SPA Modeler

Hello, after finishing the Bf 109 G-6, I still find myself firmly planted in European Theater mode. I wanted something quick and easy to tide me over until my eagerly anticipated Zveda Bf 109 F-2 arrives. So why not a Tamiya Spitfire? I decided to yank my MK. Vb from the stash, which is the edition with pilots and crew. Some time ago I "invested" in Victory Productions "Aces of tne Empire" Spitfire decals, with 40 Spit aces! Its only a matter of deciding which ace to model. After perusing the sheet, I'm down to Paddy Finucane and Eric Lock.



I started with the cockpit. I don't mind the Tamiya cockpit the way it is. In my opinion, all it really needs is a PE seat belt. Ufortunately I'm out of RAF belts and I had a Quickboost seat in the resin stash, so I used it. I think Ultracast does a better Sptifire seat but the QB version is acceptable. Anyways, after an XF-1 Flat Black preshade of all the parts, I used XF-71 Cockpit Green mixed with XF-19 Light Grey to come up with my own interpretation of RAF interior green. The seat was painted XF-64 Red Brown with a touch of XF-7 Flat Red to simulate the bakelite color of these seats.




I also like the Instrument panel Tamiya provides. Eventhough the gauges are blank. Its very 3 dimesional and drybrushes easily. Here I drybrushed the face, added some color to busy it up, After a gloss coat, wash, dullcoat, the dials got a drop of 5 minute epoxy to simulate glass.



Like a glove (in my best Ace Ventura voice).....





The Fuselage was sealed with Tenax and I test fitted the wings....The fit is excellent.



Where I stopped...more to come soon...

Joe

That is one damn fine lookin pit!!!

lawdog114 wrote: After perusing the sheet, I'm down to Paddy Finucane and Eric Lock.

Not sure who belongs to which plane....but the black belly looks killer!!!

You are so incredible fast with finishing those magnificent pits. I'm jelous all over!

Those convex "glass" covers look so real. What type of glue did you use for them?

Awfully nice work! Wow.

Well done till now Lawdog out of other works i'm building a Vb too in 1/72
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nice office ya got there!

mostrich wrote:Those convex "glass" covers look so real. What type of glue did you use for them?

Thanks all. I use 5 minute clear epoxy. It works great and is sort of thick so it doesn't go everywhere like say future would. The only problem is you have about 5 minutes to get 'er done.... .......Then you have to mix more...

Joe

I'm finally in for an update. These things do pretty much fall together. I had some minor sanding/rescribing at the wingroot fuselage joint but that was about it. Gotta love these Tamiya Spitfires...



I also removed the wing strengthening strakes which Tamiya molds to the top of their wings (2 each wing). Some planes had them.....others didn't. I really don't like them so I shaved them off with acurved Exacto. It was easier than one would think.



The seams were primed with Alclad Grey and I got to preshading the panel lines. The Spitfire generally takes a while.



I ultimately decided on Eric Lock's 611 Squadron machine, which, according to Victory Productions, carried the earlier Dark Earth and Dark Green over Sky scheme. Lock's Mk. V was apparently an early production version that swung the De Havilland propeller. The kit comes with the Rotol version, so I'll either source this from my Mk. I in the stash or get an Ultracast replacement.

I sprayed the fuse band XF-21 Sky. After I taped it off, I concocted my own "Sky type S". I started with XF-21 Sky, added a touch of X-3 Flat Yellow then a few drops of XF-76 Grey Green. I just toyed with the mixture until I liked it. Once satisfied, I added XF-2 Flat White and made condensation streaks. Here we are...



Here we are after a post shade. I like to stop just before it becomes too much...




Now time for the uppers. On a previous zero build, I decided to try to paint on Japanese Hinomarus in lieu of decals. It worked great, so due to my absolute hatred for British roundel decals, which I always have issues with, I decided to try to paint the upper wing ones on as well (I'm not adventurous enough to try the bullseyes yet). I started by using the decal sheet as a size and color reference, then I took XF-7 Flat Red with some XF-1 Flat Black added to darken it. After spraying this down, I used a fresh Exacto knife in my circle template to the appropriate size. I then did the same for the Flat Blue (XF-8), to include darkening it a bit. After the larger circle, I'm here...(I also sprayed the black wing walk lines and then taped them off)...




I simultanously decided to paint in the the striped fin flags. It was a taping and spraying exercise which required some though. I started with the white, taped it off, then sprayed and taped the red and blue, using the kit decal as reference thusly....



Then I taped off the correct size...done



It was now time for the scheme. As I said, Lock's ride apparently had the early scheme. This was my first experience with Gunze Aqueous Dark Earth. I don't know, I'm no expert, but it seems a bit too red. Perhaps this color was more red than brown...



I then began the tedious process of taping off the camo for the dark green. I used Blue Tac rolled up to mark out the pattern then post it notes and masking tape to fill in the areas that are to remain brown. This looks horrible yeah?..............but it works...



I then found that my XF-83 RAF Green bottle was almost empty.....doh! Too many Spitfires! I took what was left of it as reference and tried to mix it with some greens I had. Tamiya recommended 5 parts XF-62 Olive Drab and one part XF-58 Olive Green, so I started there. I then added some more Olive Green and then XF-61 Neutral Grey until it looked close. After adding some XF-57 Buff for condensation streaking, here it is untaped....



I must say I'm happy with the results of the painted roundels and fin flash...




I gave the frame a minor postshade around the engine and guns. I also fired in some subtle exhaust streaks. It will get more later...



I hope to be clearcoating and then decaling soon...

Joe

very, very nice!