Airfix 1:48 Spitfire Mk XII

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:07 pm

Here is my GB build as no one is doing a spitfire at the moment and as it is one of my fav aircraft of mine and with this Mk being one of the rarer ones i thought it would be quite fitting for this 1st GB on the forum and my 1st GB as well.

A bit of history.

The Mk XII was the first Spitfire powered by a Griffon engine to go into service. The first of 100 Supermarine-built production aircraft started appearing in October 1942; two RAF squadrons in total were equipped with the XII. Mk XIIs were manufactured from Mk VC and Mk VIII airframes: early production aircraft had the fixed tail wheels, Dunlop AH2061 pattern "five spoke" mainwheels and small elevator balances. They had a single 85 gal main fuel tank, giving a short range of little over 380 miles (610 km) on internal fuel. All were fitted with the larger, pointed tip rudder. The last 45 or so Mk XIIs, were based on Mk VIIIs with two wing fuel tanks, each containing a maximum fuel load of 14 gal, and featured the larger horn balances, retractable tailwheel and undercarriage legs with torque-links, "dished" leg fairings and the stronger Dunlop AH10019 four spoke wheels. The wheels were occasionally fitted with disc-style covers. A later model IFF was fitted, replacing the aerials from the tailplane tip to fuselage with a rod aerial under the starboard wing. Another important feature of the Griffon-engine Spitfires was the entirely flush-riveted finish which was progressively introduced on all Spitfires.
The single-stage Griffon engine (II or IV) gave the aircraft superb low and medium level performance, although the Mk XII's performance declined at higher altitudes: because of this all production aircraft had "clipped" wings. In comparative tests with a Mk IX it was 14 mph (23 km/h) faster at sea level, but above 20,000 ft (6,100 m) it had become slower. Handling, however, was considered to be better than previous Spitfire marks, and the clipped wings conferred excellent manoeuvrability through enhanced aileron response.
At low altitude it was one of the fastest aircraft in the world; in one speed trial, held at Farnborough in July 1942 DP845 (now referred to as the Mk XII) piloted by Jeffrey Quill raced ahead of a Hawker Typhoon and a captured Focke-Wulf Fw 190, to the amazement of the dignitaries present.

On reflection the general scheme became clear. The Spitfire was to be a sort of datum pacemaker - 'Mr Average Contemporary Fighter' - and its job would be to come in last, the real excitement of the proceedings being by how much it would be beaten by the FW 190 and the Typhoon, and which of these two bright stars would beat the other and by how much. Outside on the tarmac at Worthy Down stood the inoffensive-looking but highly potent DP485 ... All went according to plan until, when we were about halfway between Odiham and Farnborough and going flat out, I was beginning to overhaul the FW 190 and the Typhoon. Suddenly I saw sparks and black smoke coming from the FW 190's exhaust...and I shot past him and never saw him again. I was also easily leaving the Typhoon behind and the eventual finishing order was, first the Spitfire, second the Typhoon, third the FW 190. This was precisely the opposite result to that expected, or indeed intended. It certainly put the cat among the pigeons and among the VIPs.
(taken from Wiki)

The kit the box art is quite cool with the spitfire shooting down its prey a Fw 190 there are two versions to build but i will get to those later when i figure out which i will be doing and ill try and find a bit of history out about the aircraft and the pilot.

In the box are two sprunes of airfix plastic and the best way to describe it is ruddy marvellous the detail is really good through out with little or no flash that i can see, there are a few pin marks but these are really tiny and will be easily dealt with.

The clear sprue is just that and nice and thin.

The decals are really good and thin the best ive seen in an airfix kit by a long shot.

and the instructions are airfix all over really clear and precise with colour call out all the way through with A4 colour page for each aircraft and decal placements.

Sorry if the photos are not brill took them on my Iphone.
hopefully i will be starting this tomorrow so we will see how it builds.
sorry if its been a bit long winded.

Nige

Post by **Bagpiper** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:23 pm

Very nice. Good luck with the build mate.

Cheers
Jim

Post by **DC87** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:57 pm

Great history, looks like a nice kit.
Hope it starts well.

YouTube · Post by **customtk** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:11 pm

I've built this kit it's a cracking kit goes together with no issues and the decals are of good quality
There are some injector pin marks in places that can be seen but other than that i can't fault it.

Looking forward to seeing how you get on

Best of luck

arnakke · Post by **arnakke** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:33 pm

Nige201980

I think you giving the background ( and motivation) for your build is very considerate, thx.

In case you didn't see it yet, Lee offered a cornucopia (wow me) of reference material today .... check it out:

"Lee's PDF Reference Book Library.."

