Bodmin Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) Thought I would give this model a go as it's been in my stash for what seems an eternity. I did consider putting it into the Spitfire group build but I fear it will not be completed in time for the deadline. An old kit I know, but to be honest I really don't think it's that bad and certainly doesn't deserve the criticism it receives considering its age. It's definitely worth the 20 quid I paid for it anyway. Edited April 24, 2016 by Bodmin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 A great choice. I've got this in the stash as well, along with some Grey Matter, Eduard and Airscale aftermarket bits. Looking forward to seeing you progress with this. Cheers, Tom. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 Cheers Tom. I shan't be using any aftermarket bits, however I am going to chuck in the motor for a little added fun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 First up the engine. Fitting the motor required a little modding as the bits would have been designed for the original motor released by Airfix. Nothing too drastic required, but packed it with putty just to be sure it didn't slip. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Bodmin, AWESOME choice and NEAT start to your build. Looking forward to seeing more... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 Quick undercoat and some painting detail. The Rolls Royce logo didn't turn out quite as planned but it looks a little better in real life. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Looking good. I don't think I've seen one of these built with the electric motor fitted. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Cheers, Tom. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadgaddad Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 I have this in the stash as well so I'll follow along too, if you don't mind. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 I have this in the stash as well so I'll follow along too, if you don't mind. By all means do. Patience is the key with this kit I think. Plenty of flash and not so great fitting parts. But looking at past builds it seems to look quite nice when done. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Steady she goes. Instrument panel and controls assembled, just the dials to insert post painting. Also seat assembled and painted. I'm having the pilot sit in this so I'm not too worried about the imperfections, I'm sure there will be plenty more as this build progresses. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Nice start Bodmin, it's a spitfire what's not to like. You should get this built in a week now you a gentleman of leisure. You may need some chocks when that merlin revs up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Nice start Bodmin, it's a spitfire what's not to like. You should get this built in a week now you a gentleman of leisure. You may need some chocks when that merlin revs up. Don't know where you get this "Gentleman of leisure" from mate. I certainly do have a little more time on my hands and I'd get a little more done if the weather would pick up. My loft is like a ruddy igloo!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Don't know where you get this "Gentleman of leisure" from mate. I certainly do have a little more time on my hands and I'd get a little more done if the weather would pick up. My loft is like a ruddy igloo!! I thought everybody put their feet up once they retired? Hope the new jobs going well. With the loft try star jumps, they always keep me warm. I've got a spare softy suit in the garage. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 Bah, just noticed there's no decals for the instrument panel...that sucks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Bah, just noticed there's no decals for the instrument panel...that sucks!!! Have you considered Airscale cockpit decals? They do an instrument panel for just about all the Airfix 1/24 range. The Spitfire Mk.V panel is less than a fiver. Hth, Tom. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Hi Great choice, This is a lovely kit and builds up well and IMO looks better than the trumpeter kit what with all the surface detail etc. There are not meant to be any decals for the dials. If I remember correctly, I think you dry brush the dials with some white paint to bring out the detail and looks quite effective when complete. Keep up the good work Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) Have you considered Airscale cockpit decals? They do an instrument panel for just about all the Airfix 1/24 range. The Spitfire Mk.V panel is less than a fiver. Hth, Tom. Hi Great choice, This is a lovely kit and builds up well and IMO looks better than the trumpeter kit what with all the surface detail etc. There are not meant to be any decals for the dials. If I remember correctly, I think you dry brush the dials with some white paint to bring out the detail and looks quite effective when complete. Keep up the good work Chris Cheers for the advice there guys. I didn't realise that there is some slight raised detail on the clear instrument sprue. I shall attempt to take on Chris' advice and dry brush the detail in white and then perhaps paint the rear black to bring it out. If this build goes well and I decide to do another one I'll definitely go for some after market cockpit detail. Edited April 26, 2016 by Bodmin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjimmyauk Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 hope it builds better than mine which was 1/8 inch longer on one side and the engine wouldn't fit into place so i ended up glueing the cowling's on. just be sure to keep checking the engine fit in the end i gave up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 Yeah the engine isn't a great fit. I've test fitted it a few times and the engine mount just doesn't sit right. I've done away with it and put in a straight bar instead. I've ben biting my tongue all week lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjimmyauk Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 (edited) Yeah the engine isn't a great fit. I've test fitted it a few times and the engine mount just doesn't sit right. I've done away with it and put in a straight bar instead. I've ben biting my tongue all week yeah the engine mount just don't fit properly at all and is so thin in laces you have to be careful not to break it. yeah the engine mount is just wrong and is so thin in places it breaks very easily, most of the build goes together ok with a little bit of sanding and filler. the 2 fuselage halves can be a bit temperamental but i found a good set of clamps to be very useful. Edited April 30, 2016 by Bigjimmyauk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 Well I took the plunge and after several dry fits glued the engine into one side of the fuselage. I only had two hard points to glue it to as I've done away with the engine mount as it wouldn't sit straight let alone fit properly, and replaced it with a length of sprue which only serves as cosmetic at best. My concern now is that I am going to get the exhausts to fit properly in between the stringers. The instrument console turned out better than I expected using the panel supplied. I maybe overdid the colours, but hey hoe . Just the masking to remove on the gun sight and compass later on. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Loking good, hope your exhaust fits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) Not sure if this helps at all. Instrument Panel for a Seafire III that I made for the Cave wall. Seafire III was basically a navalised MKV so apart from the Arrester Hook warning light it should be the same. Items missing are the flap lever Top left beside Nav Lights switch and the T handle for the oxygen supply which are the two dials together left top. Colours are right though.. Oh scale is 1:1.. Edited May 4, 2016 by Grey Beema 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 This is coming on well and you now have me thinking maybe I should go and make a purchase... Just one observation. The wires for the motor are quite chunky - how are you going to hide them and where will you put the batteries? Is the aeroplane going to be mounted permanently on a base? If so could you run thin wires down the undercarriage legs (disguised as brake lines maybe) and through the tyres into the base (batteries under the base)? I think it would be well worth planning ahead... I am wondering also how difficult it would be to convert this kit to a Seafire. Maybe just a MkII to avoid the wing folding... I think the biggest issue would be the arrestor housing.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor K2 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 With regards the wiring problem, a trolley acc could be simply scratch built with possibly watch batteries installed and then attached to the model via the ground power point. Just a thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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