Tamiya’s 1:32 scale family of Spitfire kits are fairly legendary at this point in time for their exquisite detail, great design, and pure allure.  To your reviewer, they are elegant kits that many scale modelers can turn into a really breathtaking model.  That said, the kit possesses a really excellent injection-molded plastic excellent cockpit – but if you want to take the cockpit of the Tamiya Spitfire Mk. IX to yet further heights, Eduard has a treat for you.  Here, we take a look at their Brassin cockpit set for this variant of the Spitfire.

This set contains what amounts to a complete replacement for the kit cockpit in the form of 37 cast resin parts, nine pre-painted photoetched (PE) metal parts on one fret, another 26 unpainted photoetched metal parts on another PE fret, six clear acetate parts, and a small decal sheet.

It’s often well-understood that the cockpit of a model aircraft is a “focal point” for both builders and viewers.  This set contains a level of detail that is simply stunning.  What Eduard has captured here is exceptional, from the layers of the PE instrument panel to the pre-painted dial details (featuring Eduard’s “raised-glass” effect over the dials themselves).  An alternate resin instrument panel is provided to accept decal dials for the instrument faces if that’s more to anyone’s taste.  This resin instrument panel has more of a three-dimensional quality to it as well, which has its appeal.

The quality of design and depth of casting detail in the parts that build into the three-part cockpit frame, cockpit floor, single-piece seat, control column, cockpit door, oxygen bottles, throttle quadrant, gunsight, and many other details are thoroughly impressive.  My attention is particularly drawn to the exquisite cast details present in the cockpit sidewall parts (see photos below).  A clear acetate sheet contains parts for the gunsight glass (along with spares).  The pre-painted shoulder harnesses and lap belts feature some amazingly fine pre-painted and etched details, literally down to the stitching.  The other PE parts also look excellent, and provide various small details inside the cockpit, such as the throttle quadrant, seat details, and the rudder stirrups.  There are also a few decals provided for cockpit interior data placards and stenciling.

Only a little work will be needed to adapt this set into the Tamiya kit.  The kit sidewalls will need to be sanded smooth.  After that, this cockpit should drop right in.     

The Tamiya 1:32 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX is an amazing kit, and this Eduard Brassin cockpit set provides the chance to install a truly exceptionally super-detailed interior.  This will be a real treat for scale modelers, especially those who enjoy working with resin detail sets.

We extend our sincere thanks to Eduard for the review sample.  You can visit them on the web at http://www.eduard.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EduardCompany/