Tarasdad's 1/32 Revell Spitfire Mk II (New Tool)

[Tarasdad]

It took me a while to decide which kit to get for this buddy build. For the longest time I was leaning towards Revell's Bf 109G-10/Erla, but since I just finished (well, almost - needs paint) the Eduard Bf 109E-4 Weekend Edition I really wanted to do something different. When I saw the Spitfire Mk II kit I knew it was the one. I've always loved the elegance of the Spitfire design, and the role it played in the Battle of Britain cannot be overstated.

This will be only my second 1/32 scale aircraft kit since returning to the hobby. Due to limited funds I will have to do this OOB, no PE or resin goodies. I ordered the right paints so my primary focus will be paint and weathering. Should have the kit in a week or so and will post photos then.

[eightfooticeman]

Barry I'm sure you will knock this out of the park! Thanks for being apart of it.

[chief5437]

Great choice! I was going to do this as well. Decided on something else as I wanted some extras for it. Supposed to build into a great kit oob from what I've read. Good luck buddy!

[Tarasdad]

Kit will be here Tuesday! Won't be starting it right away as I'm currently working on a Tiger I for the 'Honour Coen' SIG build. Going to need to do a major reorganization of my workspace as well.

[eightfooticeman]

Totally understand that concept Barry, I'm also reworking the man cave for better production.

[Tarasdad]

Here she be!



I may do a little work on this while the primer on my Tiger I cures. I also have an idea about how to make the seat harness and a few other bits. We shalll see.

[Tarasdad]

Plastic bits:









Amd when they say new tooling they really mean it!

[eightfooticeman]

Alright! Now the fun begins, work your magic sir.

[Porta]

Revell make's here a winner! The first Spitfire Mk II in 1/32 since Hasegawa. If i can believe the rewiew's it's a good kit with very good fittings. As you know the kit has decal-options for 2 versions: No 19 Squadron RAF Fowlmere June 1941 or No 65 Squadron Kirton-in-Lindsey July 1941. I want to build this same Spitfire in a GB (on a other forum) as she has flown in the BoB (Batlle of Britain) but then i need some other registation. ( The first Mk II whas dileverd on July 17 1940, but the first Mk II saw action on August 31 1940 , with the 611 Squadron). Anyway, i am going to look how you make from this Spifire a succes!

Gr Porta

[Tarasdad]

Given how long this Buddy Build lasts I just might see if I can get some upgrade pieces for it. There is some attractively priced resin available from BarracudaStudios to spruce up the interior and correct some of the more egregious errors in the kit. I'm also looking at the Rotol prop and oil cooler from Eagle Editions. Then again I may just get so antsy that I build the sucker as it comes from the box!

[Tarasdad]

Antsy wins! Plus I really can't justify buying $40 worth of aftermarket parts for a $23 kit. Here's where I am on the cockpit:



The rudder pedals have been painted, just didn't feel like redoing the photo. One thing I did was fashion the missing seat armor plate from card stock. Where I can make simple upgrades like that I will. I'm going to try and fashion a seat harness next.

For anyone interested in building this kit be warned that the seat assembly is a real bear. There are six parts that have to be assembled to get the seat at the proper angle and none of them want to cooperate. You need four hands just to keep the parts remotely aligned!

[chief5437]

Looks great as is! I sometimes think we get suckered into the am stuff. Especially with things like that rear armour plate that is so easy to DIY! Depends how far you want to go, I suppose. That said, the only reason I'm not doing the same kit, is that I want to go to town on the extras, lol!! I'm just buying a little at a time, then it doesn't seem so bad!

Good luck with the rest of it, can't wait to see it come together now the cockpit done!

[Tarasdad]

Since this build lasts all year I just might see about doing at least one more build. All depends on money, as usual.

[JohnModeller]

Nice cockpit! This kit is fairly good, a few shortcomings, but it is undoubtedly amazing for it's price. It is a classic Revell kit. Quite good quality at a low price.
John

[Tarasdad]

FYI the instrument panel was done the same way I did the one in my 1/48 Eduard Bf 109E-4 - I cheated! Rather than sanding off all the detail to use the decal or trusting to my not-so-steady hands for painting the instruments I cut the panel decals into sections and applied them over the raised detail using copious amounts of Microset and Microsol. These decals weren't quite as cooperative as the ones in the Eduard kit despite both being printed by Cartograf in Italy. It took a few more doses of Microset to get them to snuggle down. They aren't perfect by any means but once the cockpit tub is installed and the fuselage closed up it will be hard to tell one way or the other.

[eightfooticeman]

Nice cockpit Barry, looking good!

[Tangles]

That's really ingenious what you did with the IP decals. Thanks for the tip, I'll be pinching that in a future build no doubt.

[planemaker]

Great work on the pit, Barry!

[Tarasdad]

Kit prop:



This may get replaced with a resin Rotol prop, haven't decided yet.