DonH

Oh boy, oh boy. I don't understand why I am so excited about this, but pre-order done. Can't wait, want it now, now, now, NOW.

I found this reference on Hyperscale including some insight from the late, great, Edgar Brooks. To answer your question, I think the lights were there on some and not on others. I guess, check your reference and if Airfix have them painted over, i am not sure anyone can disagree with that with any degree of certainty. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/downward-identification-lights-on-mk-viii-spitfire-t164323.html

Yes

...although I might consider the Barracudacast control column. I have the resin exhausts with the kit.

Really essential? Canopy masks for sure. For me, that's it, the rest is nice to have in my opinion but not essential.

Peter, this is magnificent and is already bringing hours of joy to many people. You are pushing the boundaries of quality and detail. I am daydreaming about how you could apply all this skill and experience to a Spey Toom....

Why? Because Kotare hasn't got around to it yet.

Work has snuck up and destroyed my time for modelling. There is not way I am going to get this done by the end of May. I am on a plane tomorrow and away from the bench for two weeks. If a mod can move this thread to the main WIP forum, I will reconvene when time allows.

Looks like a Spey Toom to me. At last! Thank you Peter.

About 30 in my head. In reality three (I think). Tamiya Spitfire IX (peak modelling moment), a Tamiya MkXVI, and a Revell Hawker Hunter. I have two more in progress (Tamiya Spit and another Revell Hunter) which are coming along apace, a glacial pace. But no, I am wrong! I also did three Wingnut Wings kits. But now I can't remember if I actually posted anything.

Wow! That looks gorgeous.

AHHHH, NO!!!!!! I have both kits and was not aware of any issues (at least almost unaware). Now I can't unsee the issues with the HK version. I am going to build it with one eye shut and the other squinting, enjoy the experience and put it on the shelf. At least I know not to put a lot of effort into detailing it Of course, if it was a Spitfire, I would be ranting about all the issues.

Ooops, my bad. Sorry about that.

Hmm, looks nice, although the tyres look a little flat to me. I am not convinced that three spoke wheels were used on wartime MkIXs. But I am not sure.

You could always build another one...