Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1 | Tamiya | 1:48

Post by **Parker** » Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:03 am

Back on the horse after a few weeks away. I haven’t done the most famous British fighter aircraft in history, so thought I’d give it a go. In your face Luftwaffe.

So far so good, no issues. All seems pretty straightforward. The main thing I’ve noticed is how small it is compared to my more recent builds.

Anyway, WIP below…

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:42 am

Nice - I've got a MkV in the stash so looking forward to seeing how this goes together

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Tue Jun 22, 2021 5:30 am

Built the Airfix version not too long ago, looking forward to seeing this one come together

Post by **Garion77** » Tue Jun 22, 2021 11:17 am

Will follow for sure. I have it in my stash and it supposed to go together pretty well. Also have Mk VIII and V from Eduard that I will do in a near future with a resin cockpit.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:58 pm

Just built the 1/32 Revell version of a MkI...the kit was older than I am
You should be in for a treat with Tamiya. Best wishes for a clean build

Post by **Parker** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:59 am

Thanks for looking in fellas. Hope you're all keeping well.

All coming together very easily so far.
Wings on. That distinctive Spitfire wing shape really is beautiful.
Next step is the canopy, traditionally my Achilles heel.

I've left off a couple of flaps. I'm developing a narrative at the moment that this bird has a couple of damaged/replaced flaps. TBC.

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **digger303** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:38 am

Parker wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:59 am Thanks for looking in fellas. Hope you're all keeping well.

All coming together very easily so far.
Wings on. That distinctive Spitfire wing shape really is beautiful.
Next step is the canopy, traditionally my Achilles heel.

I've left off a couple of flaps. I'm developing a narrative at the moment that this bird has a couple of damaged/replaced flaps. TBC.

Cheers all.
-P

Nice
I've yet to see a build with a line of cannon shell across it....

No one wants to see there lovely spit shot up

Post by **Tomcat64** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:54 am

Nice progress mate - that's looking very tidy.

Interested to see how you're planning on beating this up

Post by **Parker** » Fri Jun 25, 2021 12:53 am

Not a very exciting update.
Dry fitting the landing gear and a glimpse of the metal grill.

Onward and upward.
-P

Post by **digger303** » Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:35 am

Very tidy

Post by **BigWall** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:19 am

Very cool kit Parker! I'm looking forward to seeing it come along.

Post by **Parker** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 4:58 am

So, a bit more progress yesterday evening.

I've glued as much as I want to at this stage. All the main big bits are done, the little bits that if glued now would inevitably be accidently broken off whilst handling are all painted on the sprue patiently waiting their time to join the party.

Its honestly a very easy model to construct. Nothing has been problem.

Except... the masking of the canopy. I was expecting to simply peel off the required masking 'shapes' and apply. But no, Tamiya in their wisdom expect me to cut the shapes. I'm not doing that. I've instead masked the whole canopy and I'll work out something later. Looked a nightmare. Swerved.

Also gave the underside of the Spitfire its first coat of XF-21 (sky). Wasn't sure how many coats would be needed but its coming up pretty well, good coverage, will possibly need only one more coat. Then on top.

Anyway. Pics below...

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **Garion77** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:05 pm

coming along nicely ! love the sky color... so beautiful. I totally agree with the Tamiya masks... I think, at the price they sell there kits and in 2021, it would be quite easy to sell it the same price with a precut one like Eduard.

Post by **Parker** » Tue Jun 29, 2021 7:23 am

Second coat of the Sky to the underside has worked well.
Time to mask and get free form jazz with the painting of the top side.

-P

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Tue Jun 29, 2021 7:40 am

Well done!

You don't glue the nose lower part ?

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Jun 29, 2021 9:11 am

That's coming along really well Parker

The Sky has gone down really smoothly - great job.

Post by **Parker** » Wed Jun 30, 2021 1:01 am

ForeverPlasticKits wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 7:40 am Well done! You don't glue the nose lower part ?

Thanks for looking in FP.

