Can Anybody Explain This Photograph?

If you are really interested – there’s a thread about the kit on the Airfix Tribute Forum….

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/sutra222252.php

Ken

Airfix Mk IX. JE-J

Mark

First kit I ever made

Pretty good investigative discussion y’all!
It was somewhat obvious it was a model, but how well the kit was ID from the grainy photo is impressive!
Well done, chaps!

Second pic from the bottom is the one I meant – it’s the “old tool” Mk.I that I remember building as a kid.

Incidentally, you can still get that kit, and the decals, but with a different header.

Sorry Daz, that’s not the case. Both the moulds and decals were much, much later and only the header card was like the original. Bit of a rip-off IMHO in view of the way it was touted as a re-release of the original. More here-

http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/models/spitfire/

Of course, Airfix released the anniversary kit of BT-K, which was simply their old-tool Mk.I in blue plastic with the original-style decals.

Still, fun to build!

“BT-K” which was manufactured from an American pattern was released by Airfix in 1953. The model was a huge success for the company despite its crudity. If you happen to find an unmade example, do not be tempted to put it together they are very rare.
The poor quality of “BT-K” resulted in a young man by the name of John Edwards informing Airfix that he could do a better job. He became chief designer for Airfix at the Haldane Place factory and was responsible for “JE-J” which was released in 1955.

cheers

Airfix’s first Spitfire was BT-K, the infamous scaled down copy of Aurora’s 1/48th kit. Could this be a Frog “Penguin” model?

Yes, BT-K was the first Airfix 1/72 Spitfire and bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Aurora 1/48 kit which were both based on the William Wylam “fully dimensioned” drawing. I have the Wylam book containing this drawing which came from the old Haldane place design office. The next Spitfire kit and first Airfix Mk.IX kit was JE-J.

John

OK, not very well built…..but not too bad for a ten year old?

I based the ‘not very well built’ comment on the two glue blobs (they catch the light) on the bottom, one around the centre section, and one where the tail wheel has obviously been reattached once before falling off again. Also the canopy seems to have a gap at the rear. Research – well, you said yourself that the colour scheme is wrong for the mark.

I got the Camel kit I mentioned, ridiculously cheap, from Hameleys in the late 1970s, so not beyond the bounds of possibility that it might be one of that range. I’m happy with the diagnosis of the old Airfix Mk.IX though.
:very_drunk:

Gentlemen, I’m impressed!

You got the scale (1:72), the kit (although I couldn’t swear that it is an Airfix kit I doubt I’d have had access to any other manufacturer at the time), and the fact that it was photographed upside-down (which I’d forgotten actually)…

…although I’m a little hurt that you think it is ‘not very well built’!

The photograph was taken, by me, in about 1976, when I was about ten. The model was stuck to my bedroom window with a blob of red plasticine, hence the rather odd nose profile (you can see the red colour of the plasticine above the nose).

Obviously the black / white underside is totally wrong for a Spitfire of that mark, especially wearing those personal codes, but could you tell from any other features (such as the camouflage pattern)?

Airfix Mk IX. JE-J

Mark

Airfix’s first Spitfire was BT-K, the infamous scaled down copy of Aurora’s 1/48th kit. Could this be a Frog “Penguin” model?

In my opinion it’s the first 1/72 Airfix Mk.IX Spitfire kit JE.J which came out c 1958. small spinner blocky nose and wing droop.

John

I painted mine in gloss emerald green and chocolate brown !!!! – but I recall it as 1957.

I was 10 at the time …. and thought it looked great.

I have got better over time….

Ken

Why is it ‘upside-down’; the clouds, the light?

Lighting.

In my opinion it’s the first 1/72 Airfix Mk.IX Spitfire kit JE.J which came out c 1958. small spinner blocky nose and wing droop.

John

Photo is upside-down too!

Why is it ‘upside-down’; the clouds, the light?

Model

Model from a 60s movie? (no battle of Britain lol)

Photo is upside-down too!

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