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1/72 Airfix Spitfire I & two Spitfire Ia, 72 Squadron, 266 Squadron and 222 Squadron, 1940


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I've just finished these, the first trio of Airfix's Spitfire I's from my stash built to utilise three of the schemes on the new Xtradecal Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Spitfires transfer sheet X72221 here. A further three are on the way for the release of the second Xtradecal set of Spitfires when it is released in a couple of weeks time.

The first is a Spitfire I, RNoN, serial overpainted (or possibly retouched out of the photographs by the censor) of 72 Squadron at RAF Leconfield in Yorkshire, May 1940. The text indicates this aircraft was flown by the Australian ace Des Sheen, I would suggest that although he may have flown it on occasion it 'belonged' to another pilot as it has a Kiwi badge on the cowling; I have seen another Spitfire from this squadron with a boomerang motif on the access door coded RNoJ also described as Des Sheen's aircraft which would make more sense - not that it matters in respect to my model :)

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This was built out of the box except for Eduard microfabric seatbelts, Owl etched metal exhaust shield night-flying 'blinkers', SBS resin exhausts (the ones for the Hurricane kit but they fitted fine, as they should :)) Rizla paper gun-port covers, EZ-Line R/T aerial wire and Xtradecal transfers as described above. I also added plasticard seat and headrest armour, but I would not bother doing that again unless I was planning on leaving the canopy open, as it is quite invisible once closed up. Uppersurface camouflage was Phoenix Precision Paints Dark Earth and Dark Green, the undersides are a one-off mix of near-black and near-white,

The second is a Spitfire Ia X4593 UOoA of 266 Squadron based at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire in July 1940, I haven't been able to find out anything about this aircraft or who might have flown in it, but the Aviation Directory suggests that it first flew in October 1940 which is possibly correct as it is quite a late series serial number... again, this makes no real difference to my model though, except that they might be displayed in the wrong chronological order; sorry...

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This model was built and painted as the one above, with the exception that the exhaust glare-shields were not fitted and the undersides were painted in Phoenix Precision Paints 'Sky'.

The third and final model represents Spitfire Ia P9323, ZDoF, of 222 Squadron based at RAF Hornchurch in Essex in late August 1940. This aircraft was shot down by a Bf109 over the Isle of Sheppey on 30 August 1940; the pilot Sergeant Arthur Spears baled out unhurt - he was later shot down and wounded by Adolf Galland in 1941 but survived the war and died 30 September 1998.

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This one was painted as the others, but with the underside done in WEM Colourcoats 'Eau de Nil' (now available under the Sovereign Hobbies label) as there is some reason - ranging from 'probable evidence' to 'wishful thinking' depending what end of the spectrum you choose - that at least some 222 Squadron in 1940 were, for a period at least, painted in a colour other than standard 'Sky'*

These were my first builds of the 'new tool' Spitfire kit released in 2011(?) and it was a lovely build; I 'loosened' the holes for the locating pins on the fuselage and the wings on the advice of our compadre Beard from this very forum (thank you Simon) and may have sidestepped several issues in doing this - ignorance in this case being analogous to bliss :D

Most of the criticism of this kit I have read relates to the panel lines - they are actually quite thin but they are very deep indeed and you might consider not making any effort to shade them; I just left them as they were and I think they are okay, bit more present than would be ideal but not a sufficient reason not to make this your Mk.I Spitfire of choice.

Sorry for all the words.

Cheers,

Stew

* How to avoid saying something while appearing to say something, or to say something while appearing to say nothing :lol:

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All three of them look most excellent.

(BTW. I can't claim credit for the tip regarding opening up the locating pin holes. I picked it up from some-one on here.)

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Great build Stew and gorgeous results, as usual.

Bit disappointed that none of the shots show spinning props, but perhaps you prefer to have a blow in private*. Probably for the best.

* Dbl-E, score 1, fnaar fnaar

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great to see them all finished, they look unbelievable, could well pass them off as much larger models, you sir are pro, als odon't believe how quickly you done all that, I'm a novice and just build close to OOB and I still not finished my 3rd spit

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A great WIP thread that's resulted in the three great Spitfires! And, as others have said above, they could easily be mistaken for aircraft of a larger scale. Great work. Well done. :goodjob:

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Great stuff Stew,

They all look brilliant and they have the right Battle of Britain era `feel' to them,.......so well done and I`ll look forward to the next batch! You have to do some Hurricane`s to accompany them now though,.....don`t want to accuse you of Spitfire bias now do we!

Cheers

Tony

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Fabulous builds and a very enjoyable thread.

Thanks very much Jim, I appreciated your attention to the build thread too, cheers :)

All three of them look most excellent.

(BTW. I can't claim credit for the tip regarding opening up the locating pin holes. I picked it up from some-one on here.)

Thanks Simon, I tend to lose track of where I heard stuff too, but you tipped me off to the locating pins so I would be remiss not to thank you - ta very much mate :D

Very nice indeed Stew , All three look spot on mate. looking forward to the next batch. :goodjob:

Thanks very much Keith, the second batch have had their sprue-bath and I will start on the cockpits this evening... :D

Great build Stew and gorgeous results, as usual.

Bit disappointed that none of the shots show spinning props, but perhaps you prefer to have a blow in private*. Probably for the best.

* Dbl-E, score 1, fnaar fnaar

Thanks very much Ced :D

great to see them all finished, they look unbelievable, could well pass them off as much larger models, you sir are pro, als odon't believe how quickly you done all that, I'm a novice and just build close to OOB and I still not finished my 3rd spit

Thanks very much Stu - actually I was thinking I should finish the next three a bit quicker as I know which bits to watch out for and which I can cruise :lol:

Lovely work on all three Stew and a superb WIP,roll on the forthcoming BoB group build I,ve one Mk1 on the to do list.

Thanks Steve - like I said it was my first go at this kit and I was very impressed; I think the Defiant edges it in pure building pleasure but there isn't a lot in it... :D

A great WIP thread that's resulted in the three great Spitfires! And, as others have said above, they could easily be mistaken for aircraft of a larger scale. Great work. Well done. :goodjob:

Thanks very much Stix, very kind of you :D

Lovely work on all three :coolio:

Thanks very much Col :D

Thanks to you all for your attention gents B)

Cheers,

Stew

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A very trio of Spitfires Stew.

:goodjob::goodjob::goodjob:

Simon.

Definitely :lol: thanks mate

Beautiful build ! :thumbsup:

Thanks very much Bernd :D

Great job on these Stew, must get one of mine started now.... :goodjob:

Thanks Greg - if you've already built one you'll know what to expect, if not, go careful and you will be in for a treat :D

Great stuff Stew,

They all look brilliant and they have the right Battle of Britain era `feel' to them,.......so well done and I`ll look forward to the next batch! You have to do some Hurricane`s to accompany them now though,.....don`t want to accuse you of Spitfire bias now do we!

Cheers

Tony

Thanks very much Tony, it's very gratifying to read that from you - I'm afraid I already have another three lined up ready to go, but in fairness so far I have built as many Defiants as I have Spitfires so I do have a little slack to take up :D

Cheers,

Stew

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Stew they are three beautiful Spitfire's... Its not right to have favourite's... But mine is the first one.

Also I recommend the wip for so entertaining reading mixed with fantastic and motivational modelling.

Also your first try at this kit beats the monkey's out of my first try.

Rob

P.s. looking forward to the next three and what you pull out* for the BofB GB.

*just for you Ced

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Three fine Spitfires there Stew, lovely stuff. looking forward to the next batch B)

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