1/72 Airfix Supermarine Spitfire MkVb

[flyjoe180]

Seeking an easy build to get myself re motivated, I dug out this. An oldie but a goodie. Re-boxed yet again under Airfix's new range in the red box top as A02046A:

[ATTACH]94211.IPB[/ATTACH]


The instructions probably haven't altered much in 30+ years:

[ATTACH]94212.IPB[/ATTACH]


But the paint and decal guide has, it's fantastic as you expect now from Airfix:

[ATTACH]94213.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]94214.IPB[/ATTACH]


Construction began in the cockpit, and continued without difficulty:

[ATTACH]94215.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]94216.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]94217.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

Then onto the wings. Some say fitting the upper wings removes the 'step' between the fuselage and wing root. All well and good but on this kit (and in my experience other 1/72 Spitfires) when you fit the lower halves you end up with a massive and exaggerated dihedral. So I did it the old fashioned way.

[ATTACH]94218.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]94219.IPB[/ATTACH]


After filling (some work to be done on that trailing edge at the roots):

[ATTACH]94220.IPB[/ATTACH]


The underside and lower-cowl area required some filling and work:

[ATTACH]94221.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]94222.IPB[/ATTACH]


Overall this tried and time-tested Spitfire goes together nicely without fuss. It just needs a little TLC around those areas mentioned.

[flyjoe180]

The canopy was then masked with Tamiya tape and glued onto the fuselage with PVA:

[ATTACH]94223.IPB[/ATTACH]


Cannons fitted and the whole airframe primed:

[ATTACH]94224.IPB[/ATTACH]


The underside was painted in Light Grey, masked off and then the upper fuselage received a coat or two of Ocean Grey. It was then masked off using tape and tac for the Dark Green areas:

[ATTACH]94225.IPB[/ATTACH]


I realised after painting that the 'sky' fuselage band was not included as a decal. Whoops! It would have been easier to apply that before the darker colours were applied. A quick mask and paint applied, along with the yellow areas of the wing leading edges:

[ATTACH]94226.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

Then the landing gear and propeller were fitted:

[ATTACH]94227.IPB[/ATTACH]


A gloss coat and decal time. The decals took many hours to apply, there are many, many stencils, all of which can be read:

[ATTACH]94228.IPB[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]94229.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

The masking was removed and some touch ups and the last of the clear bits were applied:

[ATTACH]94230.IPB[/ATTACH]


A thoroughly enjoyable model, yes it's old, yes it has raised detail but it's a real pleasure to build and is still highly regarded for it's accuracy. Completed thread to follow later, thanks for looking at my build.

[Guest]

You have been busy Joe!

But, what a nice two little pearls you have showed!

It's a lovely build

[papa 695]

Great work Joe

[Guest]

Very nice Joe, for newbie aircraft builders such as myself it's good to see old kits being built into little gems like this one

[monica]

what a beautie Joe.so turned out well even down to the little guy flying,like the camo and a

nice clean build,well done I like it, ,

[Dave W]

Another nice build Joe

[Guest]

Fantastic! I built this one 2 years ago and found it built up quick, but very nicely. The figure is beut. I never attempt to paint figures in 1:72 I am too clumsy!

John

[stona]

Great job Joe.

How did you get the canopy looking so clear? I'm sure I had to perform some radical surgery on the pilot to make it fit over his head!

I'm assuming that this is essentially the same kit that used to come in the plastic bag, 2s 6d from Dalliwells, when I was a lad. It cost just a bit more than my 2 bob a week pocket money, but I could usually get the extra sixpence from my grand dad! I had several hanging from the ceiling as my brother and I had entire air forces of really badly made models hanging in our bedroom. Many of the Germans trailed totally unconvincing cotton wool smoke. I can confirm that the plastic won't stand up to a .177 air rifle pellet

Yours is in a rather different category to those, it shows what can be done with one of these lovely old kits.

Cheers

Steve

[Alan 45]

That's a cracker joe I remember building this one with my son about 5/6 years ago

[Guest]

Do you stay up all night Joe ? Your night not ours here.

Very nice Joe you have made a better job of your figure than my Walrus crew.

1/72 I find as you a good reviver.

Laurie

[The Migrant]

Another fine looking model Joe

Great job Joe.I'm assuming that this is essentially the same kit that used to come in the plastic bag, 2s 6d from Dalliwells, when I was a lad. It cost just a bit more than my 2 bob a week pocket money, but I could usually get the extra sixpence from my grand dad!

I don't think this was ever in a poly bag Steve, it's a later Series 2 release from 1975. You may be thinking of their original Spit IX which was around for decades before being replaced recently.