1:32 Spitfire Conversion

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:05 am

OK, This build represents a few firsts: 1st SIG, 1st major mods to a kit, 1st use of PE, 1st attempt at home made decals and 1st ever kit completion in over 35 yrs

Here goes:
After the war thousands of Spitfires were recycled but many were also preserved in museums and in the hands of individuals who wanted to own and fly an aircraft powered by a big V12 engine.

To maximize the fun of the retired fighters, people started racing them. Out of the many somewhat informal races, a European air racing series was developed. European pylon race courses are mainly longer than the American ones, and include turns in both directions.

In the forested north of Europe, racing didn't become widespread until it was realised that it is best to run the major contests during the winter. A big frozen lake is an ideal base for racing, with lots of open space for runways or, in case of a serious Mayday, opportunities to land just about anywhere.

Spitfires, especially short wing variants, are among favorite aircraft types in the Stock Piston Warbird class.
***************************************************************************************************************************************
I will be attempting to convert this Revell 1:32 Spitfire Mk22/24 (#04704) into a post war civilian air racer in a finish that, when I saw it, it blew me away!
Only one aftermarket item will be used: Eduard 1:32 Seatbelts RAF late (#32526).
Humbrol enamel paints. NMF is Humbrol Metal Cote Spray.

Out of the box and hanging on just five sprue trees:

Post by **chief5437** » Sat Apr 02, 2016 3:58 am

Nice idea! Got any pics of the real thing? I've never seen a spitfire racer.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:02 pm

There isn't a great deal of material out there, it seems to be dominated by P-51 racers!
One such spit racer

***PLOT SPOILER*** Go here to see my plans for the final finish Click Me

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:17 pm

[UPDATE #1]
So, after my first session the cockpit tub is built, wing mods done & filled. Session #2 is going to be sanding and waving a hairy stick about...

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:22 pm

[UPDATE #1]

(Mmmm only 3 pics per post allowed)

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:26 pm

[UPDATE #1]

Post by **chief5437** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:10 pm

Nice work so far, I had a look at the spoiler pics! Cool idea, I'm doing something similar with a p-38 for this sig too

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 9:42 pm

Thank you! P-38 is an excellent choice. Think NMF & most folk think P-51

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:30 pm

[UPDATE #2]
Build has gone quickly so far. 1st fit issue encountered with the main wing spar needing major work in order to fit.
So, this is where we are so far:

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:34 pm

[UPDATE #2]

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 11:37 pm

[UPDATE #2]

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 3:46 pm

Looking good mate

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:29 pm

Thank you kind sir

The last couple of days has all been about paint/glue drying time

I only work 4hrs today so I should make some more progress.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 5:46 pm

Cymru wrote:Thank you kind sir
The last couple of days has all been about paint/glue drying time I only work 4hrs today so I should make some more progress.

Keep us posted.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 12:29 am

[UPDATE #3]
Managed a spell at the bench today. After an epic sanding session on my replacement wing panels I could resume some assembly. Revell really didn't think this kit through. Fit issues to one side, they have put all the detailed parts facing the cockpit wall (where you can't see it) and on the side you can see the parts are flat (no detail)

And all those internal parts are going to disappear as soon as I join the 2 fuselage sides together

The wings are now one.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 12:33 am

[UPDATE #3]
The fuselage halves are ready to be joined. Bye bye all that detail...

Post by **Lysus** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 12:43 am

Cymru wrote:[UPDATE #3]
The fuselage halves are ready to be joined. Bye bye all that detail...

Yeah, but we know it's there

Post by **Cymru** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 1:40 am

Yeah, but we know it's there

Post by **patrickroos** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:30 pm

Great work mate

, maybe I missed it, will this baby be really shiny as in polished alu?
(Thinking of many Reno racers that are polished to a mirror finish)

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Fri Apr 08, 2016 7:56 pm

...will this baby be really shiny as in polished alu?

Sooo shiny, you can use it to shave

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:01 pm

[UPDATE #4]
So, as all the reviews warned about, we get to the wing roots... DISASTER

I glued it in stages but, with hindsight, I should've done it in the other way round

Now things are a terrible mess, huge gaps and 0.5mm protrusions. I feel like throwing it in the bin

I have placed it out of reach for now but how to proceed? File n fill or rip it apart and try re-gluing???

On the brightside, I did do a spot of painting!

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:03 pm

[UPDATE #4]

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:05 pm

[UPDATE #4]

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:08 pm

[UPDATE #4]

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 4:10 pm

[UPDATE #4]
I got to do a spot of painting to cheer me up

,

Post by **AdamLuscombe** » Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:35 pm

Great Work of what is obviously a challenging kit

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 11:46 pm

Challenging?

