Yet Another 41(F) Sqn in 1/48 - Spitfire Mk21

[Guest]

Here we go again - another addition to the 41(F) in 1/48 project! This is what I think is called a 'kit bash'; a model made from several different kits. The fuselage is by Aeroclub; the wings are from the Airfix Seafire 46; the interior is from the Academy Spit XIV, and the enlarged rudder is from the DACO Spit XIV correction set. When all glued together, you get (I think!) a Spitfire Mk21; shown as a 41(F) Squadron machine specially painted for the airshow/air race season of 1946/7. The aluminium finish is Humbrol Aluminium from a rattle can, with the odd panel masked off and painted with Alclad White Aluminium and Dark Aluminium to break up the monotone. Red stripes sprayed with Tamiya Red. Decals are mainly from the spares box, but the Sqn marking on the cowling is from an Airfix Club set - it's slightly the wrong shape, but I can live with it.

Now - the big question which I'm hoping you'll help me with! I haven't weathered it, apart from the odd panel already mentioned, because I think it looks good as is - should I do some exhaust staining? Oil wash for the panel lines? What do you think??

[ATTACH]82032.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]82033.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]82034.IPB[/ATTACH]

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[Alan 45]

Looks fantastic for a jigsaw puzzle you'd never know it was made from several kits well done

Personally I like weathering so I say yes but it looks great as it is so it's not a requirement so just go with what your heart tells you

[Ian M]

thats a beaut. I gave mine a very light weathering. I think its on here some place.

Great kit bash.

[papa 695]

That looks very nice indeed and a great addition to the 41 Sqn project

[stona]

I'd leave it pristine if it was mine. An aircraft representing the RAF at shows is not likely to have been allowed to look uncared for.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

I agree with Steve on that one. Maybe some light exhaust staining, to show previous use, but yeah, it might be best to keep the dirt to a minimum.

[john i am]

Looks great as it is leave it I don't think additional weathering will improve on it but you could spoil your great work

[monica]

looks great, very nicely painted I agree with the above Andy

[Guest]

Very nice and clean build!!

Can I ask if the red lines are decals or you have paint them? Looks spot on

[yak face]

Beautiful job Andy! Personally I would leave it as is ,echoing what Steve said about it being a display aircraft and most likely kept very clean (I'm not a big fan of over inked panel lines anyway ) Top work , cheers tony

[Guest]

Here's a picture of the actual aircraft; it does look a bit grubby...

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But I guess you can't really tell from old pics.

[flyjoe180]

It doesn't look grubby to me in that period photo Rob. I'd say at least on race day this would have been pristine and polished. Great build, your Spitfire looks awesome in that scheme, and well done on the kit bashing.

[Guest]

That is a beautiful piece, the finish on the paint is sublime.

scott

[Guest]

What a super clean build,although I'm usually up for a good dose of weathering this looks awesome as is and IMHO should remain so. Very nicely done Sir!!!

[Guest]

That does look good, and I echo those who say it should really be left alone. About 30 years ago, I met a former 41 Squadron pilot, who'd been involved in preparing the aircraft (there's a suspicion that there were two, since two went to Blackpool.) He gave me the full scheme (to correct my effort on a 1/32 kit-bash,) and said that they'd only been prepared just before the event, so any weathering would have been minimal.

There hadn't even been time to paint the serial numbers, and argument still rages over which one(s) was/were used. One item, always missed on models, is that, in common with a lot of Griffon-powered Spitfires at the time, the cowlings were unpainted, polished metal, as was the panel over the fuel tank, so even less chance of staining.

If anyone fancies having a go at it in 1/32, in common with aircraft fitted with contraprops, the aircraft was fitted with the broad-chord "Mk.XVIII" rudder, with a 2" deeper horn (2" being cut off the top of the fin to accommodate it.)

Edgar