Airfix Spitfire F Mk 22 1:72 - First build in ~30 years

[flundstrom2]

So, I finally decided to do some modelling again, after a 30 year hiatus. Starting simple - since I never got any good at modelling back in the days, I've opted for a couple of WWII a/c's in 1:72 scale, in order to practice.

Hopefully I have better patience and some better glues, paints and tools - although a fool with a tool is still a fool.

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In anticipation...

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Cockpit and pilot completed - at least what I thought ...

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... until I've glued it to the fuselage and discovered that I've mounted half the parts incorrectly... Undo and redo ...

[flundstrom2]

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Finally the fuselage and wings are mounted, and it actually looks like an aircraft!

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Undercarriages, cooler and air intake in place including paint on the underside.

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Masking for brush-painting.

[flundstrom2]

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Camouflage in place. Easier than I thought, although it could of course be made better. But this is, after all, a learning process.

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Placement of all those microscopic (1x1mm) decals really tried my patience...

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... so did gluing the tailwheel. But a toothpick certainly helped.

[flundstrom2]

And it's finally completed!

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[flundstrom2]

... And the closeups really reveal all defects; air-bubbles in the paint, dust-particles and brushstrokes.

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Lessons learned:

• The paint can always be stirred a little more
• There's a reason why it's highly discouraged to brush over already painted area before the paint has dried - it really curls up and causes lots of particles and brushstrokes
• The matt varnish I used caused white stripes. Not sure why, since I did dilute and stir it good.
• 2x2mm transparent pieces are really hard to handle. "Which side is up?"
• Decals are a pain in the ***.

The paintjob turned out a little worse than I had hoped, but not too bad. I turned a few decals upside down or inside out, a few broke, most caused silvering and I lost one of the microscopic 1x1mm ones. But all in all, I'm pleased and satisfied.

Next up is a Junkers Ju 87B Stuka.

[flundstrom2]

And for the one interested in the gory details:

All paints were brush-painted Humbrol acrylic, with a few exceptions since the store didn't have them in stock.

Pictures were taken with Canon EOS 760D, plus EF 50/1.4 prime lens. Most used 1/50s shutterspeed at ~f/2, but the images of the completed kit used f/16 at approx 1s shutterspeed. Fot the close-ups, I used a set of extensiontubes to get really close used, which required f/22, and up to 20s shutterspeed. Needless to say, a tripod was mandatory...

[SergioSolo]

Great to know you're back into modelling! If it's fun, don't pay attention to technical flaws

[chief5437]

Nice job on your first build, don't worry too much about any flaws, we are our own worst critics! Things will get better every time you do them. The biggest leap forward I found when getting back to modelling was getting an airbrush. The finish is so much easier to achieve,. You can pick one up really cheap these days, and if you stick with it you can upgrade later.
Anyway, nice work buddy, and welcome to ISM!

[Elve1984]

Welcome back in modeling. Ik think ya got a nice result for a first build

[Smiffy]

Great Spitfire and return to modelling

[Sturm]

For your first kit in 30 years, that's pretty good! I remember my first kit and it was not as good as yours, for one you didn't fog up the clears part or brush paint enamels without thinning them. (Boy was I a noob) Unlike most people I brush paint most of my models, I found Vallejo paints work best for that. A simple way to get rid of some of the brush strokes it to take a wet brush and go over the area you painted when it's dry. As for getting rid of the bubbles and dust particles...I have not figured that out yet..yea I'm still a noob. Anyways look foward to see more of your work!

[flundstrom2]

Thanks!

[PrivateMansoor]

I have just started the same kit - for the Shiny Things GB - in a metal finish offcourse.
Great job for a first build. I am also a brush painter - I paint with enamels though. Great work on the cockpit and also on the Chamo Scheme.

[Kevthemodeller]

Nice one looking forward to your Ju87

[AdamLuscombe]

Great job for a first build!