RAF Desert colour scheme

[Guest]

Hi

Remember that Group build that started about a year ago - it was for a Spitfire. Well, I am just about getting round to it.

:abouttime:

I am building ICM's MkIX in the desert scheme. Question: should the wheel wells be azure blue like the rest of the lower surface. The colour callout is crazy: it says cockpit green! That can't be right, can it?

[Guest]

Hi Maxidad

Is it possable that cockpit green is Green Zinc Chromate a type of eching primer/preservative

[Marudek]

Hi maxidad66!

Click here and see yourself (landing gear picture No. 1 & 3). Wheel wells are not azure blue like the wing underside. Generally all interior is painted same colour - which in your case is cockpit green.

Regards,

Marudek

[Guest]

Hi MaxidadIs it possable that cockpit green is Green Zinc Chromate a type of eching primer/preservative

I'm no expert but I think zinc chromate was an American primer only. It's a bit limey coloured - I don't think it would have been used.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Guest]

Hi maxidad66!Click here and see yourself (landing gear picture No. 1 & 3). Wheel wells are not azure blue like the wing underside. Generally all interior is painted same colour - which in your case is cockpit green.

Regards,

Marudek

Yes it looks like a faded cockpit green - that could be the answer. That'll provide a nice bit of contrast

Thanks a lot.

[Marudek]

Could you please show us your model?

Regards,

Marudek

[Guest]

Thanks for your interest, Marudek. I'll try and get a couple of pix up tonight (I am at work at the moment).

[Guest]

Hello Again.

I put a few pix in my gallery. So click in the panel on the left to see those.

The cockpit looks better in real life; the close zoom shows up every tiny defect and the scratch-built harness looks a bit ropey under the glare of the flashlight. It also shows up all the dust from the sanding I have needed to do, to get the kit to fit together. Next steps are: filling with putty, rescribing panel lines, canopy, priming. However, away on holiday now for 2 weeks, so that will all have to wait.

[Marudek]

Hello maxidad66!

I’ve visited your gallery. I’m sure your Spitfire will be great. Cockpit is fine (only the “metal” bits on your harness are not square). I had the same problem with dust. Maybe you should cover ready bits while sanding. I have also taken a good look at your other models. These also prove you’ll be proud of your new Spitfire. I like your IL-2m3. Do you know the meaning of that red and white chessboard painted on the engine nacelle?

Regards,

Marudek

[Guest]

Hi Marudek. I know the buckles are not square. It was my first attempt at scratchbuilding them out of lead foil - it ain't easy :lame: If I can, I'll trim it, but as it's superglued on, it might just have to stay.

Thanks for your kind words about the Il-2; I am rather proud of it as it was the first model for which I used an airbrush. Also the fit was poor and it had almost no decent panels lines - so it took a lot of work.

The red chequerboard? Oh yes, Polish squadron - and what great work they did! This Spitfire will also be Polish from Squadron 145 serving in North Africa; pilot Lt Horbaczewski.

I hope it comes up to your expectations. See you soon mate.

[Marudek]

Wish you a good holiday. I'll wait till you're back and show some further progress.

Regards,

Marudek

[Guest]

Thought you'd like to know I finally finished my Spitfire which was supposed to be part of a group build started a year ago. Hope you like it. (See pix in my gallery).

[Guest]

very nice spit there!! lovely cockpit. are all the details scratch build or is it a set? lovely airbrush work for the camo. how did you get the soft lines? free hand or bluetack?

tigertc/terry...

did you ever make your pink one?

[Guest]

Thanks for your kind words. The only things scratchbuilt are the harness and buckles, made from lead foil. (Also the rudder pedals which were not molded properly, but they can't been seen anyway).

I didn't want the demarcation between the camo too fuzzy, as I think on most RAF colour schemes, the line was pretty sharp. However, I went for a "slightly soft edge" which as you perceptively noticed, was achieved with Blutac. (I just love that moment when the masking is removed, don't you?!)