Eduard 1/144 Spitfire Mk.IXc with some detailing!

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:39 pm

After finding that a Brengun PE set and vacform canopy was available for this kit, I decided to go to town on it! The Brengun set is, in my opinion, far superior to Eduard's own in that it gives a very intricately detailed cockpit that and being unpainted, lets you finished in the right colour! The canopy gives you a one open, one shut option, which is a pity, as why would you want all this lovely detail in any way obscured. I've also started scratching a little Merlin as well. Once painted, it should look ok. I'm just about to start on the bearers. Had the wings been in separate parts, I would have opened up one of the gun bays. However, I have seen a build online where the guy has done just that, but I've already masked and painted the invasion strips - the masking alone took me three days - so I don't feel like hacking away at it and having to retouch them. Maybe on the next one! I've also cut away Eduard's slightly proud landing flaps and have made my own so that I can show them lowered.

The Brengun sets

The instructions for the beautiful (and very, very, very fiddly) little cockpit.

The 'pit itself!

Starting on the engine...

The firewall:

The Merlin:

The 'open' canopy option:

The undercarriage locking eyes. What the...? The joys of detailing in 1/144!

Post by **Paul** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:59 pm

Awesome work, I do like 1/144

Post by **Daishi12** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:27 pm

Gone cross eyed just looking at the pics

Awesome work mate

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:04 pm

Omg that's so small looks amazing detail though

Post by **pedrofernandes** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:21 pm

Amazing work !!!

What a clean building in such a small scale and with photo etched parts !!! Amazing !!!

Post by **wappynutter** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:36 pm

I don't think I need do anymore....
Sir you and your eyes and nimble fingers are amazing....
How do you work at that size? And so clean too!
Well done mate..
Excellent..

Post by **muskegman** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:38 pm

The detail is fantastic for such a tiny model, great job so far

Mark

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:38 pm

Thanks guys, having a blast with this one!

Got the engine in. I figured the best way to do it was to put the Merlin in place and then build the engine bearers around it. I'm only showing the port side in detail, so it shouldn't be too hard. Famous last words. Also got the fixed canopy sections on. Funny, isn't it, once those two pieces of clear plastic are in place, all of a sudden, it looks like a Spitfire!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:42 pm

Again WOW!!!

Im quite lucky and been having spitfires (yes more than one!!) flying over yesterday and today thanks to the Bournemouth Air festival.

Fantastis painting and detailing I think stuff that small would drive me crazy!!!

Post by **5Craven** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:45 pm

Fantastic work in this scale, looks amazing!

Post by **Coen** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:47 pm

I'm speechless.
That is on par with a boat in a bottle classic fiddly business.
My hat is off you Sir, you are the master.

Post by **coladito1** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 6:04 am

I could do this with my eyes closed!! ........... Because I would only do this in my dreams!!! Lol. Amazing work as ussual Gary!!

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 10:42 am

Got the port side engine bearers in place. There are one or two minor things I'm not happy with, but after painting, it's not as obvious as it was in the bare plastic. First was the flat section that comes out of the firewall that meets up with the exhausts. If seen from above, it tapers in slightly, which it shouldn't and the other is the exhausts themselves being slightly angled. But, hey ho! I thought about trying to prize them off, but I'll take half of the bearers with it, so I'll just have to put up with it!

Never looks great as bare plastic!

Better with a lick of paint, though! There's a rough area behind the stubs that still needs attention.

I have the perfect reference material - my 1/32 Tamiya Merlin!

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 2:53 pm

My eyes have fallen out.

I'm am not worthy.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:05 pm

Dude! What the hell! Stop doing such awesome work on such a small scale, its not proper!

Although it looks blooming amazing!

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:42 pm

OMG as usual, I thought the Stuka was insane detail but this is astounding.

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:24 pm

A wee update of one of those major moments in a kit's life - that breath-holding, frightened-to-look moment when you remove dozens of painstakingly placed strips of masking tape to find that..... IT'S OK! Mostly. There was one line that needs tidying, but given the amount of lines in total - I'll take that ratio! Decals next.

The line in question....

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:40 pm

Looks amazing mate.

Post by **McLeod** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Awesome stuff.

One question though - how the hell do you work with PE that small and not end up an insane dribbling and jibbering mess in the corner ? I have enough trouble with 1/35 lol

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:56 pm

This is seriously mind blowing! I just don't understand how you manage such small pieces!! Astounding work, please do more vids, I love watching them.

Keep it up fella!

Post by **Joesdad** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:57 pm

Brilliant stuff, almost makes you want to have a go....well, almost..
Just looking makes me

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 6:02 pm

McLeod wrote:Awesome stuff.

One question though - how the hell do you work with PE that small and not end up an insane dribbling and jibbering mess in the corner ? I have enough trouble with 1/35 lol

That's because I was an insane dribbling and jibbering mess before I started it. It helps.

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 7:38 pm

Post by **Lee** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:13 pm

How have I missed this thread?!?