I was so angry I looked up consumer law. I emailed the supplier pointing out a few things from the "Sale of Goods Act" 1974 ( Don't ya just love Google) and I got a reply just a few hours later.....A full refund inc P+P

No more progress as yet because I am still waiting for the filler to set

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 8:30 am

Cymru wrote:Challenging?
I was so angry I looked up consumer law. I emailed the supplier pointing out a few things from the "Sale of Goods Act" 1974 ( Don't ya just love Google) and I got a reply just a few hours later.....A full refund inc P+P

No more progress as yet because I am still waiting for the filler to set

Nice one

The kit is really un-buildable out of the box I don't think I've seen one that bad, I do remember Revel kit back in the 70's being hot and miss.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:14 pm

[UPDATE #5]
Two days of (painful) filling, sanding & re-scribing later... It feels as though I am just treading water with this build but once it gets its final sanding things should speed up

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:15 pm

[UPDATE #5]
Remember those huge gaps?

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:35 pm

[UPDATE #6]
Real progress at last!
The rudder & tail planes have been glued in to position. The engine has only been glued at the front because of the twist in the lower cowling. To correct the twist, the engine will be glued in 3 stages.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:37 pm

[UPDATE #6]

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:44 pm

[UPDATE #7]
OK, engine glued in nicely and the twist is gone, but just when you think you're making progress along comes major fit issue #2...

I'm at a loss as to what to do? Suggestions welcome...

Post by **Vleugelmoer** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:57 pm

Cymru wrote:OK, engine glued in nicely and the twist is gone, but just when you think you're making progress along comes major fit issue #2...
I'm at a loss as to what to do? Suggestions welcome...

I've had a good look at the pictures and here's my take and two cents on the fix suggestion front:

I have a multi step process so I'll try to write it down as clear as I can with out getting to long winded..

1) If the fit allows it I would take a small strip of both top cowl parts.

2) on the left and right side cowls I would add a small trip of "PLASTICARD" sheet styrene (preferably just slightly thinner that the kit part)

3) after adjusting the top cowl ad some plasticard to the end of the top cowl.

4) fill any remaining smallish gaps with Milliput or Tamiya epoxy putty

5) sand smooth and apply spot primer too check for smoothness and repeat this step if necessary.

If you need further explination shoot me a pm and I will get back to you.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene

Paul

Post by **Smiffy** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:13 pm

Yikes I don't remember the kit being that bad. Is it me or does the bulges for the griffon look wrong too? Though it was some time ago I built it. Personally I'd be done with it and try to find the MDC resin update kit which comes with a new nose.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:14 am

...try to find the MDC resin update kit which comes with a new nose.

Yeah I've been tempted, more than once, to bin the dam thing! But I don't like to be beaten. MDC no longer sell upgrades for this kit.

Thank you Paul, I'll dig my plasticard out & see what I can do. It won't be pretty ( especially with a NMF) but I just got to finish.

For stress relief I fired off an email to Revell stating that I intend to report them to Trading Standards on the basis that the product is "not fit for purpose".

I was in such a foul mood when my SO went in to town but that evaporated when she returned with the 1/48 Airfix EE Lightning.

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:36 pm

Question to Paul/Lee? Is it within the rules to display the final reveal WITHOUT the cowlings?

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 4:04 pm

[UPDATE #8]
I have put this to one side for a few days and started a new kit as a welcome distraction.
Some how she doesn't look so bad in primer!

Post by **Vleugelmoer** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 5:41 pm

[quote="Cymru"]Thank you Paul, I'll dig my plasticard out & see what I can do. It won't be pretty ( especially with a NMF) but I just got to finish./quote]

Your welcome Cymru, I should think that plasticard and fillings the should impair the application of a NMF. There wil be a lot of sanding buffing and rescribing before you reach that stage though.

Happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Fri May 13, 2016 1:06 am

[UPDATE #8.5]
After all the issues with this kit I lost my mojo. I have my new compressor now, so no excuses. I have made a start on patching the cowling's & the kit has received a final sanding before the last coat of primer. Major progress expected over the weekend, if I can stay out of the pub

Post by **Lysus** » Fri May 13, 2016 1:08 am

Cymru wrote:[UPDATE #8.5]
if I can stay out of the pub

Ha! Bon chance. I couldn't...

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sat May 14, 2016 7:11 pm

[UPDATE #9]
Well I managed to stay out of the pub & now it is in primer. She can fully dry overnight, NMF tomorrow

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon May 16, 2016 10:28 am

[Update #9.5]
First coat of MNF. Just those pesky side cowlings to finish sorting out!

Post by **Smiffy** » Mon May 16, 2016 5:01 pm

That NMF sure does look nice

Post by **Scot2go** » Mon May 16, 2016 8:33 pm

Really beginning to look like a shiny spitfire. I like where this going too

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Mon May 16, 2016 11:50 pm

Thanks guys. For the NMF I'm trying Humbrols' Metalcoat, so it still needs to be buffed up with a lint free cloth yet!

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun May 22, 2016 7:42 pm

[Update #10]
Well, the cowling's are sorted, not perfect, but it's the best I can do. See the before" shot above. Now for some tricky masking for the final paint job!

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Sun May 22, 2016 7:46 pm

[Update #10]
Before someone asks, the R=Red & G=Green. It's in case I have a "senior moment" & forget what colour to paint it

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:33 pm

[Update #10.5]
After 5 hours of masking she is ready for the final coat of paint!

STASH · Post by **Cymru** » Thu May 26, 2016 12:09 pm

[Update #10.6]
The final colour goes on...