Hobby Boss 1/48 RAF Spiteful

[aur0ra145]

Howdy,

Won this kit as a door prize draw back before COVID-19 during the IPMS Regional here at the start of the year. Honestly, I've had very low interest in the subject and I had completely lost my passion for aircraft building.

However, I've been slowly putting it together, maybe putting together a few parts here an there over the last 6 months. Finally tonight I got to paint the bird, so I figured I'd start a build thread.

I haven't quite decided if I'm going to go with a Czech or RAF paint scheme. I'm thinking RAF would be cool.

Bonus shot of an airfield resin thing I have. It's been primed for roughly 4 months, I need to get around to painting it up.

[SMAddict66]

I, and am sure many others, share your ‘lack of modelling mojo’ pain, many of us get it from time to time, yet still return to this great hobby. However you’ve kept on pulling the model together through the tough times and it looks good, as does that base .

Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing your progress and the finished model. I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines

[Tomcat64]

Oooh I didn't know there was a scale Spiteful out there - how was the build itself, I know Hobby Boss can be a bit hit & miss sometimes?

[aur0ra145]

Oooh I didn't know there was a scale Spiteful out there - how was the build itself, I know Hobby Boss can be a bit hit & miss sometimes?

Well, I'm dumb, it's actually a Trumpeter kit.

I'd say the part count was "bland." Not that it's a bad thing, I just expected more building to take place. It's comparable to the part count of a Trumpeter 1/48 F8F Bearcat I did several years ago. They both had quite a bit fewer parts than any more modern Tamiya kit in the same scale and comparable subject.

As for quality of the kit. The fit is pretty good, only minor filling needed. It did come with some photo etch parts, so that was neat. The windshield is the right size. However, the canopy seems to be 5% too big. I can hide this by having the canopy open when displayed. Trumpeter for some reason tends to have really thick canopies. But, my sample size has only been the Spiteful and the Bearcat.

According to the rivet counters out there, there are some accuracy issues with the model. Stuff like, they markings provided weren't actually used, etc. I personally just care if the kit looks neat.

Next up will be the yellow ID stripes and the white band at the tail.

[aur0ra145]

Got the masking and painting done for the ID strips and the white band near the tail.

[aur0ra145]

Sprayed a clear coat of Alclad Aquagloss in prep for decals. Also took a mock up shot of the prop hub mounted.

[aur0ra145]

Got the decals on! There weren't very many. I would have liked some more for panel markings and such. I also didn't have any spare decal sets. So, this is it.

I'm liking how the camo looks now with the decals on. Originally I felt like I might have had too much green.

[Parker]

Another great looking model.
Nice work.

[SMAddict66]

All looking neat and tidy

[Tomcat64]

Thanks for the info on the kit mate - I might keep my eyes out for one at some point.

Great looking paint job as well

[Twokidsnosleep]

I had never heard of this aircraft before
Thanks for edumacatin me
Looking good

[aur0ra145]

Clear coated the decals today, so hopefully tomorrow I can get some weathering in.

Also, I finally got around to painting the gear doors. All I need to do now is paint the antenna. I dare say this kit is getting closer to being called finished.

Oh, and the under wing intake fell off when clear coating. Should be easy to reattach post clear coat, just more of an annoyance than anything.

[BigWall]

It's looking great! I had never heard of a Spiteful either.

[Cymru]

And here is what followed on from the Spiteful, something I'd never heard off...

[aur0ra145]

Did a bit of modelling today. Not a whole lot more to do.

I did a rust effect with some Ultimate Rust Wash and it turned out great. Really pleased.

Overall I used a light gray Vallejo wash over the whole plane. Then did some pigment streaking with slate gray and natural umbra.

I still need to do the landing gear and unmask the canopy. I don't think I'll do an overall satin coat as it looks about correct as it is now.

[BigWall]

Nice exhaust! The plane is looking great!

[aur0ra145]

Calling this one done!

Reveal Thread - viewtopic.php?f=45&t=28802

[aur0ra145]

Looks good on the shelf next to its friends! Hopefully I can get it to a competition and see how it does. (Top shelf is only for placers atm.)

[BigWall]

Such a nice clean build. Great job! Hopefully some shows will start back up.

[aur0ra145]

Such a nice clean build. Great job! Hopefully some shows will start back up.

I hope so too. However, best not to rush it. The shows around here seem to only be retired guys getting up in their years. I'd hate to have COVID get to any of them. Some real talent and knowledge to be learned from them.

Though, the first show post COVID will have some really really nice work. Heck, I've done almost a year worth of modelling in 4 months (using completed builds as the metric.)