Tamiya 1/32nd Spitfire Mk.VIII, Converted to a Mk.XII

By John Cicchino

This is the final build of what for me was a very productive 2025. This is the excellent Laminar Flow Design conversion for the Tamiya Spitfire; I used the Mk VIII as the base kit.

This kit was unique for me in that it was purchased, started and finished all in 2025. It was an extremely enjoyable experience, and Matthieu’s conversion is the essence of simplicity, engineering thoughtfulness and exceptional detail.

Outside of the LFD conversion I added a good handful of updates to the cockpit from BarracudaCals, Quinta, an Airscale Sutton harness, as well as a PE instrument panel. Master gun barrels and Aires wheels completed the exterior additions.

The kit was finished using MRP lacquers. 1ManArmy stencil masks were used in conjunction with the included LFD masks for serials and the spade nose art.

I found it difficult to fit the kit squadron codes in the spaces available beside the roundels, so I resized and cut new ones to a scale 20” on my silhouette; I also recut new roundel masks while I was at it. In the end the only exterior decals used on the build were the prop logos and one small one on the front of the slipper tank.

The Spitfire Mk. XII has always been my favorite Spitfire version and I’m happy to have it as the first one added to my display shelf.

Tamiya 1/32nd Spitfire Mk.VIII, Converted to a Mk.XII

By John Cicchino

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