Hi

I started my xmas present a few weeks ago and wanted to start a thread going through the build. I've never taken pics through a build before and thought that this would be a good time to start.

This is my 3rd model since starting the hobby again after 20 years away and am more focused than ever to make this model with a great deal of detail as the Spit has got to be my all time favorite aircraft.

Everyone goes on about how great this kit is and i'm another person that is enjoying every minute of it so far.

I have started assembling the cockpit components and am using the Eduard Kit to detail plus putting some of my own details in too. I intend to do the weathering at a later stage even though some people like to weather the structure before adding detail.

I will add more tonight of the other completed components.














06/09/11


27/9/11


14/11/11
Fitting Photoetch flap kit into plastic. I have modified one wing and left the other to show the difference. 

21/11/11
Lower wing build complete including undercarriage bays. Just needs top surfaces bonding on and I can start joining it to the fuselage. 


4/12/11
Top surfaces bonded on and joined to fuselage.

Engine check fitted to assy.

Control surfaces assembled. 

Gun blisters modified from original moulding for accuracy. The blisters were modelled wrong in the kit so a bit of fettling was needed. 

23/12/11
Photoetch parts fitted to the Rad Ducts

Ready for paint.

Panel lines highlighted before first coat.

28/12/11
Aluminium base coat applied. I will apply very small dabs of latex masking paint to stone chip prone areas of the wings and fuselage and when the final colours are sprayed this will be rubbed off to expose aluminium chips on those areas giving a flaked / chipped effect.

5/1/12
Lower surface and associated parts sprayed. I have rubbed off the latex mask that I applied on the silver to have the flaked / chipped paint effect. 

11/1/12
Getting close to painting the camo on now. I've decided to go real authentic and use rubber matting like they used in the war to spray the camo shapes on with. I'm going to just tack the shapes on so the edges aren't secure so it creates a soft edge when it's sprayed with the airbrush. 

This is a build thread I shall watch closely. Looking great so far!

Thanks.

More pics added.
My first post can't have anymore pics added for some reason so I'll carry on here.
16/1/12
Ghosting the camo for grey paint application so I know roughly where to cover. 

Masks worked really well. Happy with the finish. Looking more like a Spit now. Paint appears lighter than it should, this is due to me placing a light right above the model for the pic.

26/1/12
I don't do big decals so I prefer to spray larger insignia on with airbrush. I have made my own stencils and am in the process of spraying on the ID and Roundels on to the aircraft. This way I can see all the detail rather than covering it up with a decal. It looks more realistic too IMO. 


1/2/12
All insignia stencil painted. It can be a bit tricky but with a bit of patience it can be a nice finish. 








5/5/12
Back again. Had a lot on just lately so not much progress. Back on it now though.

Likewise . . .

Nick

I've got a front row seat

Subscribing!!

This is the kit that got me started back into the hobby after 30-odd years. Like you it was a Christmas present - albeit Christmas 2009 - and I'm still to complete it! Great kit and I can't wait to see your build progress as well!

I failed to say I got mine Xmas 09 too. Just got round to starting it now. :0)

That's some real quality detailing and painting going on there, very nice !


Si.

More pics added.

I am settled in and watching this with interest...

More pics added on page one.

The cockpit is closed up now between the two halves and i'm currently working on the engine so that will be the next series of pics.

Merlin pics added.

Actually, having completed mine, it's great to see how other modellers are progressing with theirs. My engine 'plumbing' left a lot to be desired, but yours looks the bees!

Wow looks great, nice work so far.

Thanks for sharing

All the best

Chris

All I ever get for xmas is bloody socks and shirts

Thanks for the comments. I like looking in here for inspiration too as its surprising how different people do different things.

As for the Xmas pressie, I normally end up buying it for myself and saying I'll have it for Xmas. That's how I get round the socks issue. :0)

Painted engine and mount.
Next is to install the engine and start adding missing electrical looms and pipes.

Engine weathered and installed. Just in the process of adding hyds lines and looms.

New pics added on first post

Engine is pretty much finished, just needs a few touch ups in places and a bit of dry brushing.

More pics added on 1st post.
Outer structure and exhausts fitted.
Tamiya had suggested XF56 and XF7 to make up the exhaust colour butit just didn't look right. I ended up adding in a bit of Red Brown into it to get the extra brown look.

Eduard flap structure fitted. Very nice kit to build and fit to wing parts.

Looking good my friend. Well done.

Top work!

More pics added on first post.

More pics added.

More progress pics added.

Pics added

great work

Very well done , I like the clear shots too, very crisp details

That's a very impressive build!

Particularly the RR Merlin looks "Life-Like"

Your attention to detail is some of the best i've seen. Very accurate to the original.

Did you Melt plastic sprues and extrude to get the fine wire 'look' for the control cables under the pilot's seat?

I also Like the idea of using rubber matting to do the Camo scheme! Was it succesfull?

Phil.

Thanks for the comments. It's nice to see comments like that. nobody had said anything on this thread for a while and i thought i may of been doing something wrong.

The Merlin was going to be the centrepiece of my model, i managed to get access to a MK9 at Duxford with the engine cowlings off and got some real good shots. Most of the pipework is in there but some of the real small wiring isn't but it looks effective enough.

I haven't sprayed the model yet so i'm not sure how its going to work out. The rubber sits as it would if it was on the real aircraft so just needs to be tacked in place so it doesn't move.

I used copper wire for the cables under the seat. I used a .2 drill bit to drill out the middle a little and then superglued the wire in.

Looking bloody gorgeous mate

My first post can't have anymore pics added for some reason so I'll carry on on my second post of this thread.

great work

More pics added on my second post in this thread as I can't post anymore on the first.

Luscious. Looking gooooood!

Looking good

This is outstanding. I like the painted markings.

Thanks for the comments.

Looks great mate! You'll soon find that you won't be able to post any more photos in the first thread (limit is 30 per post I think?) Just to let you know

Yeah i noticed that. I started putting them in my 2nd post below the first.

Thanks for the tip though.

More pics on 2nd post. Insignia painted.

great work my friend!

Thanks

Nice work.

Not a critism, more of a question, why are you adding photos to your first posts rather than adding them to in sequential posts? Just makes going looking for the latest update rather awkward.

Thanks.

I prefer to put them in all one place rather than spread through the entire thread.

If people prefer it that way then i'll start doing it on my future builds . For now though, if you see this thread bumped to the top then go straight to the 1st page.

Good work with the masks.

Ian

lovely work there - great build thread and lots of detail to show. Looking forward to the end of this one - then sit back, grab a brew and watch it all again!!

Thanks. I have had a bit of a break from this as work is quite busy at the mo so my head isn't in the right frame of mind.
I had a bit of a fail spraying the prop so had to strip it back and start again.
I'll be back on it again soon.