Airfix 1:48 Spitfire Mk Vb

[matto21]

Hi all,

I'm right back with another build! For some reason I just can't motivate myself to work on the Bf-109, even though the hard work is more or less done.

I decided to build Airfix's recently tooled Spitfire Mk Vb.

Screenshot_20200419_084620.jpg

I've read all about the fit issues and poor undercarriage assembly but decided to just cross those bridges when I get to them.

I've only built one other "new tool" Airfix 1:48 kit, which was a Hurricane. I didn't really enjoy it and it's still on the shelf of doom in a half built state some 5 years later. Let's hope I have better luck this time!

Anyway work started, as usual, in the cockpit. Straight away I noticed some of the overly complex engineering and vague location of some parts that has been covered elsewhere. I didn't like the moulded seat armour, which is much too thick so I replaced it, along with sanding the headrest armour down.

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I also scratchbuilt some belts, I just don't like the flatness of etched ones. Not 100% accurate, but it'll do.

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Thanks for looking

Matt

[digger303]

[RangerNeil]

I remain amazed at what Airfix do in terms of inaccuracies. When tooling was hand-drafted there was some excuse for it but in these days of CAD/CAM there really is no excuse for things like missing panel details and over-thick seat armour.
I will be very interested to see how the rest of the build comes along though.

[digger303]

I remain amazed at what Airfix do in terms of inaccuracies. When tooling was hand-drafted there was some excuse for it but in these days of CAD/CAM there really is no excuse for things like missing panel details and over-thick seat armour.
I will be very interested to see how the rest of the build comes along though.

Now be fair they haven't upgraded their rulers yet from 1914 and only they are only marked in 1/8's of a inch...you wait when the boss gives them those fancy new metric ones. Rumored to be handed out very judiciously in the fullness of time and pigs fly..

[matto21]

I've been plodding on slowly with this, although I've found it a somewhat frustrating build so far.

Although over-engineered, the cockpit is really nice and looks great when painted and weathered.

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The IP in particular is a lovely piece of moulding. I used the kit decals and applied a light wash to highlight the details. The homemade seat belts look OK once painted in my opinion.

[matto21]

The fuselage halves go together really well but I, like others, had difficulty with the cowling part. Despite multiple dry fitting attempts, much sanding and scraping, I just could not get it to fit correctly and have been left with a slight gap despite my best efforts.

Screenshot_20200506_134440.jpg

I also had a gap of around 1mm at the wing root on both sides and its less than perfect despite multiple attempts to fill and sand. The tail planes were equally gappy and the cannon inserts needed work to blend them into the leading edge (note, only one installed above!).

Painting has commenced using a first for me - Vallejo Model Air. Mixed experience so far, although the colour looks good, I had constant issues with the paint drying on the airbrush tip meaning a relatively simple job took far longer than expected.

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Matt

[matto21]

Still plodding along slowly with this.

Upper camo colours are now being applied. I'll do the boundaries between the colours another time, when I have more patience!

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I've also not started the starboard wing yet and the camo will need some tweaking to get the balance right.

Matt

[matto21]

Morning all,

Glacial progress continues. The airframe is now finally painted although annoyingly I'll have to make a few corrections on the underside where the paint has lifted.

Next is a gloss coat to prepare for decals.

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Thanks

[aur0ra145]

Nice looking kit. Also, really nice photos.

[digger303]

Perseverance is paying dividends

[matto21]

Thanks both for the supportive comments. I've not done any modelling for ages, but kicked myself back into action over the weekend by finishing off the upper camo and then applying a couple of coats of gloss in readiness for the decals.

I've taken the markings from a sheet by DK Decals and they apply, and conform, to surface detail beautifully. They also don't crack around raised details, unlike the decals I used on my P-40. All in all I really like them, which is good because they cost more than the kit itself!

The decals set depict this aircraft painted all over dark sea blue, whereas I'm basing this on an online colour profile in middle stone/dark earth simply because I liked the brown cowling. I'm prepared to accept any errors or inaccuracies because I want to get this finished!

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Note, the area directly under the pilot access hatch is intentionally unpainted to make gluing the hatch easier later.

Matt

[BigWall]

It's looking great!

[digger303]

[matto21]

Thanks both for your interest. An empty house this weekend should have resulted in more progress, but good weather yesterday meant DIY and gardening had to take priority.

I managed to spend a bit of time at the bench last night and the majority of the decals are now applied. Can I just say again how good these DK Decals are...super thin and conform beautifully.

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My only criticism is the cost and the very limited number of roundels and tail flashes provided meaning to get proper value from the set, you'd need to buy these separately (or use kit provided ones of course!).

The other markings are those supplied by Airfix in the kit and to be honest, I'm not convinced. They look too heavy to my inexpert eye.