Saw this on your latest video Gary - Excellent work at that scale mate...!!!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:24 pm

Looking the mutts nutts dude,

Post by **Daishi12** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:57 pm

MrsModeller has just seen this and said "Much bonkersness" I am in awe mate

YouTube · Post by **Reddragon62** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:10 pm

Jeez is that thing tiny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went crossed eyed just looking at the pictures of the build ! Lmao

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:04 am

Well, this is the last of the WiPs - if they could even have been called that - as, hopefully, the next you'll see of her, she'll be all finished and stuff. So, still to be done: Final canopy framing, undercarriage, radio box, landing flaps, additional detailing/weathering on the Merlin and the antenna mast. Give 'us half an hour!

Post by **Nige201980** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:18 am

Wow looking good mate.

Post by **Paul** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:25 am

That looks fantastic mate, wow really impressed

Post by **spruecutter** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:05 am

It looks fantastic, fine work.

And well done for getting the magazine work. Let us know when your articles are published and I'll make sure I buy a copy.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:57 am

That is simply mind blowing.

Excellent work and on this small scale.

You sir are a master of the art.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:55 pm

Without any of the visual references it may as well be 1/32.
My eyes are completely fooled.
You are the champion buddy. It's show piece material.
This is the one for the magazine?
I'll be looking for that issue for sure.
I am humbled sir!!

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:06 pm

Coen wrote:Without any of the visual references it may as well be 1/32.
My eyes are completely fooled.
You are the champion buddy. It's show piece material.
This is the one for the magazine?
I'll be looking for that issue for sure.
I am humbled sir!!

Tis I that is humbled with yours and everyone else's kinds words.

No, this was actually started as a stopgap between the large bouts of time that permeated the magazine build's construction period (ongoing as it is).

Post by **Coen** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:09 pm

This was because you needed a diversion and you were bored:eeek:

Wow. So what does inspired look like I wonder?
Haha.

Post by **EasyEight96** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:49 pm

One word AWESOME!!!! its small but you make it like a 1/32 plane good job!!

Post by **Lysion** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:43 pm

Really impressed since I find 1/72 scale small and hard to paint

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:05 am

Ok, one last update!

After several failed attempts at creating the ignition lead manifold as a separate part, I was struck with the idea of drilling six holes with a 0.3mm drill and inserting into each two lengths of annealed copper wire of appropriate scale thickness thus ensuring a good solid anchor point to be able to shape them as the ignition leads. Then, simply glueing a length of styrene rod over them to represent the manifold!

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:19 am

This just keeps getting better and better WOW amazing work mate.

Post by **Paul** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:20 am

Awesome

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:16 pm

Ok... Appropriate scale thickness... Haha... It's so small it could be hair.
I'm amazed that you can even work with that.
Ever consider brain surgery as a hobby. WOW!

Post by **EasyEight96** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 3:51 pm

Nice engine it really looks like a real spitfire

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:23 pm

More great work, looks amazing! Can I ask what these kits are like OOB? I've bought a couple of cheap revell 1/144 kits in the past, but they don't seem to be to scale. For example, the tail on an F-15 was bigger than the main wing!?

Cheers

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:29 pm

The detail you go into still amazes me.

Stunning.

Post by **MakingModelsAgain** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:49 pm

chief5437 wrote:More great work, looks amazing! Can I ask what these kits are like OOB? I've bought a couple of cheap revell 1/144 kits in the past, but they don't seem to be to scale. For example, the tail on an F-15 was bigger than the main wing!?

Cheers

Although Revell's latest are amazing, these, simply put, are on par with Sweet's kits in terms of detail and fit. I built a couple of their MiG 21's OOB for a friend in the club and they were a joy to build. These little Spits are no exception. I highly recommend them.

Post by **HamfistedModeller** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:23 pm

A simply amazing piece of work.
I aspire to one day reach these heights of skill.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Post by **ModelingMatt** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:11 am

MakingModelsAgain wrote:
chief5437 wrote:More great work, looks amazing! Can I ask what these kits are like OOB? I've bought a couple of cheap revell 1/144 kits in the past, but they don't seem to be to scale. For example, the tail on an F-15 was bigger than the main wing!?

Cheers
Although Revell's latest are amazing, these, simply put, are on par with Sweet's kits in terms of detail and fit. I built a couple of their MiG 21's OOB for a friend in the club and they were a joy to build. These little Spits are no exception. I highly recommend them.

That's okay I'm sticking with 1/72 and up, I'll let you have all the fun. Have you considered watch repair as a second job?

Post by **DC87** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:16 am

Just stumbled into this topic and oh my oh my this spit has to be one of the most impressive and incredible things I have seen, if I had two heads both my hats would be off to you

Post by **chief5437** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 2:54 am

MakingModelsAgain wrote:
chief5437 wrote:More great work, looks amazing! Can I ask what these kits are like OOB? I've bought a couple of cheap revell 1/144 kits in the past, but they don't seem to be to scale. For example, the tail on an F-15 was bigger than the main wing!?

Cheers
Although Revell's latest are amazing, these, simply put, are on par with Sweet's kits in terms of detail and fit. I built a couple of their MiG 21's OOB for a friend in the club and they were a joy to build. These little Spits are no exception. I highly recommend them.

Thanks for the info! I'd really like to have a go at these 1/144 kits. I'm inspired by your work, but I don't think I could manage the scratch building just yet!!!
Thanks again, and keep up the amazing work!
Cheers

http://www.youtube.com/user/longlance67 · Post by **longlance67** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 3:30 am

Hi,

This is some serious work, the detail you've packed into such a small area is scary !

amazing work

Shane.