WW1 SPAD XIII Revell 1/28th Scale

[khitomer]

As part of an IPMS Ireland forum group build I'm about to start on a Revell SPAD XIII 1/28th scale. Nice kit but shows it's age as well. Being reissued by Revell Feb/March this year apparently.















Not a bad kit some flash and ejector marks but I've seen worse. Nice big model to work so I'd like to do it justice with proper rigging etc.
Lots of detail add-ons used to be available from Copper State Models but currently they just have a PE set. I know they're relaunching their site soon.

[ludicrusmaximus]

the links to the pics are broken

[khitomer]

Started work priming and sanding.

[khitomer]

Accuracy of the kit isn't perfect.

[khitomer]

Been continuing work on this slowly. Testing fit of the model, not too bad at all



Opening up the engine louvres, but gave up on drilling them, thinned the plastic instead and used a number 15 blade to open them up. Getting better with each attempt.

[khitomer]

Double post - removed

[DC87]

Despite it's flaws it looks good, nice job adding/ improving details.

Glad the test fitting didn't show any major headaches.

[schweinhund227]

I remember building this kit in the late 70's. Excellent!
To see it here brings back good memories!

[muskegman]

That is a nice sized kit and looks like a fun project to build. I love biplanes for some reason, I am looking forward to seeing you build this



Mark

[khitomer]

I'm soldiering on being more disappointed with capabilities with every step! Tried improving the detail on the cockpit. First I tried cutting plastic strip but just wasn't happy with result, plus my wood impressionist skills sucked! Then I decided to try bamboo sticks from Tescos. Trimming them (very carefully following my previous x-acto accident!) I managed to get a much more reasonable facsimile of wood. Mmmm, perhaps because it was wood.



Then I added the first stage of cockpit details, joystick, seating, rudder pedals etc. Looking a bit better I think? Just a trial fit to begin with.



Still lots to do and not enough time

PS, I've managed to find the Revell 1/28th Fokker DVII that matches this aircraft, from a friend on this forum, yay!. Am I mad? It's on it's way.

[khitomer]

I wasn't at all happy with the machine guns on this kit so I removed the barrels and made new one from stretched sprue that I then drilled out.



Wish I could have gotten hold of some photo etch for this model but Copper State aren't responding to communications of any kind and I want to crack on.

[khitomer]

I'm continuing slowly.



I've been disappointed in my airbrushing skills, but I think they're improving with practice. One golden rule seems to be, stick to one manufacturer!

As for the propeller! Painted it with oils 8 days ago, still isn't dry! I'll be removing the lot and reverting to acrylics!

[khitomer]

On with details. Never made these before. Turnbuckles. Stretched some used qtips in the same way as sprue over a flame. Advantage is they're still tubes, just much thinner. Then twisting some copper wire around a cocktail stick, cut to length and fit the tube about 2mm long, I think. Glue and wait, repeat.... Lots more to do.

[khitomer]

I'm calling her done. Perhaps I should add some weathering and dull down the gloss? But I'm happy with the results.

[ludicrusmaximus]

It looks great! A great build of a great subject

[fa18frog]

Nicely Done! Would you mind sharing your technique for painting the propeller?