Part 1 Supermarine Spitfire MkVb

[Robert1968]

Thanks Steve for this vital information. I'll have to take a small file to them and clean up and rescribe.


I have to admit on the pictures I've seen of Vbs I have not really seen the top wings,mainly side profiles or model kits of Vbs


Cheers


Robert

[Guest]

Really nice progress Robert. Steve is an absolute encyclopaedia on these things.

[yak face]

Coming on beautifully now robert , it looks a great kit. The pe belts look awesome and are the first thing that people notice (or notice missing) when they see a completed cockpit . I really must get myself a Spit of some sorts , surprisingly I've only built one since I was a kid and I only ever did 2 back then (venerable Airfix VB JE-J ,and my fave at the time ,the old Revell 1/32 with retracting wheels and removeable engine panels !!) . This one has shown me how nice the Tamiya 1/48 s are . cheers tony

[Robert1968]

You need to remove the strengthening strakes on the top wings, over the wheel wells. Your Spitfire left No.8 M.U. in February 1942 on its way to Malta. Those strakes were fitted as a modification from 16th July 1942 and it wasn't until December that squadrons received leaflets allowing them to do the work themselves. There's no way your Spitfire could have had them.
Cheers


Steve

Removed with a No 10 scalpel and fine sanded smooth ( no rescribe needed!! Woohoo

[Robert1968]

Pics of progress on wing after stones exellant knowledge got me on track. I thought I'd got away with the rescribe but to be on the safe side I took the panels back in line. Think I knickef the right cannon blister and the left wheel well but easily fixed with mr surfacer and a smooth sand.

[Guest]

This is looking the business Robert what scale is it.?


Scott

[stona]

surprisingly I've only built one since I was a kid and I only ever did 2 back then (venerable Airfix VB JE-J

Blue plastic (they called it something like 'impact resistant'), came in a bag? You're showing your age if it was that one


Cheers


Steve

[Guest]

Just got back to this Robert.


And what fine progress you are making.


I can see there has been a lot of work put into this and it is certainly paying off.


Those seatbelts look brilliant and will be even better once painted.


Looking forward to more of this great build.

[Robert1968]

This is looking the business Robert what scale is it.?
Scott

This is Tamiya 1/48 scale Supermarine Spitfire MkVb ( Trop) item No 61035.


It's a sweet kit and I'm enjoying it


Robert

[Robert1968]

Just got back to this Robert.
And what fine progress you are making.


I can see there has been a lot of work put into this and it is certainly paying off.


Those seatbelts look brilliant and will be even better once painted.


Looking forward to more of this great build.

Thanks Ralph for the great comments, I'm getting there in leaps and bounds now will be nearing the paint stage soon.


Cheers


Robert

[Robert1968]

Blue plastic (they called it something like 'impact resistant'), came in a bag? You're showing your age if it was that one
Cheers


Steve

I remember my man buying me one of them when I was in short trousers ( came in a bag with card picture on top.


Showing my age


Robert

[Robert1968]

Where I am up to now.


Well I took Stonas advice over the wing straps and took off. Cockpit is finished and painted/ seat belts painted Khaki xf49/ and xf5 mix and all given a light dry brush with 502 Abteilung ( wash brown) I'm quite happy with this end result I've acheived.


Cockpit in and very little glue needed as very good fit.


Buttoned up and I by mistake knocked the retention wires on the Sutton harness but got it tidied and al is good now. Wing joined and needed little glue or filler at all ( impressed)


Vokes air filter fitted.


Pics


Comments welcome

[stona]

I remember my man buying me one of them when I was in short trousers ( came in a bag with card picture on top.
Showing my age


Robert

It wasn't impact resistant, at least not to the impact of a pellet from my .22 BSA Meteor


I've still got the steel target holder that came with the rifle in the loft, with the rifle, both 40 odd years old and both still working! I had the rifle 'refurbished' about fifteen years ago.


Cheers


Steve

[Guest]

That cockpit looks well used.

[Dave W]

Coming on beautifully now robert , it looks a great kit. The pe belts look awesome and are the first thing that people notice (or notice missing) when they see a completed cockpit . I really must get myself a Spit of some sorts , surprisingly I've only built one since I was a kid and I only ever did 2 back then (venerable Airfix VB JE-J ,and my fave at the time ,the old Revell 1/32 with retracting wheels and removeable engine panels !!) . This one has shown me how nice the Tamiya 1/48 s are . cheers tony

The new Airfix Spitfires are better than the Tamiya in my opinion.Which makes them fantastic value for money.Ive yet to build the Eduard mk9 in my stash.But that looks to be a contender for best 1/48 spitfire kit as well.