Post by **bullgill67** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:42 pm

nice

- good luck with the build

michael

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:54 pm

Thanks arnakke Ill have another look but didn't see anything on the spit but I do have a few reference bits and pieces as well as the inter web which I've been looking at for the last couple of days.

arnakke · Post by **arnakke** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:53 pm

Nige201980 wrote:Thanks arnakke Ill have another look but didn't see anything on the spit but I do have a few reference bits and pieces as well as the inter web which I've been looking at for the last couple of days.

Just in case you hadn't see this one "Battle of Britain (Spit and Mess on cover) Kagero_topcolors_26.pdf.

Hope you enjoy the build!

Post by **Paul** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:10 pm

Nice one Nige. Look forward to seeing you start it

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:29 am

Great to see a spitfire in the group

(even if I don't like the MK XII myself

). Good luck with it.

Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:38 pm

Just a bit of work on the cockpit.

ive drilled out the holes.

sorry about the pics done on my iphone.

and some prototype seatbelts

ive started painting it tonight and hopefully ill have more pictures tomorrow eveing.

Post by **Nige201980** » Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:56 pm

a bit more work done today got the cockpit painted and into the fuselage and glued together. sorry forgot to take some photos of the cockpit before i put it in.

and my least Favourite bit masking the canopy

hopefully ill get the wings on tonight and post more pics tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Tue Jun 18, 2013 8:19 pm

Coming along nicely!

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:46 am

A bit more done to the spit wings on and filler in a few places.

both wing tips need a bit of filler.

and the normal place for airfix spits

and one to watch for is around the cannons they slot in nicely but the opening is in a v shape so just a little gap

Thanks for looking.

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:51 am

And as promised a bit of history on Squadron Leader R. H. Harries who flew this wonderful aircraft.

Born in South Wales in 1916, Harries was a dental student at Guy's Hospital when war broke out. Joining the RAFVR in September 1939, after training Harries was posted to No. 43 Squadron at Drem in Scotland. He was then posted on 8 July 1941 to 52 OTU at Debden as an instructor. In February 1942 he joined No. 131 Squadron RAF, based at Llanbedr as a flight commander, and claimed his first kill, a Junkers Ju 88, soon after. He served with the unit until December 1942, when he became CO of 91 Squadron, and in April 1943 received the new Mark XII Spitfire and were based at Hawkinge.
Harries was ultimately the most successful pilot to fly the Rolls-Royce Griffon powered Supermarine Spitfire, scoring 11 kills in the type, including a brace of Focke-Wulf Fw 190s on 25 May 1943.[1] Flying a Spitfire XII, Harries intercepted the Fw 190s from SKG 10:

"I was leading Blue Section on a defensive patrol. I had just returned to base, with my No 2, had just landed when the scramble signal was given from the watch office. We both immediately took off again, and saw enemy aircraft approaching Folkestone. I sighted one lone Fw 190 at sea level returning to France. I came in from his starboard side, delivering a three-second burst at 250 yards. The enemy aircraft hit the sea tail first, split in two, and sank immediately".

The Fw 190 was thought to be Fw 190A-5 Wrk Nr 2511 of 6./SKG 10, flown by Oberleutnant Josef Keller.

"I then spotted another Fw 190 to starboard. I flew straight over the top of it in order to identify it in the failing light. The enemy aircraft pulled his nose up and gave me a quick squirt. I pulled straight up to about 1000ft, and turning to port, dived right onto his tail, opening fire from 300 yards and closing to 150 yards. I fired a four-second burst, seeing strikes and flames all over the enemy aircraft. The enemy aircraft gradually lost height, with smoke and flames coming from it, skimmed for some distance along the surface of the water and then sank. I orbited around taking cine gun snaps of the oil patch and pieces of wreckage that were visible".

In June the squadron moved to Westhampnett to form a Mk XII fighter wing with No. 41 Squadron.
On 18 July 1943 Harries shot down three Bf 109's while flying MB831. In doing so he became the first pilot to reach five kills in the Griffon-engined Spitfire. Harries became Wing Leader in August 1943, and by November, had been awarded a total of 3 DFC's and a DSO. In early 1944 Harries was went to the United States, to lecture on fighter tactics, only to return and become Wing Leader of 135 Wing, 2nd TAF, in the spring of 1944. On 22 September 1943 Harries claimed one Fw 190 shot down and another as a probable. The Westhampnett Wing were the highest scoring Wing in Fighter Command for the month of September, claiming 27 kills.
On 20 October 1943 Harries shot down a pair of Messerschmitt Bf 109Gs near Rouen, his last kills in the type.
Taken from wiki.

So there we are just a brief history on the man himself hope you enjoyed the read.

