SimonL Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 My daughter bought me the new tool 1:48 Spitfire Vb at Christmas time and last year I picked up cheap at a swap and sell the Malta Defender's boxing of the Special Hobby Spitfire Vc. I thought it would be instructive to build both of them "side by side". The Special Hobby kit was a bit trickier than the Airfix kit (no surprise really), although the Airfix kit did have its moments (the landing gear legs were particularly troublesome). I also did not make use of all of the photo etch in the Special Hobby kit - not being a great fan of it. Rather than use CA glue I used Humbrol Clearfix, which worked pretty well. I also tried a few extra bits of weathering that I haven'r tried before, some exhaust staining using dry brushed acrylics (may be a little overdone on the Vb?), cordite stains using some pencil graphite and some minor paint chipping using some flat aluminium acrylic. Both were completed as Malta Spitfires, although I know that colour schemes for these are a bit of a can of worms. First, the Airfix Vb finished as the aircraft flown by PO "Buck" McNair DFC RCAF with 249 (Gold Coast) Squadron RAF, Ta'Qali, Malta, March 1942. Brush painted Tamiya Acrylics, using XF53 Neutral Grey for the locally mixed grey colour. I almost regretted that because the paint was quite old and went on a bit "claggy" even when thinned. Decals were fine but needed some help to sink down into the detail using some brushed on Tamiya Acrylic thinner. Made grubby with some watercolours and finished with a couple of coats of brushed on Italeri Acrylic Flat Clear. Second one is the Special Hobby Vc finished as the aircraft of Sgt Claude Weaver of 185 Squadron RAF, who was shot down on September 9th 1942. There is a well known image of this aircraft crashed on a beach. I chose to go with Extra Dark Sea Grey over Azure, which from reading around on the forums is not completely unreasonable. I used Italeri Acryl Azure Blue for the undersides, the first time I have used this brand of paint on a larger canvas, and I am very happy with the results. It went on beautifully in thin coats using water to thin it without obscuring the fine engraved detail. While fragile it also touches up really well. Decals were a bit fragile, and I had some trouble getting them to settle over the lumpy detail on the underside. Had to resort to a coat or two of the Tamiya Acrylic thinner. Again some water colour to make it a bit grubby and highlight the detail, and Italeri Acryl Flat Clear to finish. And finally both of them together. Thanks for looking. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Two great looking Spits, with interesting camo schemes and markings, well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoohoo Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 A lovely pair of builds Simon and both ones that I want to do at some point, good results with brushing the Tamiya acrylics as well, they spray great but I struggle with using them for brush painting. How was the special hobby kit to build, a mate has one and I thought it looked nice in the box? Cheers, Stu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Thanks :-) Stu - it's actually a pretty straight forward build. Of course being essentially a short run kit you need to be a bit more careful with the fit. Plenty of dry fitting and a bit of sanding needed to bring it all together. Some filler needed here and there, the insert for the rear underside of the fuselage and the attachment of the Vokes filter to the underside of the wing probably needed the most. I also have the Italeri re-pop of this a a well as the Special Hobby Seafire II which I now feel a lot more confident about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimHead23 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Very nice indeed. Again I am. tempted to go back to hand brushing after seeing your excellent results 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Brilliant Spitfires Simon! Lovely job on the paintwork! Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Who says you can't brush paint Tamiya acrylics? Great job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theanorak73 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 very nice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Now that's a lovely pair.... both are great! Suckered for anything malta based and you have done the island defender's proud. I looked at doing 'x' for mine but missed the decal set on ebay, went with TN (t) of S/L lynch, I hope mine turns out somewhere near yours. Cheers Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 Very nice indeed. Again I am. tempted to go back to hand brushing after seeing your excellent results Go on - you know you want to Brilliant Spitfires Simon! Lovely job on the paintwork! Well done. Thank you! Who says you can't brush paint Tamiya acrylics? Great job. Many thanks, maybe its just practice but I find them easier to use than enamels (they are certainly faster). very nice Thank you Now that's a lovely pair.... both are great! Suckered for anything malta based and you have done the island defender's proud. I looked at doing 'x' for mine but missed the decal set on ebay, went with TN (t) of S/L lynch, I hope mine turns out somewhere near yours. Cheers Rob Thanks - I look forward to seeing it as an RFI! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Great models 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony8 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 really super spits.well done.you have inspired me to finish two Eduard 1 /144 spits in unusual colors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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