The first thing a Spitfire builder does is check for the under wing 'gull'. This one has it so you can set aside that concern. The kit has the now required engraved panel lines and the little fasteners you see on some of the panels are raised. An interesting trait is that there are raised panels over the outer gun holes in the leading edge of the wing. Undoubtedly, this is meant to be the fabric that has been doped over these holes, but on this kit they look like metal panels. Most will sand these off and replace them with section of red decal or paint.

The kit has a fairly complete interior with no side panel detailing. Wheel wells have convincing detail in them though seem a tad shallow. Not really a problem as there is no option to build this kit with gear up. There are the following optional bits: Peaked rudder, large and small oil cooler intake, regular and clipped wing tips. For some odd reason, the engine section is separate from the rest of the fuselage. Perhaps for later versions as the sprue for the fuselage has all the bits that would be the same regardless of what Spit version you would be building.

A couple of things of note. One is that this kit has separate prop blades with all the built in alignment problems that come with it. You also only get one of the C wings. As you know, there are a number of different options regarding the various cannon fairings and this one is the skinny ones. You also only have one choice of elevators; the later versions. This means that you really have to do your research when you build your Spit IX. The kit also comes with two types of windscreen and optional rear view mirrors.

Markings are for three aircraft, all from the 1944 time frame and all in the usual Medium Grey, Dark Green over Light Grey. None of the RAF names are given for any of the colors and only Model Master paint references are provided. They would have you mix colors to get the sky for the spinner. First aircraft is 602 Sq, an aircraft flown by Pierre Clostermann, followed by a 329 Sq aircraft complete with Invasion Stripes. Final option is with 126 Sq. Decals are well printed by Cartograf and semi-matte. I'm sure there are other options out there if you want to do something a bit different from the kit offerings.