The Mk 26 Spitfire is crated to the Kit builder with all parts except engine, prop and instruments. (Instruments being very much a question of personal preference.) All parts are numbered, boxed with packing lists. The packing lists must be checked and filed. This will become the builders concise parts list. Supermarine Aircraft is only selling complete Mk 26 kits (the Mk 25 has been superceded by the Mk26)

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES:

Airframe
The Spitfire airframe is a stressed skin construction. It is designed for strength and lightness. By virtue of the Spitfires curved “egg” shape, it becomes a very strong structure. Skin thicknesses vary in order to provide strength where required. Stringers are doubled and tripled in zones closer to the firewall and engine. A deep main spar carries primary wing loads. The firewall is stainless steel. Joints are riveted. Round head or countersunk blind rivets are used. If preferred solid rivets can be used where possible. This is the builder’s choice.

Airframe has been tested to 9g and is rated 6+ -4g
All fuselage bulkheads are pre-cut, formed and mounted on a central spine during Factory kit construction. The main spar, wing assembly and empennage sub assemblies are also pre-built using jigs in the factory. The fuselage is supplied to the kit builder as a pre-constructed assembly. This ensures structural integrity is maintained.

Components are mostly computer (Router) cut and standardised. Where possible all holes are pre-drilled (3/32”) and parts fitted together using pilot holes. This is a significant improvement, which will increase accuracy and speed of construction. (This will also reduce builder frustration!) The main spar for example will locate using bolts through matching holes in the correct fuselage bulkheads to ensure accurate fitment. Rudder and elevator frames have pilot holes to match up with the skins.

  

Materials
The aircraft is aluminium except for some fibreglass fairings. The engine cowl can be either fibreglass or aluminium. Aircraft grade alloy 2024 T3 is used for skin panels.

Treatment
All mating surfaces of pre-assembled parts of the Kit are etch primed.

Building Time
Supermarine Aircraft’s Spitfire is the world’s first aluminium kit Spitfire. The kit is currently only sold in a Fast build option. The Airframe components are jig assembled in the factory with over 700 hours of construction prior to shipping. The time to finish the kit  will vary from builder to builder but on average there is approx 1200 hrs to complete the kit.