1/48 Airfix Spitfire Mk1 build

[shortCummins]

I started the "new-tool" Spitfire Mk1 kit





the IP dials are from the supplied decals however, I cut out the individual dials to avoid too much carrier film


seat subassembly


joystick subassembly

This Airfix kit is really good, so far, with an unexpectedly high level of detail

I've used Tamiya paints over a MiG grey primer

[Joesdad]

Good stuff buddy, I've been meaning to get one myself..... Please carry on

[Stokesy44]

Great start to a great kit. The new tool Spit is a dream to build. And it just looks right as it goes together. Lovely engineering. Enjoy!

[frack]

nice job

[Willem]

Nice one John. Keep the updates coming.

In good hands.

[frack]

look forward

[shortCummins]

guys, thanks for the comments and encouragement

I've buttoned-up the fuselage and encountered my first (minor) issue…





you'll see from the photos above that I've opted for the 'closed' canopy. When I stared out I'd opted for an open canopy with the pilots door open giving a good view of the interior. I'd decided on this as the interior and IP turned out OK with reasonable (better than expected) detail however, when I fitted the pilots seat sub assembly I'd somehow managed to set the seat slightly 'squew-wiff', it looks as if the pilot would have to fly the plane 'side-saddle' . Also the fit of the fuel tank panel left a gap between it and the main fuselage (see photos below)...



… in truth their not major gaps, a wee bit of filler was all that was needed however, the 'back' of the filler was/is visible in the cockpit, having an unobstructed view of it wouldn't be ideal! So, the iconic shape of the spitfire is with the canopy closed, I decided that that was the better option.

The kit instructions require you to cut away the the pilots door and replace it with the provided more detailed kit part. I'd removed the door so I had to retrieve it, luckily I hadn't caused too much damage removing the door and I'd kept the off-cut! So it was reasonably straight forward to re-place the door.
The next issue was that if you require a close canopy you need to remove part of the fuselage, not a big-deal but it would have been easier if I'd removed the excess while the fuselage was in two halves!
So my lesson learned from this exercise is to not aim to show extended detail on this type of kit, I've a Eduard Spitfire waiting in the wings for that! I'm NOT saying this kit isn't a good kit, IT IS, but it will make an OK model, not a showcase (at least with my limited skill set) so I shouldn't try to make it more than it is!

Next up is painting, I'd bought the Montex 'mini mask' for the cockpit canopy but in all honesty it just doesn't fit, I'll have to use the technique Paul shows in hid 'how to' videos, no a big deal but I've never tried it before.

I'd also like to thank Martin (UKguyInUSA) he showed a tip for reducing the amount of clean-up when using filler, a q-tip soaked in nail varnish, thanks buddy that saved me a lot of hart-ache

once I've masked the canopy and and added the primer I'll post some more progress

until then
as always, any suggestions or comments will be gratefully received.
rgds
John(shortCummins)

[Stokesy44]

Hi John, shame about buttoning up the cockpit, still, its a fine looking bird nonetheless. Like you, I have an Eduard Spit waiting in the wings so I'll see how they compare too. I've gone over to the other side for now and am building some armour so the Spit may have to wait!

Still watching your build, cant wait for the next updates as you get the paint flowing. Keep up the good work

[shortCummins]

thanks Stokesy, this is meant to be a quick build, so far I'm enjoying it, I want to take my time with the Eduard Spit to try and do it justice


so I've had my first crack at making my own cockpit mask following Paul's excellent 'how-to' video, here are some close-ups of my effort…




… It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

I've an idea that I should have tried to use one-piece of tape on each 'panel' however the bulge of the canopy prevented this so I'll have to wait and see how the overlaps work (or not)

I first sprayed interior green, I don't think this will be seen as its a closed cockpit but its not a bad habit to get into?


Next the whole aircraft was sprayed with MiG grey primer…




you'll notice that I've also used liquid-mask to cover the light(?) on the underside. Interestingly, Airfix don't mention this 'glass' part in the assembly instructions but they do show it fitted?

I then set about the pre-shading using a highly thinned Tamiya XF-1



And thats where I'm up to. I don't think I'll get much chance to do any more work on her until the week-end.

until then
as always, any suggestions or comments will be gratefully received.
rgds
John(shortCummins)

[shortCummins]

once I'd sprayed some primer I notice that the seam across the top of the engine was too noticeable so I needed to attack it with some green putty…


… I also masked the wing root so that I could spray some Tamiya flat aluminium (for chipping)


Engine re-primed and aluminium sprayed

I then added some Mr Masking Sol NEO


I got this idea from rubegoldberg's thread of his Mk.1 build…
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 45&t=10988
… check it out, and see Will's fantastic result

the underside was painted with Akan BS:210 - Sky Type "S"



next I freehanded Akan BS:450 - Dark Earth



then I masked for the Akan BS:641 - Dark Green using both white-tac and masking tape



Akan BS:641 - Dark Green applied



I now need to do the panel fading and other weathering stuff.

until then
as always, any suggestions or comments will be gratefully received.
rgds
John(shortCummins)

[patrickroos]

Great work!
Looking good so far!

[Joesdad]

Looking great Jon, Akan is lovely paint ain't it?

[shortCummins]

thanks guys

Akan paints are fantastic however, the Dark Earth and Dark Green are just too dark for what I want…




I had a look at Paul's log for his BoB Hurricane and he wrote that he'd used Mr Hobby RLM Brown and Tamiya Dark Green, those colours are what I'm after so I've ordered some.
Its not a complete loss as I'll use the current colours as a base, almost pre-shading, and use the new colours as 'highlight'

I'd also used liquid masking for chipping effects…

… this didn't work quite as I'd hoped so I'm going to cover the flat aluminium and use a different method for the chipping on the wing root.

I'm really happy with the Sky underside, I might do some limited panel fading but I'll decide about that after I've completed the top camo

I'll make a start on the green and brown when the paint arrives

until then
as always, any suggestions or comments will be gratefully received.
rgds
John(shortCummins)

[shortCummins]

..so I've received my Mr Hobby H66 - RLM79 sandy brown paint and went about using it and Tamiya RAF dark green to "high-light" panels and to give me more of the colours I wanted…








I really think the darker base colours have helped with defining each panel and I'm really please with the effect

I also mixed a pewter colour for the exhausts


next up is a coat of clear and then some decals before I can start the weathering

until then
as always, any suggestions or comments will be gratefully received.
rgds
John(shortCummins)

[Stokesy44]

Good choice of colours. Nicely done too.

[AdamLuscombe]

Looking very nice

[Pauljames]

Nice great job

[Ridgerunner]

Hi I've just aquired one of these AirFix Spitfires. Thanks for the info regarding the canopy and the build progress. It's looking great so far.
Cheers Jim

[Goose]

Very nice paint work.

Looking forward for the finidh line

see u

Goose

[shortCummins]

thanks guys

decals added…




final bits'n'pieces added, propellor, ariel & ez-line, wheels etc. and a flat coat…



final reveal photos here…
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 45&t=14178

thanks for looking
rgds
John(shortCummins)