malt1977

I'll keep an eye on this thread, see if I've missed any Spits. Currently have 36 and now need an extra display case.

Just ordered the Spit and Seafire, too good a price to pass up and you can never have too many Spits... I've got 36 built and another squadron waiting to be built!

I'd say prototype indeed.

That looks great!

Colour looks great! It's really starting to take shape now.

Have a look on the net and see if you can find some blueprints or similar, there are many differences. Marc

I wish i had half the patience that you have. This is going to be a cracking model when its finished.

Looking good! If anyone ever goes to Malta, you've got to check out the air museum at Ta'Qali as there is sooooo much info on the squadrons based in Malta during the war and beyond. Marc

I certainly wouldn't wan't to try and lace the spokes on something that small...It's had enough on 20" wheels

Thanks for all the great comments guys, like I said, I can only take credit for the first 6. Marc

Stunning!

Thanks! The Hurricane was painted red as it was used to tow targets for air to air target practice... guess they had a few too many close calls Marc

Ooops, I didn't realise that it was nearly identical to your title, sorry about that

From what I can find, the metal control surfaces started on the Mk Vb. The Va was still fabric and the Mk IIa certainly would have been also..

You're safe with the blue, this colour was widely used for a fair few decades when the company started. It may or may not have been called Celeste back then. Bianchi also used the blue widely on their motorbikes.

Still, its a great depiction and I love what you've done with the props.

Interesting, I'll be watching this one. After 12 years as a cycle mechanic, my only gripe is the wheels, the spokes are three cross which is correct, but the should be over - over - under, probable not an easy thing to on such small scale. As for the colour, the Celeste did change a fair amount over the last 125 years. Here is a Bianchi I had a few years ago, just to give an idea of the Celeste colour now: Good looking build by the way. Marc

That is going to look stunning when its finished. I'm looking forward to seeing your Seafires.

A great idea and very well done. Would the tail wheel not have pivoted around due to the angle?? Just an observation, not a criticism. Marc

Here you go... By mid-1940 however, Cotton had clashed with senior officials in the Air Ministry over his participation in the evacuation of British agents from France under the cover name of "Special Survey Flights." After his return from France couriering Marcel Boussac, the head of the Christian Dior garment and perfume empire, for a fee, he was removed from his post and banned from any involvement with air operations.[5] Following several efforts to be reinstated, even involving Churchill himself, Cotton resigned his commission; he was nevertheless awarded an OBE.[6] For the remainder of the war, Cotton acted as an unofficial consultant to the Admiralty. Under the new designation, 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU), based at RAF Hendon, 1 PRU went on to a distinguished wartime record, eventually operating five squadrons out of a number of bases. Succeeding commanding officers would emulate the spirit and innovative techniques pioneered by Cotton.

Nice pic! We get a fair few Air Atlantique aircraft here in Jersey (they use to be based here) and see the DC-6 all the time. I could be wrong, but I think they have an Electra or two as well.... It's kind of like the UK version of Buffalo Airways.

This should help you: PR Mk IA The first ones were ex combat Mk Is with the armament removed but the bullet proof windscreen remained. The colour was called camotint, a pale grey-green. Its hard to make out on my model, but you can just see the blisters in the canopy that were added for the PR role. All my info came from the publication ''On Target PROFILES 8''. Good luck. Marc

Great looking example!

Great pair of spits. Certainly given me inspiration for the MkIX I've got waiting.

That really has turned out well, even after having to resort to brush. Great looking build you have there.