Quickboost has added a pair of detailed Spitfire Mk.V cannon barrels to their aftermarket parts line that can be used to replace the ones that come in the new Airfix 1:48 scale kit. The barrels have a slightly more delicate profile than the ones in the kit and no seam lines to clean up. They also have open ends so there’s no need to break out the pin vice and # 76 drill bit. The base of the Quickboost barrels are molded to match the shape of the Airfix barrels so they will fit into the leading edge recesses as drop-in replacements. (see the comparison photo below of the Quickboost parts and the kit parts). The detail closely mirrors the kit parts, but the Quickboost barrels capture the look of the prototype with crisp and more refined recoil springs that appear less pronounced. With some adjustment, these barrels also may be used on kits other than Airfix.

All Quickboost’s parts are cast in their familiar gray resin. Everything comes on a small casting block with sidebars to protect the gun barrels. Parts can easily be separated from the casting block with a razor saw or xacto blade. There is no flash in the open areas between parts and with no seam lines cleanup is a non-issue. However, because the material is resin, it will be necessary to use superglue (CA) or epoxy cement to attach the aftermarket parts to the kit’s styrene plastic fuselage sides.

This set is highly recommended as a quick and easy way for a modeler to enhance the detail of Airfix new Spitfire Mk.V (and, with some adjustment, maybe also the detail of Tamiya and Hasegawa Spitfire Mk.V kits).

My thanks to IPMS/USA and Quickboost for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this aftermarket detail set.