Italeri's first new Spitfire release last year, the subsequent one being the Mark V. There are some parts of the kit which are much better than the Revell kit, and others which are not as slick - the raised (???) areas around the wing machine guns is one such example. Overall I'd say they are about equal, with the Italeri kit offering greater versatility and the Revell kit being easier to build. As for finishes, I thought this "Invasion Stripe" aircraft was rather attractive, and so sprayed all the bits appropriately. I replaced the kit identification numbers for Modeldecal ones, which match the sky fighter band much better than the Italeri offerings.

Extras: Reheat RAF seat straps

Finish: Tamiya acrylics, Johnson's Klear, oil wash, artist's matt varnish & oil pastels

Brush: Badger 150 copy with nitrogen tank & regulator (15-30 PSI)