Supermarine Seafire F.17

CMR, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Recently, CMR has raised the bar for the quality of 1/72 scale resin kits. Their Spitfires and Seafires released over the last year represent the Rolls-Royce of Merlin powered modelling in this scale.

CMR has now extended the family with a 1/72 scale Supermarine Seafire F.17.

The kit is all-resin except for the vacformed canopy. Two styles are included, and two of each are supplied in case of slip-ups with the hobby knife.

The parts are superbly cast with crisp, finely recessed surface detail. Interior detail is equally good.

The wing is particularly noteworthy, being a single-piece casting with cannon bulges, ejector ports and deep wheel wells all cast in place. Trailing edges are admirably thin, and the large casting is not warped.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The fuselage halves are already separated from their casting blocks. One fuselage half is warped , but I have test fitted the two halves and the warp will be corrected when it is glued to its starboard side counterpart.

This sample has very little resin waste (flash) around the borders of the large parts - a noticeable improvement over earlier releases. Also, the one-piece wing is supplied with no casting block and will be ready to use after a few minutes' attention with a sanding stick.

Smaller parts are packed securely in separate compartments of a plastic  bag. These are as impressively cast and as well detailed as the wings and fuselage. Options include a separate pilot's door (you'll have to cut the existing door out of the fuselage) and alternate positions for the "stinger" tail hook. A small amount of scratch building is required for the pilot's rollover support and the protective wire cage for the tail wheel.

All control surfaces are cast in neutral positions.

Markings are supplied for three Seafires finished in a choice of either Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey over Sky or Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky. The first option also features yellow codes and yellow elevators, wing tips, ailerons and outboard leading edges.The decals are perfectly in register and appear to be very thin.

Resin tends to be a less forgiving medium to work with than polystyrene, but the relatively simple parts breakdown and superb quality will make this kit ideal for the modeller who wants to try their first all-resin kit.

This is a gorgeous kit of an attractive and interesting subject.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to CMR for the review sample

CMR Models are available online from Hannants in the UK,
NKR Models in Australia and quality specialist model retailers worldwide.