JackG Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 (edited) Not my usual scale, but here's my stab at a 1/72 scale Malta Spitfire. The specific aircraft markings are from Xtradecal X72-161 The Battle for Malta RAF set, but I did use the kit's stencils. I added Quickboost exhausts, but had to scratch add the piping located to the rear of the stacks, made of 0.5mm styrene rod. Also had an Eduard PE set, but only used the screens for the larger radiator, but main reason for this AM product was for the landing gear doors. The kit's parts were too thick and actually sat on top of the wing instead of being flush - this was about the only complaint with this kit, that and the stencil placement, the orientation of which sometimes conflicted with other sources. The yellow codes were characteristic of 185 Squadron. A decade old SAM publication states yellow was chosen because at a distance it blended well into the dark earth and midstone scheme. Xtradecal also portrays the aircraft as such. The more recent Osprey publication on Malta aces is different. It retains the yellow codes, but is finished overall in some sort of blue-grey scheme. As a compromise, I've introduced the unknown blue-grey (possibly extra dark sea grey) only to the nose area. I also added a very faded (barely noticeable) look of this colour on the wing and tail surfaces via weathering powders of the appropriate colours. One of several pilots that flew BR294 was Canadian Wilbert Dodd. He actually flew this particular aircraft to Malta off the carrier Eagle during Operation Bowery, March 29 1942. This Spitfire was eventually struck off charge due to extensive damage from actions of July 1st and 2nd. regards, Jack Edited January 2, 2013 by JackG 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warris Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Amazing work well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atdb27 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Impressive work, esp in 1/72. Very nice model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIRAGEF1 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Most certainly looks the part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhtmo Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Poor thing looks knackered. Love the oil staining underneath. Brilliant. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunnylurve Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 That is brilliant. Actually, it's fooking brilliant! How did you achieve such a worn, dusty, dirty finish? Please tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanuszPL Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Really a very interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike DeTorrice Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 A gorgeous model of this Spitfire, Jack. Very high quality work in every area here from build, to details and finish, and on to the fine photo overview ! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eerie Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Very nice work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) Warris, atdb27, Parabat, MIRAGEF1, Dave , bunnylurve, JanuszPL, Mike, and Eirie - thank you all for the comments. I think the finishing flat spray is what gave this the most dusty look. I usually use Testors dullcote, but ran out and only had a bottle of Lifecolor Matt Clear (LC 27). This stuff seems pretty potent, even cutting it down 75% with water and adding a couple drops of future in the airbrush cup, it quickly dulled things down with just a few passes. The wearing on the wing roots is simply just grey pencil crayon, with a few flecks of silver crayon also thrown in. As mentioned, I did lightly brush some greyish blue powder over the surfaces. you can see the midstone is duller compared to fuselage codes area, which was not touched. I used MiG's Burnt steel blue, toned down with some black and white powders, which is quite a strong pigment on it's own. The oil staining on the undersides were originally overdone. So instead of doing a total makeover, I cut several strips of masking tape and layed them down in the patterns as they are seen now (you can make out 4 prominent streaks) and then sprayed the underside colour. A final touch up with the hairy stick, and bob's your uncle. regards, Jack Edited December 30, 2012 by JackG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ossian Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Please correct the obvious error in the scale you have posted -- there is no way that is as small as 1/72 Absolutely excellent work, and some useful tips on the weathering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Very nice indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Excellent job there Jack. She looks every inch a dusty well used Malta Spit. The oil stains are spot on and start bang in the right place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 Ossian, jimbuna and Miggers - thanks,glad you like it. ... and yes, it is 72nd scale. Here it is riding piggy back style on a 1/48 done earlier this year. regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Wow, I thought it was 1/48, really like your painting technique on both this and the real 1/48th one beneath it, definitely something to try and copy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Very nice indeed. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
model_insania Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I really like the well used appearance. Lovely build there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belle Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Always enjoy Spitfires. Great build Congrats. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted January 2, 2013 Author Share Posted January 2, 2013 woody37, Ian, model_insania and Belle: - thanks for looking, I appreciate the comments. Note, I have since replaced with a new set of photos using a white background. The quality has improved as I think the black was absorbing too much of the natural lighting. I have also enabled the flash, but did place a tissue over it to avoid too much starkness. regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now