What's the difference between both Airfix Spitfire Mk. Vc model kits?!

Airfix recently released 2 versions of the same Spitfire. Both represent a Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vc in 1/72 scale, but one is a starter set and the other is a normal (more "detailed") version. But why?

Join me in this video as i take a look at both kits, the differences and what I think about it - what would I have done differently?

For a more in-depth look at both kits take a look at those unboxings:
Airfix Spitfire Vc Starter Set:

Airfix Spitfire Vc:

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This video is intended for adult scale model enthusiasts.
Model Minutes holds no responsibility for any accidents, damage or injury that could occur as a result of attempting to replicate any steps depicted in this video. This video is intended for entertainment only.

Unless specifically indicated, all products have been independently purchased.

Music used from Epidemic Sound:

#Airfix #Spitfire #Modelkit

[lyndonbull]

I think that the starter set is just made simpler, for obvious reasons. And Airfix are capitalizing on their investment to offer the other kit, with more options for the more experienced modeler. This makes total sense, but for the fact that they did this with their recent small scale tanks, offering one piece or multi link tracks in the same box. Having said that, its probably not practical to do the same for aircraft models, so I applaud them for the 2 offerings. I must say that I fancy one in US markings, so having recently completed the starter set version and being reasonably impressed, I have just ordered the other boxing. Matt, your video has inadvertently made me make this purchase, but in a good way, keep up the good work mate.

[Gremlins_Modelling_Mayhem]

Totally agree, having built a much earlier version of the Vb than you have Matt, it would have been sense to retool the Vb not a 2nd Vc and why not a mk 9 or 15?

[johnalecritchie]

Watching this while listening to the LIV ARS match. Very thorough! I don't build up planes but enjoy all your vids. Cheers!

[HotelPapa]

My thought of Airfix's decision process: We are 1) retooling the Vc to current standards. We also want to 2) make a beginners kit, where we remove each and every possibility to make a mistake and make the parts breakdown so that less cleanup is required (I think the way to mount the canopy with less risk to get gluey thumbprints all over it is brilliant, so is the integrated cowl an exhausts. The difference in the wings, btw, is mostly the internal structure, which is molded in for the beginner).
With current CAD design processes we can get 2) out of 1) with little additional effort. Making the Vb as a simplified version would have meant more CAD modeling, more development effort. Also the advanced modelers would have moaned that they want the Vb in a non-dummy version.

[dwightgouin]

I agree in that it would make more sense to make the Vb as the starter set then as your skills develop you could go on to the Vc or go back and start the Va and so on. Great video today and always look forward to the next one!

[dcmchugh]

Completely agree.The old vb would have made a good starter set. Admittedly it's been a very long time since I made one but it was simple to build and went together well .The new vc looks a good kit with lots of options but I won't buy one yet as I have a Revell vb .If Airfix wanted to re tool another of their spitfires they should have re done the mk 9 tooling. Having never built one before I got the chance to a couple of years ago and it was woeful !

[tomburley]

Since Airfix are not focused on "competing" with their own products you need to look at the versions being offered by competitors. A starter kit is offer to entice new customers to the joys of model building or simply offering a complete "rainy day kit" that is a self contained fun one day build - again to stimulate a new modeler.
The "standard kit" offers options in both paint schemes and version "variants" - some people actually like to build up multiple versions of the same aircraft and might even build different manufacturers versions of the same aircraft. Good on Airfix for creating additional incentives to increase sales opportunity.

[Slycockney]

I've made the tropical version with American markings and have to say it's a lovely kit.

[jorgereixach]

I have 15 of the 22 versións of the Spitfires in 1/72 the "american Spit " got the "abukir" filter used in África front.

Thank you for your review of the two Spitfires.

[lewispowell]

im guessing the reason they have two of the same kit is that they didnt want to do a full redesign as well as full new tooling for a new product range that they haven't trialled before (ie a genuine basic model for starters as opposed to a normal kit plus some paints). it probably takes as much if not more investment to create the virtual model. once you have that its trivial to chop it up in a different ways.

from a business point of view they probably assume the majority of hobbyists are not really interested in easy to build kits with essentially no options and limited detailing on some parts, also they don't actually know how big the market is for true easy build starter sets so this is them stepping into a new area. if only 10, 000 easy build kits actually sell then they wont recover the £100k tooling cost.

you need to remember these are two different products aimed at two different customer groups if they were to do a different mk of spitfire they would have been doubling at least the cost investment and not increased the sale estimates. and while you may say it could eat into sales of the existing Vc id like to point out that you have it in your stash and wernt going to buy it again.... and i bet money that a good chunk of your viewers have it in their stash or on display already.

[yvesdubois]

Yes, I agree too.
We are still waiting for a very good spitfire mkVb on this scale, and Airfix could have built a new mold for this version, it had the tools and the way to make it!
I hope it's just a matter of time.

[lpjmodels]

That's a very helpful overview thanks Matt !

[foreverplastickits]

*It's very interesting to compare this different models from a single brand, sometimes managers took some decisions that we can't understand! Whatever, thanks for this video!*

[mikemodels]

I think the starter set giving you a simplified model is a good idea. When you gain more skills you tend to build more complex kits.

[VFCproductions]

Good comparison and good points made so thank you. But if I can try to defend Airfix a little... The starter set will probably be around in the same form for a very long time, but that wouldn't sell to the intermediate or higher modeller (I'm certainly not interested in a plane with a big hole in the wing for a display stand!) The tooling for the regular Vc is done in such a way as to have potential for a Vb amongst others and I would expect (and hope) to see it re-released in lots of different forms in years to come. I assume they tried to find a compromise in tooling for both ranges and couldn't.
Why release both as a Vc from the offset? Don't know.
Do we need another Spitfire? Yes, Matt. Always yes.

[lilchris]

Hi there thanks for your video on these kits. I started making Airfix kits in the late 50's/60's has a kid, I have not made many since, apart from a kit of a old Mini I made last year. I found your channel when looking for video's on airbrushing, but I recently found out about the Airfix mystery box deal so I ordered one. In it is the new Spitfire kit, a kit of the P51 Mustang and a starter kit of the F15 if I remember correctly. I decided to have a go and get my hand in and build a few kits before I try building a kit my son bought me 2 years ago. A kit of a Honda 400-4 one of my favourite motor cycles, I used to have one for real in red. The main modelling I have been doing is my N-gauge model railway which I started when I retired, I can be found on the n-gauge forum under the same name. I am on my third layout, having scrapped the first two has I found out more of what I wanted ie to watch trains go by.
I have subscribed now and plan to watch your video on the spitfire for tips. I have invested heavily in a new compressor and airbrush and this time a spray booth. For years I have sprayed into a old cardboard box using my 30 year old 150L Badger airbrush, I did wear a mask but I have a proper one this time. The paint for the Honda kit has solvents in it, it is Japanese, ie Mr Hobby/Mr color, but is a perfect colour match, so I thought it a good idea to play safe. Chris.

[franktozier]

I agree with you. The starter kit MK.VC should be a V B.

[tcandle]

I agree with you. Airfix has a lot of classic kits that really need an update to today's standards. The only reason I will buy the standard Vc kit is the decal. I love shark mouth liveries.

[fiftiesbinman]

i bought the starter kit after watching this will skip the SuperMarine one, , will pick a different one.. cheers for the info...

[melvinjohnson]

Excellent video and only 15 dislikes and 450 likes, the sign of a solid YouTube channel.