Airfix 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vc - My first completed build

[scottie3158]

I echo what the other guys have said. That is a cracking result especially for a first attempt trying out the various techniques.

[Mini Me]

Looks good from here Mike, Just keep in mind that the whole theme of this forum is to have fun........seems to me you are really enjoying yourself and it only gets better from here. :thumb2: Rick H.

[colin m]

Mike, clearly your brush painting skills are up there with the very best of them. As many have said, a matt finish would look better. Maybe your can had settled ? If you find your self out for a drive soon, chuck the can in the boot and let it roll around. It will soon be mixed. Looking at the surface texture, I'm wondering if you sprayed the model from too far away, but would this affect the matt to gloss finish, I don't know.
But anyway, that's still a great looking Spitfire. Good work.

[Valeron]

Following the comments on Matt varnish, I've now brushed on Vallejo Matt acyclic varnish and I think it looks much better compared to the shiny picture I posted earlier.

[colin m]

I think it looks much better compared to the shiny picture I posted earlier.

I have to agree, it's a big improvement.

[Code no 10]

Great outcome! I really like the camo paint work.
Try painting the tyres flat black, as it would gives a more beliveble look.

[Tim Marlow]

I think that looks excellent Mike. It’s not completely matt, but to be honest, I prefer a semi matt finish on aircraft myself anyway. I think a completely matt aircraft looks dead to the eye and doesn’t show off it’s lines so well. Nice one. How’s the T62 doing……

[Valeron]

I think that looks excellent Mike. It’s not completely matt, but to be honest, I prefer a semi matt finish on aircraft myself anyway. I think a completely matt aircraft looks dead to the eye and doesn’t show off it’s lines so well. Nice one. How’s the T62 doing……

The T62 is on hold for now. I've been practising on 1/72 aircraft for now, getting reading for my first GB with the Mossie, which starts in July. I will get back to the T62 though.

[Gavalaar1980]

That's a very neat, well painted model. Excellent job, you've done well there considering your lengthy hiatus. I read through your step by step and that's pretty much the logical approach to model making I'd say.

Here are some tips:-

Take your time. For me, half hour sessions per day are perfect. Too much time in the zone in one sitting can be confounding.
If you make a mistake, don't panic, most modelling and painting issues can be rectified.
If you use Tamiya paints then a retarding agent is essential. Vallejo paints are indeed very smooth, good choice there.
After you have built the model, before any painting use Tamiya extra thin cement to smooth over any imperfections. It's a magical product.
I personally don't weather my models, I don't really think it's particularly important but each to their own.
Use a small block of wood and blu tac individual parts for painting onto it for multi angle access.
Decals can be a nightmare. I usually try and keep it to a minimum. Decal fix will leave a residual stain on your paint work, which will have to either be varnished over or re painted.

For your next project, would you consider a figure?

Kind regards,

Gavin.

[Valeron]

That's a very neat, well painted model. Excellent job, you've done well there considering your lengthy hiatus. I read through your step by step and that's pretty much the logical approach to model making I'd say.

Here are some tips:-

Take your time. For me, half hour sessions per day are perfect. Too much time in the zone in one sitting can be confounding.
If you make a mistake, don't panic, most modelling and painting issues can be rectified.
If you use Tamiya paints then a retarding agent is essential. Vallejo paints are indeed very smooth, good choice there.
After you have built the model, before any painting use Tamiya extra thin cement to smooth over any imperfections. It's a magical product.
I personally don't weather my models, I don't really think it's particularly important but each to their own.
Use a small block of wood and blu tac individual parts for painting onto it for multi angle access.
Decals can be a nightmare. I usually try and keep it to a minimum. Decal fix will leave a residual stain on your paint work, which will have to either be varnished over or re painted.

For your next project, would you consider a figure?

Kind regards,

Gavin.

Thanks for the input.

I am considering figures for the future, hence my question to you yesterday on your German figures. I used to paint the small Airfix figures back in the early 1980s but the paint work was very basic compared to yours. Basically flesh on the face, grey on the uniform and black on the boots. Monotone, messy and boring basically

[Gavalaar1980]

Thanks for the input.

I am considering figures for the future, hence my question to you yesterday on your German figures. I used to paint the small Airfix figures back in the early 1980s but the paint work was very basic compared to yours. Basically flesh on the face, grey on the uniform and black on the boots. Monotone, messy and boring basically

Yeah I agree. Avoid the Airfix figures, they aren't very good in my opinion, poor moulding detail. There are numerous options for figures; Tamiya 1/16 scale figures are excellent (I have done 3 of those which are in the completed builds section if you want to look them up), Zvezda make lovely small 1/72 scale kits. I prefer German figures because they make a more striking subject to paint (smart detailed uniforms). With figures the construction and assembly is fairly minimal, the bulk of the project is detailed painting. Ask me anything regarding figure painting advice, will help as best I can. G

[Flip]

Mike,
Crumbs! You say this is your first completed build. If I had turned out something as good as that, I would have been seriously chuffed!
Congrats!
John