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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Oct 16, 2022 3:43:13 GMT -5
Airfix have had a Spitfire in their range since 1955 and over the years it has been retooled several times, the last of these being in 2010 for the Mk1 variants and the kit featured here is the 14th and latest release of this tool and features an aircraft from the Battle of France in 1940.
So what do you get for your crisp 10 pound note?   [/div] The kit consists of three sprues, 2 in light grey plastic and a small one for the clear parts, a set of instructions and a set of decals. The parts count is 36 so nothing too onerous, and you get a single options for markings for 92 Squadron based in France in early 1940. I've also bought a set of canopy masks to make the painting of the clear areas much easier. So after a wash of all the parts in detergent and then a rinse and through dry, i made a start with the cockpit interior. Not much to show here as i've only glued two parts together, being the instrument panel and cockpit floor
More to follow
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Post by Tom on Oct 16, 2022 4:05:57 GMT -5
One of my favourite planes and one that I've built as a teenager. Nice, looking forward to the build.
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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Oct 17, 2022 2:38:16 GMT -5
One of my favourite planes and one that I've built as a teenager. Nice, looking forward to the build. Glad to have you onboard Tom  So some progress - forgive the rubbish pictures - this is a tiny model and the light isn't brilliant here as guess what it's raining! Rear cockpit bulkhead added  Test fit in the fuselage Seat & control column added  First coat of interior green Propeller and hub together  Spinner added and a coat of interior green for the fuselage  |
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Post by Tom on Oct 17, 2022 11:24:47 GMT -5
That's the part that I used to skip as a young one, too much patience required.  Plenty of gap left between the fuselage parts on my builds too. If only I had the space and time- I would love to see what I could make of this kit today. I bet yours will look great. |
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Post by reeft1 on Oct 17, 2022 14:24:36 GMT -5
Fond memories of doing airfix kits with my dad as a kid. A spitfire and an me107 were 2 that i built some 45+ years ago.
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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Oct 18, 2022 1:17:39 GMT -5
That's the part that I used to skip as a young one, too much patience required. Plenty of gap left between the fuselage parts on my builds too. If only I had the space and time- I would love to see what I could make of this kit today. I bet yours will look great. I was very similar back then. Always a rush, finger prints in the paint, filler needed everywhere
Well in terms of space i'm doing this all off a tray but i get the time part. You can get a bit lost in it
Fond memories of doing airfix kits with my dad as a kid. A spitfire and an me107 were 2 that i built some 45+ years ago. Exactly the same Paul. I remember the first one Dad & I did. Christmas 78 - it was a Mosquito. Very fond memories i have building these with him back in the day
So some more progress
Some detail painting in the cockpit. You will barely see any of this once its in place
Propeller in the booth
More detail painting on the cockpit and fuselage side
More of the same plus propeller tips in white in preparation for yellow
Fuselage floor and exhausts painted
Instrument panel decal - a touch of microsol will help it to conform to the dash panel
Oxygen tanks mounted
And the cockpit
Fuselage halves together
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Post by Tom on Oct 18, 2022 3:05:02 GMT -5
Nice work on the cockpit. I need to look into using Microsol, there's a stack of models waiting for decals (almost as high as the 'to be repaired' stack).
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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Oct 19, 2022 2:26:55 GMT -5
Nice work on the cockpit. I need to look into using Microsol, there's a stack of models waiting for decals (almost as high as the 'to be repaired' stack). Thank you Tom. Highly recommend it. Apply the decal, lightly brush with Microsol and then leave at alone, avoiding the temptation to smooth it whilst it crinkles up in front of you, until its dry
Some more progress
Propeller tips now yellow and wing construction started
Further wing construction
Cockpit surround painted and any visible paint defects inside corrected. Rudder attached
Wing attached
Tail wheel and main wheels painted
Tail planes attached
Canopy attached
Undercarriage painted
All the underside scoops, ducts and inlets added
Canopy masking begins
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Post by GBOAC002 on Oct 19, 2022 4:09:08 GMT -5
Keep up the good work Andy. While in Oxford near the 'airport' in early September I had the pleasure of hearing a Spitfire fly overhead and presume it was doing a test run for WWII celebrations or an upcoming air display. You cannot mistake it for anything else in either sound or looks. I shall look forward to seeing the finished article.
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Post by Tom on Oct 19, 2022 5:36:25 GMT -5
Coming together nicely! I used to paint before assembly, but this probably works netter.
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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Oct 20, 2022 1:11:18 GMT -5
Keep up the good work Andy. While in Oxford near the 'airport' in early September I had the pleasure of hearing a Spitfire fly overhead and presume it was doing a test run for WWII celebrations or an upcoming air display. You cannot mistake it for anything else in either sound or looks. I shall look forward to seeing the finished article. Will do Ian
Being reasonably near Biggin Hill where the Spitfire Factory is based I regularly see them overhead here, and I still look every time I hear that distinctive sound. Coming together nicely! I used to paint before assembly, but this probably works netter. Thanks Tom Over the years i've moved more towards making as much as possible and painting in as few goes as possible. Glueing painted parts without any marks can be tricky
A bit more progress
Canopy all masked
Reminder of the colours scheme
First pass of primer
And the second
And the top coat
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Post by Tom on Oct 20, 2022 10:48:31 GMT -5
That looks like a 300% better fit than I've ever achieved!
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Post by reeft1 on Oct 20, 2022 13:58:00 GMT -5
Impressive
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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Oct 21, 2022 2:57:51 GMT -5
That looks like a 300% better fit than I've ever achieved! All credit to Airfix Tom Thanks Paul
As we are now painting and it's multiple colours it's all going to slow down a bit so
Out of the booth and ready for masking
And masked
First coat of black
And second
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Post by WallOfCars on Oct 21, 2022 10:10:49 GMT -5
Andy, this is every bit as interesting as expected! I actually NEVER have built an aircraft model and you're so lucky to have experienced it with your Dad Your techniques all show sound logic and patience, something I certainly didn't have as a kid on the few car models I tackled  Would be fun to have an estimate of time at the bench for a model such as this? Perhaps you have an idea? Whatever the number, it's well spent as this looks extremely peaceful and relaxing in a 2022 world! Looking forward to more... |
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Plenty of gap left between the fuselage parts on my builds too.
