paid for, a well engineered kit that's enjoyable to build. Stick to revell if its too high a price for you.
@@willthorson4543 Mmmmmmm Ok. Cheapest I’ve seen so far in the UK is £89. The most expensive is £104. For this you get. Five Sprues!!! No PE. No engine, no gun bays, no flaps deployment options, no wheels up option. I’m not denying it’s a good kit and yes I’ve built the Revell MkII and it’s a decent kit with more options. I saw the kit at Telford and to be honest it’s just another spitfire with not much of a wow factor.
It's not really overpriced. Just take your time and enjoy it. If you are worried over the 20 extra dollars, then opt for the Tamiya 1/48 version, which is a beautiful kit.
Totally agree with your sentiments, a kit(set) made to honour the subject, not just to follow trends and cash in. A huge release for this new company, can't wait to see what else they release based on this debut.
G'day Jason(?), great review, thanks and apologies re the long response below.
I've spent all of my working life with mainly military aircraft but some civil stuff too, so have some knowledge on aircraft - not an expert by any means but just know some stuff...
A couple of points, most of the rivets used on the wings and a lot of the fuselage of the Spits, as I understand it, were countersunk types so were flush when installed.
I'm also pretty sure that once in place filler was applied over the heads to create a smooth surface and then the aircraft was painted - I have a reference to this but it's still packed from moving.
On receiving the Kotare kit the first thing I noticed was the rivets, or lack of them and the undulations in some of the panels.
Garner your Spitfire images/photos and take a very good look at all of the aircraft, where there are exposed rivets on the actual plane, they are on the model or not as the case maybe. As you noted, it's about the accuracy, not what some modellers want or think is correct.
Re the "fastener" depressions on some of the panels, these are removable panels so are held in place by either screws or dzus (quick release) fasteners and the depressions are from constant removal/installation.
I know several of the Kotare team and have complete faith in what they produced for WNW and will produce under the Kotare range.
Look forward to the build, and thanks for sharing.
Sir! You are spot on with your comment.
Like you stated, (I'm no expert) but with 42 years in commercial aviation I can't recall ever seen raised rivets on the wing surfaces of any aircraft. Ill also add Dzus fasteners on wing surfaces are also counter sunk..
This is an amazing kit. I have one on order.
@@davidroberts2777 Wow, no rivets/fasteners on the wing in 42yrs, I worked on some older aircraft types when I first joined the Air Force here, a couple with WWll design heritage, and a few of these with actual operational history. These were either trainers or transport A/C, so there were always plenty of rivets on the wings of those aircraft... As for the kit, as a retired maintenance engineer, after having my head and often upper body jammed into an open hatch with the rear end hanging out in the breeze (don't dwell on that image for too long), not having any engine or open maintenance panels is ok for me. Only one kind of aircraft and that's a servicable one ready to go flying! As Jason has identified in his review, a stunning kit and well worth the money.
@@brenthopley874 I distinctly stated (Raised) rivets or fastener.
@@davidroberts2777Whoops, humble apologies David, you did say raisied rivets/fasteners and I was referring to "raised" rivets/fasteners in my response, just missed the word out. The more modern aircraft we had when I joined up did have flush fasteners.
@@brenthopley874 No problem Sir.
I'll take a walk over to the Canadian Warplane museum this weekend to have a good look at the Spitfire they have on-site.
I will post a few images on the post.
Take care Sir.
I'm with you 100%. A fantastic kit by people who both care and really know their stuff. I'm only recently back to the hobby, so I know I won't do this justice, but I will do my best and learn enough to have a better go at the early Mk.I - that's the one I really wanted.
The Australian War Memorial w/site has a Official RAF training film titled, 'Streamline Colour' by Guild Films LTD.
The leading D section of the wings of Spitfires was made smooth with the use of putty and primer/filler so depressions from the rivets would be filled. The practice was done on all RAF High Speed Aircraft.
I have built several 1/32 Tamiya Spits and am currently building three 1/24 Airfix Mk.IXcs.
All have the rivet detail filled on the leading edge of the wings and the rest of the model rivets altered to be shallow
depressions. The UA-cam, 'Spitfire preflight/Walkaround Tour-EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018' shows how subtle
the outer flush rivets should be on the later Mk.IXs.
With the WNW pedigree behind it I am sure this is an amazing kit, super accurate and will probably go together like a Swiss watch. It is very difficult to compare Spitfire kits directly because of all the differing marks. This price of your kit was the price of the Tamiya Mk IX kit, so I am assuming this will be more. The Tamiya kit has some very good engine detail and I was disappointed that this kit does not have this detail. If it had an engine to be displayed with cowls off and perhaps gun bay detail I would have jumped at it.
Nice review of a very nice looking kit. One can never have enough Spitfires.👍
Hi Jason, a really great review of this kit. I appreciate your description as I belive that some reviews have been a bit mixed. I really appreciate your take on the excellent kit.
What a wonderful review,love your attention to detail
Nice kit. Accurate and not too many parts. Take for example the oxygen tanks. I'm perfectly content with them being moulded in. Who needs separate parts to glue in?
Modelers ?
