Tamiya 1/48th Supermarine Spitfire mk.I

[Stuart]

Soooooooooooooooooooo..... RAF Cockpits in WWII were largely painted all over RAF interior green (Whatever is was actually called - I think Tom had it right) until about mid-way through the war, when the upper parts (think level with the bottom of the IP and up) of the cockpit were painted black to reduce glare - eventually that gave way to all over black. It was only the cockpit area on a Spitfire that should be painted green - the rest was NMF. I've actually painted this wrong, as from behind the frame holding the seat aft, it shouldn't be green.

The seat in the early Spitfires was made from a bakerlite type material and was a reddy-brown colour - I think it was some kind of resin impregnated paper, but I could be confusing that with drop tanks. Pretty soon into the war they were replaced with metal seats painted green. The cushions were black leather on some.

I've not heard of early pre-war cockpits painted grey, but that doesn't mean they weren't - I might actually look into that because I'm curious. Do you have any references Tom, I'd be interested to know? I wonder if it was fabric dope on the Hurricanes maybe?

Bruce - thanks for that pic of the Kotare instructions - that's the one - they were retrofitted to the aircraft during 1940 along with other things such as self sealing tanks.

[Stuart]

I already said it, but I'll say it again. I love that cockpit Stuart. Looks great with the pilot sitting in it!

Cheers Chris I really appreciate it

[Stuart]

Prior to 1940, they were yellowish beige green or “apple green”.

Where did you hear that Tom? I'm fascinated to know as I'd not heard that.

[BlackSheep214]

Google early spitfire cockpit color.

Your cockpit color is fine. I’m finding some images as Apple green and grey green. Green zinc chromate would be a bit too dark. Testors Willow Green FS14187 / RLM 25 could easily pass as “apple green”. I know I have that color in my paint stash - just not sure of its condition since I last used it. Over time enamel version tends to get gummy if not used. Acrylic may be fine. Just not sure if mine is enamel or acrylic.

Willow green / RLM 25 is the perfect color for oxygen tanks in aircrafts

[BlackSheep214]

Here’s the info I found as Early Spitfire cockpit color:

Early Spitfire cockpits (Mk.I) were generally painted in a pale grey-green rather than the later standard Cockpit Grey-Green, often described as an "apple green" or a bright, pale green similar to other Supermarine aircraft. Some early examples may have used this brighter green, with a transition toward a more standardized grey-green by mid-1940.

Color Profile: Early (1938-1940) interiors used a pale, vibrant apple green.
Standardization: As production progressed, this shifted to the standard RAF cockpit grey-green.

Seat Material: Early Mk.I seats were typically dark, reddish-brown "papier-mâché" (pulp and resin) composite, though some could be painted metal.

Specific Recommendations: Kotare's 1/32 kits recommend a mixture for early Spitfire interiors that highlights a specific, bright, slightly-yellowish green rather than standard drab green.

Instrument Panel: Usually black.

Details: The cockpit area, from the firewall forward to the instrument panel, was typically the same green, while the armor plating behind the seat was often painted to match the interior, or in some cases, dark grey.

Common Modeling Paints (Approximate):

Early Green: Tamiya XF-71 (Cockpit White/Green) or a custom mix of green and yellow.
Seat: A mix of red-brown, often with a leather pad.


Another opinion on a google search as Early Spitfire Mk.I cockpit color:


Early Spitfire Mk.I cockpits (roughly K9787–N3195, 1938–early 1940) were generally finished in a distinct light, vibrant green, often described as "Apple Green" or a pale, yellowish-green rather than the later, standard RAF Interior Grey-Green. This early shade was sometimes matched to Humbrol 90 (Beige Green) or a mix approximating "Eau-de-Nil".

Key Details for Early Mk.I Cockpits:

Color: A bright "Apple Green" or pale, slightly yellowish-green was prevalent in the earliest examples produced at Southampton.

Transition: While sometimes confused with standard RAF Interior Grey-Green, the earliest machines used a more vibrant tone.

Areas Covered: The green covered the cockpit sidewalls, bulkhead, and seat.

Structure: Structural areas behind the pilot (rear fuselage) often remained in unpainted silver dope (aluminium).

Instrument Panel: Usually black, though some earlier versions had components in the cockpit green.

Recommendation for modeling: Use a light, bright green with a yellow tinge, rather than a dark grey-green. Some modelers prefer mixing light green with a touch of beige to match the early "apple" shade.


Stuart, I honestly feel you’re on the right track; so don’t fret over whether it’s the right or wrong cockpit color for the Mk.I. I’d probably paint it the same color as yours anyway. Why? Because I made the decision to go with the RAF grey green and that’s what I had available in my paint stash.

[Stuart]

Stuart, I honestly feel you’re on the right track; so don’t fret over whether it’s the right or wrong cockpit color for the Mk.I. I’d probably paint it the same color as yours anyway. Why? Because I made the decision to go with the RAF grey green and that’s what I had available in my paint stash.

Hi Tom - No worries, I'm happy with what I've done on this one. But I do actually want to build a early pre-war mk.I with the lower canopy and two-blade prop, so that's really fantastic information, I had no idea. That's one of the things I love about being on forums, you learn something new everyday. I might actually print your post and add it to the Spitfire books I have.

Cheers Dude!

[Stuart]

The fuselage is together - the parts fit well enough but there's still a step over the nose and a few areas on the rear fuselage that'll need filling.



The worst part was this silly little bit that needs adding over the nose. I'm really not sure what Tamiya was thinking with this - there's real reason I can see why this part needs to be separate, and all it does is introduce a seam that isn't there.



Surprisingly for Tamiya, the fit of this part was bloody awful - I have to do a fair bit of fettling and in the then had to remove the locations tabs, otherwise it had a 0.25mm gap at one end. As it is it's left a nasty step on the cowling that'll need filling - poor show Tamiya.



Anyway it's all an easy fix - Filler applied. I've not built a WWII aircraft yet that didn't need some...



Cheers All!

[BlackSheep214]

Yeah… I saw it comes with a two bladed propeller. I found it odd and wondered if the transition from 2 bladed propeller to a 3 bladed propeller made a difference in speed/manueverability in a dogfight. I know later versions had 4 bladed propellers, even 5 bladed propeller in later years to the end of the war.

[Stuart]

Getting rid of the fixed two blade and replacing it with the variable pitch 3-blade propeller made a huge difference in the climb rate and speed Tom - they should have never been fitted with the two-bladers really.

The 5 blade props where fitted to the Griffon engined Spitfires - the final mark of Seafire actually had a 6 blade contra-rotating prop.

[speedgraflex]

Wow, thank you for such detailed photos and narrative, Stuart. That does seem an odd design choice to make an end cap in a high visibility area! One note from my Da about using putty is the amount used—is that amount of PPP necessary? My Da would apply red Bondo in thin layers and that’s how I do it too, avoiding sanding almost completely. Sanding puts the lungs at risk he would say to me, so that’s the approach I’ve always taken. Now I’m curious to know what you think! Let me know! And this is by no means a critique of your work, which is brilliant!