Matt

[Twokidsnosleep]

You are doing fantastic

How did you do your camo top deck blending? Would like to hear that as a weak spot for me
The cockpit details are fabulous
The belly blue looks very good despite the paint issues...likely the summer heat
Those decals do look good and I am pondering a set now

Summer time is a hard one to model for me...always other things to do outside, so I have a definite drop off and mojo swing
Just chill and let what happens happen


Scott

[BigWall]

It's coming along nicely!

[matto21]

Thanks Scott and Joe. All upper camo was sprayed freehand with no masking between colours. The only masking I used was between the lower (blue) and upper colours for that hard edge.

All I can say is thinned paint, relatively low pressure and a steady-ish hand. And be prepared to go back and tidy up any ragged bits afterwards!

Matt

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thanks Scott and Joe. All upper camo was sprayed freehand with no masking between colours. The only masking I used was between the lower (blue) and upper colours for that hard edge.

All I can say is thinned paint, relatively low pressure and a steady-ish hand. And be prepared to go back and tidy up any ragged bits afterwards!

Matt

Cheers Matt

[Hawkmoon]

All looking good and nice work

[aur0ra145]

Those are fantastic decals, nice work!

[matto21]

Hi all,

Bit more progress to share. Firstly the decals are pretty much done apart from one or two small ones. I hope you'll agree that it's starting to look like a Spitfire now, especially with the (unpainted) prop in place.

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Secondly the undercarriage. I knew this was a problem area before I started this build. What I decided to do was cut the legs flush, to avoid the strange stepped join that Airfix have you make, then drill and pin both parts.

Time will tell if this works, I'm leaving it as late as possible because I still don't think it'll be super strong, but dry fitting has at least proved the theory works.

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Thanks

Matt

[BigWall]

It's looking nice!

[AirCadet424]

Looking good sir and not far to go 'til the finish line, I like the colours of the paint that you've used for the camouflage here, some desert shades are a little too dark for my liking but I think yours are nearer the mark - well done!

Kev.

[matto21]

Thank you for the comments @BigWall and @AirCadet424 and sorry its taken so long to reply.

Been away from the bench completely since my last post (mid August). Hopefully I'll be able to get back to this soon!

Matt

[digger303]

[BigWall]

Welcome back!

[matto21]

Finally found some motivation to get back to work on this last night.

I thought that highlighting the panel lines and riveting would be as good a place as any to start so I've begun applying a wash using Neutral Brown from Ammo.

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I'm also pleased to report that my method of using wire to attach the undercarriage seems to have worked!

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Matt

[BigWall]

[matto21]

Better picture showing that undercarriage...

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Following round one of the panel lines washes, I've made a start on the exhaust stain too.

Note that the spinner is still unpainted and the visible grey patch under the access door is intentional to allow me to attach it once I've painted it!

Matt

[digger303]

Looking preety smart

[ForeverPlasticKits]

It is overweight your desert Spitfire, specially with the filter and the fuel tank ... Very nice camouflage!

[matto21]

Not too far to go now...

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Prop needs weathering and then a few final bits and I can call it done.

I'll be glad to get this off the bench!

Matt

[Twokidsnosleep]

You are getting sick of it, but she looks fantastic
Seem to have the same problem when projects linger too long on my desk
Keep at it

[BigWall]

Yes, keep it up! It's looking great!

[matto21]

Thanks @Twokidsnosleep and @BigWall!

Managed a couple of hours today so I'm inching ever closer to the finish line.

The exhausts were basecoated in Tamiya XF-24 Dark Grey and then oversprayed firstly with straight up XF-10 Flat Brown and then a 50/50 mix of XF-10 and XF-69 NATO Black.

A few washes later and they're looking OK to my eyes.

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Please note the prop is only dry fitted at the moment hence being loose!

And barring a flat coat, I think its almost complete!

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Matt

[BigWall]

I think your exhaust came out great!

[Parker]

awesome.

[matto21]

I'm nearly there now. Finishing line is in sight.

It's been pointed out to me that the rear of the prop would be scuffed and scratched because of the rough take off/landing conditions. I've made an effort to replicate this.

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The aluminium was sprayed using AK's Metal paint - never used it before but I'm impressed - with a layer of chipping fluid, followed by acrylic black.

I've always struggled with using chipping fluid effectively, but persevered and tidied up any bits I didn't like with a sponge.

Matt

[BigWall]

Nothing wrong with working something until you have it where you want it. The prop looks great!

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful work on the exhausts and prop.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Superb work on the exhaust and spinner/props
Wow

Somehow a 1/32 MkI has appeared on my cleaned up desk

[matto21]

Thanks all for the positive comments!

@Twokidsnosleep, I look forward to more progress!

Matt