Finnish/Swedish Gladiator (skis, resin and decals)
Tamiya Spitfire (Mk.VI, resin and decals)
Has/Academy F6F-3 (engine/cowling, resin only)

Pavla, 1/72 scale

What can I say? Pavla's resin is among the best around with plenty of detail and no casting blemishes. In the past, I have been a bit critical of some of their decals (mainly the colours) but these look as good as any I have come across.

The first set is for ski equipped Gladiators flown by both the Finns and the Swedes. It is designed for their own (Pavla) kit of the Glad bag which just happens to be the best on the market. You get two types of both main skis and tail skis as each Air Force used a different design, plus a resin instrument panel and an under cowling scoop, all well cast and detailed.

Decal measure about 120mm x 75mm and cover two Finnish aircraft and one Swedish. All markings are supplied including some stencils.

The Mk.VI Spitfire set, designed for the Tamiya Mk.V, comes with an updated interior including (from the front) instrument panel, seat with lap belts moulded on (you have to supply shoulder straps), back and head armour and rear bulkhead frame. There are also wing tip extensions, four prop blades and separate spinner, cockpit pressurization scoop and starter blister. Again, these are all beautifully cast and detailed. Oddly for Pavla, they have only supplied one vac-form canopy so you will have to be careful with it.

Decals are supplied for two aircraft, BS111 (YQ-P) from No. 616 Squadron, Spring of 1942 and BR318 (DL-Z) flown by French pilot Jean Maridor of No. 91 Squadron, August of 1942. Although all major markings are supplied, there are no stencils, however, I doubt if that will be a problem for the kind of modeller who would want to tackle this kit.

This set is also available in 1/48 scale.

The last set is designed for the Hasagawa or Academy F6F-3 Hellcat and although it doesn't include decals or instructions, it still looks very good to me. It includes a two-piece engine, cowling and four very delicate cowl flaps, again, all nicely cast and detailed.

As with most resin sets these days, the modeller will have to remove the parts from casting blocks but I don't see that as a problem, even for those that haven't used resin before, although I wouldn't recommend these kits to inexperienced modellers.

Highly Recommended