Airfix Model Airplane Kit Starter Set A55001 Supermarine Spitfire MkVc, Skill Level 1, 1:72 Scale Review (2026)

Who this starter set is for

This kit is built around the idea of removing every barrier to a first build, bundling everything needed into a single box for someone, whether a child or an adult, picking up scale modeling for the first time. With 26 parts and a skill level of 1, the Spitfire MkVc is Airfix's own rating for an easy, beginner friendly build, well below the part counts and assembly complexity of the brand's mid and upper skill level kits. Anyone who already owns paints, brushes and glue from a previous kit gets less added value from the bundle, since they are paying for supplies they may not need, but a true first time builder avoids the confusion of shopping separately for compatible paint and cement.

What comes in the box

The set includes the 1:72 scale Supermarine Spitfire MkVc plastic kit itself, four Humbrol acrylic paints, one brush, one tube of poly cement, and decals for finishing the model, along with a display stand described as having a shadow effect base. Because the paints are water based acrylics rather than enamels, cleanup uses water rather than solvent, which suits a beginner, especially a younger one, better than a solvent based paint would. The scale, 1:72, is Airfix's common small scale for aircraft kits and results in a compact finished model that does not demand a large display space.

Building it as a genuine first kit

The low part count and skill level 1 rating mean assembly steps are simple and forgiving, with fewer opportunities for a small part to go missing or a tricky joint to frustrate a new builder partway through. The included poly cement is a standard plastic cement suited to styrene parts, and the four included Humbrol acrylic colors cover enough of the Spitfire's basic scheme to finish the model, though the palette is limited compared with buying individual paints matched more precisely to a specific aircraft's markings. Younger builders in particular may find the small 1:72 scale parts fiddly to hold without a small pair of tweezers on hand, since none are included in the set.

How it compares with other beginner kits

Airfix's own Bf109E-3 and Bf109F-4 starter sets follow the same skill level 1, all inclusive format, giving a similar first build experience with a different WWII aircraft subject for builders who want to avoid duplicating a Spitfire already on the shelf. The P-51D Mustang gift set follows the same pattern at a slightly lower score in this lineup. Airfix's own Quickbuild Spitfire, a snap together brick style kit, sits below this traditional glue and paint kit for builders who want an even simpler introduction, while Revell's Snaptite Beetle offers a non aircraft option built around the same no glue, easy assembly idea.

Verdict on the starter set

Given our score of 8.7 out of 10, this is a sensible, low risk way to try scale modeling for the first time without assembling separate purchases of paint, glue and brushes, and the well known Spitfire subject helps keep a first time builder motivated to see the project through. Anyone hoping for a highly detailed or accurate finish should look past the included basic paints toward a dedicated hobby paint range once they are ready for a second, more advanced kit. This set is best understood as an entry point rather than a lasting supply of paint and tools.

Frequently asked questions