Battle of Britain build part 3 - Spitfire! (Revell 1/32 new tool Spit Mk.II)

[Guest]

Top stuff Paul, this build has a bit of everything!

[Guest]

One word: excellent

[john i am]

Great thread Paul and the pilots are fantastic are these aftermarket figures as I'm sure figures of this quality didn't come with the kit did they???cheers John.sorry didn't see the earlier post that the figures were from wings to busy looking at the pics

[stona]

Good work Paul, this is coming along nicely. Good solution to the weight and balance issue.

It is. I'm interested to see how the attachment works. Will it screw into some kind of articulated joint to help posing the model for the photography?

Cheers

Steve

[Vaughan]

All's looking good Paul, with some great modifications hope all works out ok.

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks everyone for the support and I apologise for the slow progress with these builds.

Spitfire Mk1 Corrections

I've been working on and off on the 3 'wheels-up' Spits over the past few weeks as and when I can.

I've been busy researching and correcting the Mk1 Spitfire specific issues with the kit as I see them and have done the following:-

1. I replaced both the oil cooler and the radiator housing with a correction set from MDC. I am aware that Barracuda have now produced their own version and will probably be using these on the 2 earthbound Spits (these will receive ALL the whistles and bells!)



2. I've tried my best to correct the more unusual bumps and lumps on the engine cowl to better depict a standard Mk1. The kit comes with a large bulge on the starboard side which (I believe) is a modification and is too large and of the wrong shape. I believe this was taken from the BBMF Mk2 Spit and isn't typical. I also tried to depict the 2 smaller bulges just behind the rocker cover cowling and I reduced the size of the bulge on the port side feeling it was too big. The bulges were first shaped and then cast in resin (enough for the 3 aircraft).



The only thing to add is a much smaller scoop to the left of the starboard large bulge. As I've said I've tried my best (i think the smaller bulges are still too large and may revisit these).

3. I removed the strengthening plates situated on the wings between the first and second machine guns as this (I believe) is another field mod. I have yet to remove the corrosponding plates on the underside of the wings.



4. I'm aware that the ailerons are supposed to be fabric covered and will do my best with thinned putty and very thin plastic card to replicate these.

At the time of going to press (lol!) these were all the AM sets available to me and so its been a bit 'Heath Robinson' in it's approach but I think they should look the part.

Also!

The pilots that seem to have gone down well need new heads. No, they're not battle fatigued they are simply wearing the wrong equipment! Wrong goggles and O2 masks. However I do have replacement heads and these will find their way onto their respective shoulders in due course.

Anyway, thought I'd give a quick update to show things are still moving albeit very slowly.

Cheers

P

Ps. If there are any Spitfire experts wishing to query what I've done then I'm all ears. Part of this exercise (indeed any model undertake) is to find out a great deal more about the subject. Thanks in advance...

Oh, forgot to mention. The small windows on the sides of the fuselage just in front of the cockpit have been fitted but will be filled over and painted to match the fuselage.

[flyjoe180]

Great work so far, I'm enjoyng watching your attention to detail.

[Richi72]

I am with Joe there,

Brilliant build so far

Keep it going.

Cheers Richi

[Guest]

The sheer amount of research & attention to detail is a hallmark of your builds Paul & this is no different!

Quality work of the highest standard.

[Guest]

What Patrick said! Amazing fixes going on. Shame that you'll be having to change the heads, I'm sure the corrected ones will look just as great tho!

[Guest]

Paul this is fantastic work, love the pilots, have one of these in my stash now I am looking forward to starting it, great work.

[BarryW]

This is looking great to me....

[stona]

I'm a bit confused about the scoops and bulges on the cowling myself. I think that there were the two bulges on both sides and a further little scoop on the starboard side, but I'm not sure now.

Cheers

Steve

[tr1ckey66]

I'm a bit confused about the scoops and bulges on the cowling myself.

Steve, as I understand it there is a small bump behind the rocker cover and a large bump just above it. This is mirrored on the other side (I just haven't photographed the other side of the model). To complicate things slightly the starboard larger bump is closer to the cockpit and also has a small scoop to the left of it. As i understand it not all Mk1 spits had this scoop either.

If anyone with a good solid knowledge of the Spit can confirm or put me right I'd be very grateful.

Thanks P

[stona]

Here's two images of the bumps, port and starboard. This example does have the scoop inlet on the starboard side. These are the first two I could find on what are definitely Mark 1s.

Port:



Starboard:



The kit parts are in reasonable positions, but their size and in one case shape is not very good. I didn't see a scoop in the kit, but might have missed it.

On a different note it appears that the inside of the flaps (if you are posing any of yours flaps down) was silver/aluminium paint, not grey/green.

I'm planning to do mine flaps down AND in a realistic pose.....more when I get started.

Cheers

Steve