Can't wait to watch the build video!
Most New Zealanders would probably pronounce it like "co-tarry", especially those if us with a few miles on the clock. To be more correct, like the Māori would say it, something like "kor-tah-re". That macron over the ō makes it a longer sound. These days we try to get it more like it should sound, but it's a work in progress.
Hey Jason good video, looking forward to your build. Cheers Liam
Incredible kit that I would never be able to do justice to with my current skill level.
A kit designed for modellers to enjoy of a beautiful aircraft.
Nice one Jason. Oddly, I bought a secondhand (non related) kit from Malcolm Laird a few weeks ago! Look forward to the build, all the best from NZ.
A great review for an excellent kit, thanks.
Dear Mr Champion,
A nicely made review. Quality stands the test of time. I think this kit will sell far into the future.
Regards,
Z
Late to the party, but I’ve just had my kit a short while and haven’t begun it. I agree that it is absolutely superb and, AFAIK, unique in its attention to detail of how panels on the real airplanes could be stress-distorted. I don’t miss the flush rivets, either.
I have only one complaint so far: it isn’t a Hurricane. I’m thrilled to have it, but once again, the poor Hurri’ is jilted. I’m sure Kotare had sound marketing reasons for their selection of subject, and theirs is the finest Spit’ in 1/32, but the continuing lack of a high-quality 1/32 Hurricane is a shame. (The recent Revell effort is a sad miss, unfortunately, not even living up to its low price point. I know they can do better in that price range, because they did with their most recent Spitfire.)
Looks incredible. Give them time I know, but I’ll bet these guys could produce a sensational Hawker Hurricane!🤞🏻🙏🏻
I’m almost certain we’ll have one next from them, bet it’s a Ragwing version too
Here’s hoping!.
They are doing early P51s. A,C, and B. No good kits of those out there in 32nd. Plus the brits and the US used them.
@@willthorson4543 sign me up for one of those
I did a drawing of that Spitfire ‘Kiwi 1’ and Alan Deere’s portrait, which he signed for me, 5 months before he passed away with cancer.
I'm beginning to think I need this kit. Jason, you're a gateway drug!
You do. Highly, highly recommended!.
Looks cool.
finally a decent modeller doing this kit! 👍🏻
Is that you, Jason? 😂
That looks an easy builder. Deceptively simple? (Bearing in mind that I could cock up Lego)
Sure i read somewhere the exhaust actually has a seam, and they don't rust... anyway look forward to your build 👍
The more I see this kit, the more I like it...
Very nice welljell👍👍😎😎
A pitty not to see it finished. For me,Spitfire is a piece of work and the most beautiful airplane coming from WW2
I don’t think it’s the most Beautiful.. But one of my favorites😺
👍👍👍
Sorry mate,i have built the Revell mk IX and i found this a cracking kit for the under £30 price tag, and i have the Tamiya mkXVI spitfire which is a wonderful kit, i will be buying the Airfix MKIX 1/24 which as you know is cheaper than the kotare kit so i really do not see a place in my stash for me to purchase at £100 the Kotare spitfire,again sorry mate,keep up the good work with your channel,all the best.
No engine ? why ?
Thanks fOr ThE sHoUt oUt😅
Just to let people know. S9me og their future kits are early P51s. Great choice since only trumpeter has done them and they are not that good. Plus mamy countries used them.
Where did you get this information?. After speaking to Richard Alexander personally, I very much doubt he’d go round announcing future projects from Kotare. There’s literally more chance of getting blood out of a stone than Richard spilling the beans on anything related. Stop lying.
So I was right. You do talk out of your arse.
Haha I got one just to say I have one. 😅
You're a bit late on the Kotare Spitfire love-in bore-fest. Not very "champion". 🙄
*slow clap
🤡
Yeah it looks a good kit but that’s as far it goes for me. Overpriced and not a lot for your money.
it's not over priced. Its from a tiny manufacturer and you get what you paid for, a well engineered kit that's enjoyable to build. Stick to revell if its too high a price for you.
@@willthorson4543 Mmmmmmm Ok. Cheapest I’ve seen so far in the UK is £89. The most expensive is £104. For this you get. Five Sprues!!! No PE. No engine, no gun bays, no flaps deployment options, no wheels up option. I’m not denying it’s a good kit and yes I’ve built the Revell MkII and it’s a decent kit with more options. I saw the kit at Telford and to be honest it’s just another spitfire with not much of a wow factor.
It's not really overpriced. Just take your time and enjoy it. If you are worried over the 20 extra dollars, then opt for the Tamiya 1/48 version, which is a beautiful kit.
@@PiperStart I’m sorry mate but what you’ve written makes no sense at all.
Aaaaannnddd the next Spit.Its gettn borin.
Plenty of other channels to watch old boy, if you know the channel you know I like Spits and reviews so shouldn’t come as a surprise!
Imagine reading a video title that clearly says spitfire on it, then clicking on it just to complain that the video is about a spitfire.....🤦♂️🤦♂️
What a knob
And so are comments like yours. Carry on regardless, Jason.👍🏻
Unless you like Spitfires .
Until you build the kit, you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
Great insight