PCM 1/32 Spitfire Mk.XIVc

[stona]

Sigh,it was all going so well. The mainplane fit is actually very good but when I came to fit the "gull wing"insert I discovered a bit of a fit issue. Front to back is no problem but when I line those up with the wing and fuselage respectively,to avoid a nasty step, I have this.

It's a bit exaggereated in the photo but will need a bit of attention nonetheless. It will have to wait until tomorrow (work) but then it'll be plastic card at the ready!

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

That's a nasty gap Steve! I'm sure it won't test you too much, but it would be nicer without the fiddling about.

Revell isn't so bad now Ole!

Cheers

Patrick

[stona]

It's not quite as bad as the photo which is (if I may coin a phrase) for illustration. The little fillet will push up to some extent but there is going to be a little bit of remedial work required.

When I built the Hurricane I had a much worse problem in this area so I'm not unduly concerned about this.

With this type of model you tend to compromise in construction. I went for a clean joint between the the upper wing and the fuselage and am quite happy to have this little challenge as a result!

I'm not a Spitfire expert by a long chalk but this model looks a lot more like a late Mark Spitfire than some others

Cheers

Steve

[stona]

I've stuck a bit of thin plastic card in the gap,squeezed it up,and cut off the excess.

A leeetle bit of filler and a quick sand should have this looking okay.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

yup you`ve cracked it steve,just noticed the rivet detail in the mold,its awesome

mobear

[stona]

The detail is quite nice on this model. I'm not a fan of overdone (i.e.overscale) panel lines and rivets that would be,in scale,the size of dinner plates.

I've got this area pretty much fixed now. It will get a final fettle when I do the wing roots and possibly another one after priming

Cheers

Steve

[papa 695]

That looks like a very good and clean fix Steve job well done

[stona]

Work has continued apace and I haven't been able to access the forum which has been one less distraction!

The result is that I have finished the major construction and primed the model.

I have used an old Spitfire trick and sealed the centre (sliding) canopy section to the others using Blu-Tac to prevent the ingress of paint. The door is also temporarily fixed as I intend eventually to have it open.

The stunning lines of a late Mark Spitfire have emerged. At one time I was considering a clipped wing version but I'm glad I didn't do it.

There are a couple of little problems,which don't show on this picture,to sort out and then I need to settle on a scheme.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

cracking stuff steve,i knew you would sort the wing out,onwards and upwards

mobear

[stona]

Moving on to two things which often get incorrectly represented on models.

First the yellow leading edge stripes. Here's a document explaining how they were to be applied to Spitfires (and Hurricanes).

For a Spitfire the stripe is only 4 inches wide. At 1/32 scale this is a shade under 3.2mm.

I spray the leading edge yellow.

And apply a strip of masking to the leading edge which will now stay there untill all painting is finished.

When it cools down it will stick better!

Secondly the yellow propeller tips.

These too were only four inches,again in 1/32 scale just over 3mm. I often see them on models at about a scale foot!

Hope this will be of some use to everyone.

Cheers

Steve

[Ian M]

Nice one Steve I just happen to have a XIV on the bench awaiting primer. I am so looking forward to painting the wing stripe now as mine is the usual 1/48 scale....two millimetre.. gulp.

Guilty as charged with the propeller tips.

Looking forwards to seeing the paint go on this one Steve. I see the never existed Duck-egg has reared its ugly head again.....:laughing:

Ian M

PS can't tempt you to post that doc in the reference section could I ?

[stona]

Duck egg blue,duck egg blueish green,all sorts get mentioned but the colour was called Sky.

Notice the mixed grey to be applied in place of the "brown" (Dark Earth) on the upper surfaces. It wasn't designated "Ocean Grey",which we all call it today,until sometime later.

I'll happily post the document in the relevant place.......just got to figure out how

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Great tip on the leading edge yellow paint Steve and looking awesome so far!

[aaron]

Awesome stona, cheers for that tasty little info. I thirst for that, The builds looking fantastic so far.

[stona]

I got the underside sprayed and shaded with Medium Sea Grey yesterday.

This morning I've masked the underside up and attached my handle. For those of you who spray standing up,holding the model,this works really well.

I've also applied a basic coat of Ocean Grey to the upper surfaces. I'll shade and modulate this this evening,when things have cooled down a bit in my "studio". The sun is just about to hit it,which is great,but not for spraying.

Cheers

Steve