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After the Tempest was finished and the Hurricane was in the “paint shop” I started on the Spitfire IXc, this was a low key build and done when I had time from the Hurricane and other non modelling jobs allowed. For the build I decided to use a Yahoo Instrument panel as I did not like the multi layered kit panel. Markings would be mostly painted on using Montex masks, I have a set of Maketar masks as well just in case. For stencils I have a set of HGW Wet Transfers. My subject would be Johnnie Johnsons Spitfire EN398 an early Mk. IX some markings would come from the Victory Productions Spitfire - Aces of the Empire. This will be my first Spitfire IX, the last one that I built was an Airfix 1/72 scale kit, a lot of years ago, I do have a couple of Revell Mk.IX's and a Tamiya one in the stash but the PCM kit was the first IX in 1/32 scale on the market so I will give it a go. The subject will differ from the kit subjects in that it is an early Mk. IX and would have the features listed below, luckily as I found out the kit contains the necessary parts to achieve this. I got a lot of information from this article on the Spitfire site http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/johnnie-johnsons-spitfire-revisited.html EN398 was built between Nov 42 and Aug 43, the narrow cannon bulge came out Jan 44 so it would have the broad bulge. 1. “C” type wing with two cannon but broad cannon blisters, 2. Small teardrop blister at starboard engine cowling housing the cabin blower driveshaft 3. “Small” carburettor intake 4. Single-angled horn-balanced elevator 5. Cheese cutter IFF the later IFF (Mk.III) was introduced March 43 but the photo of EN398 shows wires. 6. The Merlin 63 engine was equipped with fuel cooler featuring a prominent circular intake in the port wing root 7. A gun camera in the starboard wing root. 8. Serial number EN398 was applied in small serif-style lettering on top of the fuselage band 9. Fishtail exhausts were fitted 10. Not sure about the headrest as early IX models are reputed to have them. Although the aircraft was still only two months old, it would seem that it was repainted before transfer to the HQ flight so minimum weathering. And I found this photo which I will use as a guide for the build as most Spitfires were updated in service I want to "capture" it at this point in time. The build is at a quite advanced stage now but I kept detailed notes and photos of the various stages, so don't imagine that this is a speed build. The kit comes with some impressive instructions, painting and marking guides and a large decal sheet, this is what you get in the box. First up is the box itself The instructions which are quite well detailed Painting and markings guide The very generous decal sheet The resin parts, which are most impressive The PE And the main course More to follow Cheers Dennis