Post by **Paul** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:57 am

Good progress Nige.

Post by **Lee** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:30 am

Nice one Nige

Post by **Coen** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 11:09 am

Looks great so far Nige.
I like the posts one the history too.

Post by **bullgill67** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:24 pm

thats looking very nice indeed

michael

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:32 pm

Thanks for the history, as I said in another thread, always nice to hear the stories behind some of the guys who fought in these machines.

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:13 pm

Thanks for your replays guys. When ever I do a model I try and find out as much as I can about just for a bit of interest really love history espeicaly WWII and the RAF and the aircraft.

Post by **Nige201980** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:06 pm

Not much more done other than a second round of filler and sanding to be done after a coat of primer. So ill let dry and get back to it over the weekend. I've been spoilt with my last couple if builds no filler was required.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:32 pm

Love the history post very interesting.

I'm ex RAF so love that stuff

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:35 pm

Just a quick update all primed and sanded twice and ready for paint.

Hopefully might get some paint on her tomorrow.
Thanks all for now folks.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:19 pm

Looking good mate! I do like the clipped wing Spits

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:47 pm

Thanks Gav

Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:53 pm

looking good mate! have fun painting

Post by **Bagpiper** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:31 am

Can't wait to see the first hint of colour on this one. Looking good mate.

Cheers
Jim

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:36 pm

Looking good, said grudgingly because although you have done excellent work I think clipped wing spits are an abomination unto nuggen.

Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:10 pm

UKscalemodeller wrote:Looking good, said grudgingly because although you have done excellent work I think clipped wing spits are an abomination unto nuggen.

clipped wings = better handling at low level

Post by **Nige201980** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:15 pm

So a quick update.
I've painted the sky band and the yellow in the leading edges of the wings only I'm having problems the paint is still a little tacky. I used halfords plastic primer and humbrol enamels and its still tacky after 24 hours, but on the nose cone which wasn't primed its not. Has any one cone across this before?

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:39 pm

Just a quick update finially after 3 days the leading edges and the sky band are dry (at last) so I've masked them off and one coat of humbrol 165 applied

So lets see how long this takes to dry.

Post by **Lee** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:19 pm

If that's enamel, about 16 weeks mate. The GB will be over by then

Post by **Bagpiper** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:23 pm

Lee wrote:If that's enamel, about 16 weeks mate. The GB will be over by then

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:38 pm

I never had problem with it before so I don't know why it's happening now but it right p***ed me off. I just wanted to get on with it lol.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:46 pm

Stick it in the airing cupboard to dry, might dry quicker!

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:06 pm

Would do but don't have one Gav normally a couple of hours and they are dry.

Post by **5Craven** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:44 pm

I have noticed over the years that a number of Humbrol paints are particularly slow driers. They are always the gloss ones as well and tend to be lighter colours like white, yellow and so forth. Not sure why this is it may just be a feature of their gloss products.

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:14 pm

I've figured out why the wife was doing so of her craft and she moved my stuff but didn't box the box back over it that I use to keep dust and kids off it and she was using a tin off spray glue and I think some settled on it hence being tacky. The 1st coat is drying nicely should be ok on morning which is a relief. She as had a telling off.

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:39 pm

Quick update.
Underneath painted so on with the masking.

All masked up.

1st coat painted should be able to do the next later tonight.

Thanks for looking.

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:41 pm

Women, know your limits! Ha ha!

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:47 pm

I'm in trouble now the wife has just been looking at this thread while I took the kids to bed

Post by **chief5437** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:48 pm

Sorry Mrs Nige!

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:50 pm

Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:14 pm

Right update time two coats of humbrol 106.

And the camo painted in humbrol 30.

And all the all the other bits and bobs. The exhaust I drilled out a bit 1st time I've done this and I think they have turned out really well. (Just hope you can see them in the photo)

Sorry if the photos aren't great.
Hopeful all being well should have it finished by the weekend if not early next week.
Thanks for looking.

Post by **DC87** » Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:48 pm

Looking good, nice exhausts.

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:25 pm

All painted and 2 coats if klear

And all decals done took me all night but there done and they really settled down well they look great

So tomorrow another coat if klear then on with the weathering.
Thanks for looking.

Post by **Lee** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:36 pm

Looks great Nige

Post by **Bagpiper** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:35 am

Nice one Nige. You'll be finished in no time at all. Can't wait to see the weathering you do to this. Paint is looking sweet.

Cheers
Jim

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:27 pm

Weathering step 1
My tools for this bit.

Underneath the spitfire wasn't a pretty sight so this is what I'm aiming for.

And what I've done so far

Ill put a coat of clear on the on with the wash