As well as a few flaps, I’ve also left off a few other components, the lower nose part being another one. They should’ve been attached prior to painting the Sky but I’m painting them separate. They’ll be attached last, currently they’re chrome.

Current thinking is this bird has seen some action and has been repaired quickly to get back up there doing her thing. I’m still toying with idea of a few bullet holes.

-P

Post by **digger303** » Wed Jun 30, 2021 1:11 am

Love that Tamiya SKY and Gull green. Nice smooth coat on the under side. Plans coming together nicely.

Post by **Parker** » Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:15 am

GREEN!
Next up will be the camo.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Jul 02, 2021 8:51 am

Looking forward to seeing the camo pattern go down

Post by **Parker** » Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:57 am

Ha!

Love Blackadder.

First coat of the brown camo hasn’t gone well. My mix was to watery, as such I found myself making massive corrections to curves as the paint ran too much.

I’m not happy with how it looks. I’ll need to fix the camo with more green over the brown. Not ideal, but I’ll give it a crack.

Salvage operation this weekend.

-P

Post by **Parker** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 6:00 am

Progress with the salvage operation regarding the brown paint. Somewhat corrected, I’m certainly happier with the camo than I was previously.

I'll give it a clear coat to flatten out the brush strokes then on to decals.

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **digger303** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:05 am

It's looking better each time you do a update and the paint looks great.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:07 am

Nice rework on the camo pattern mate

I don't know if it would have helped on this one but you could always lightly mark out the camo pattern you want with a soft pencil if you didn't want all the hassle of masking it off.

Post by **BigWall** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:22 am

Very nice Parker!

Post by **Parker** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:18 am

Clear coated and a few bits added.

Decals this evening.

-P

Post by **digger303** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 5:23 am

Not far off getting the finial touches in place.

Post by **Parker** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:29 am

Larger decals applied.
Looking forward to weathering the little bird.

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **Quax** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:35 am

Great job rescuing the cammo, the bird is looking great

Paul

Post by **BigWall** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:01 pm

Very cool build!

Post by **digger303** » Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:37 am

Nicely done.

Post by **Parker** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:52 am

Approaching the finish line.

All decals applied, no drama, all went down very well. I only stuffed up one of them, lost the top of a ‘K’ to the underside of a wing. Entirely my fault, I used too much Mr Mark Softer and it fell apart. I’ll disguise the error with weathering. On the plus side, I’m getting better at handling the tiny decals.

So, all decals done, clear coat applied, now on to the weathering!

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:06 am

Quax wrote: Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:35 am Great job rescuing the cammo, the bird is looking great

Paul

What he said

Post by **Parker** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 2:18 am

Bugger.

I got too keen to see the little pilot and I’ve gone ahead and removed the masking from the canopy. I forgot that I still need to apply another clear coat after the weathering.

More canopy masking required.

And I shouldn't have attached the the tall black pointing bit (antenna ?)... thats going to get snapped off at some point. Time will tell.

-P

Post by **Parker** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 2:22 am

see ya later buddy.

Post by **BigWall** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 3:21 am

It looking very nice Parker! Maybe use some tape and black paint to save the K?

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:33 am

Looking good with the decals on mate - they always bring a build to life don't they!

Joe's right - I reckon you could save that K with a steady hand and a touch of black paint

Post by **Parker** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 12:02 pm

Thanks for looking in fellas.

But the top of the K is gone. Let’s all move on.
I ain’t painting the top of a K.

I’ve done the weathering of the underside, and most of the topside.
Still a few touch ups to do, but pretty much done.

Cheers all.
-P

Post by **BigWall** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:04 am

Ok on the K. The weathering is really looking sweet man!

Post by **Parker** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:10 am

Cheers Joe.
Currently contemplating riddling the little bird with bullet holes.
Research required.

Post by **Parker** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:40 am

Well, I’ve gone ahead and put bullet holes in the little bird. Small drill bit, then larger bit. I tried to strafe the holes as I imagined it may look. Clean through the wing & tail.

Couple of little touch ups then I’m calling it done.

Thanks for looking in fellas.

Cheers.
-P

Post by **digger303** » Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:59 am

That's pretty effective.