DonH

This has got to be the most accurate 1/32 Spey Phantom in the world, already! I am really enjoying this Anthony, your attention to detail is astonishing.

Pushing along nicely with the build now. Firstly, my temporary wooden spars seem to have worked - no droop here The top of the wing is dead straight according to my steel, six inch ruler. I am not going to argue with that! Next up, I'm not sure why, but the elevators are too wide. The pic below shows the gap filled with white plasticard, 0.25mm thick. The hinge holes line up so the gap is definitely in the elevators (too long) or the tailplane (too short). In case you are wondering, I did not trim the tailplane! I could have left the gap, but it was just too big for my comfort. Now back to my assertion that the top wing is too long. The picture below shows a gap between the aileron and the wing tip. This has been filled with 0.5 mm wide card. Same on both wings. There is a step at the wingtip, caused by my straightening process that is about 0.5mm but easily filled and sanded back to a nice profile. Note the inboard end of the aileron fits snugly next to the flaps. Having dissed Airfix for some aspects of this kit, I have to say, it builds up into a lovely representation of a Chippie. With a modicum of modelling skills (which is all I have), there are no insurmountable issues. Next time, building the canopy on a jig (gulp), paint and decals.

And now for an "Airfix what were you thinking" moment. The wings.... I have seen a few builds that have either got droopy wings or have somehow fixed the droop. Here is my attempt: I have used a wooden auxiliary wing spar (pencil) to continue the line of the internal spar. This brings the bottom wing up level and in line with the top part of the wing. I am leaving the glue to set for a LONG time before I remove the scaffolding and see the final result. Having looked and hummed and hawed about the wings. Here are my observations, right or wrong: 1) The trailing edges are awful - too thick and need thinning. The ailerons are quite nice (as are the elevators) so Airfix, what were you thinking when you signed of on such thick trailing edges? 2) The main event. I am convinced that the top wing is about 1mm longer than the bottom wing. If you try and line up the wing tips, it induces a curve in the top wing and voila! a droop. I removed all the locating pins, trimmed the wing tip light recess so it would join seamlessly and then glued and clamped as shown above. I already know that I will have to trim and reshape the wing tips as there is definitely an overlap. I don't believe this is just my poor assembly skills. The wing root is lined up nicely and then everything slowly starts moving out of alignment until you reach the wing tip. I understand I could be wrong and I am just rubbish at assembly but, if I am correct, "Airfix, what were you thinking?" If you glue the wings together before adding to the fuselage, you might fix this, but I suspect you would have a lot of fitting and fertling to do at the wing root which is an option, of course. Anyway, I will post a picture of the naked wing once the glue has done it's job. Then we will see if I am drooping or not!

I am making fast progress (for me). This kit continues to amaze and disappoint me in equal measure. From the head shaking despair of the fit of the tailplane to a gasp of wonder when the lower wing clicked into place with no gaps - absolutely perfect. Overall, I would say I like this kit but I don't love it. Progress in the cockpit: I used the 3D IP decals and wished I hadn't. The kit IP has beautiful raised detail that will respond well to a dry brush and a tickle. Next time! Once the IPs are fixed under the coamings, you don't see a lot, so no big deal. Engine and firewall done: Nice details on these, but it won't be seen because I am buttoning up the cowlings. On that subject, an "Oh WOW"moment when adding the cowling parts. Four parts that are loose and need to meet to form the front cowling. I was dreading this. However, they more or less fell into place and look good at the moment. Primer may show up some defects but overall another "Well Done" to Airfix for this part of the kit.

3D decals for seat straps and IPs arrived today. To be honest, a dry brushed kit IP is just as good, so I may not use the IP decals, I will take a closer look before final decisions are made. Big question though - where do the seat harnesses attach on a mid to late 1960s Chippy? I think the lap straps come through holes in the side of the seat, but where do the shoulder harnesses attach. I have seen some photos where they attach to the top coamings, but that may be a later fit. Also, is there a fifth strap with the buckle on (there must be)? If so, where does it come from and go to? Sorry for the questions but the Kits World decals come without any indication of where the straps go. I also have a feeling the shoulder ones are a tad short if they are attached to the top coaming.

I was almost twenty years before you. I bet it was the same school though, I can still see the building on google maps.

Got parts snipped off the sprue and some black splashed on the cockpit. Engine built and painted, bit of green on the engine bulkhead and supports. All moving quite fast so far. On dry-fitting the fuselage with the cockpit parts inside, I noticed that the front end doesn't fit together well. The reason? A couple of ejector pin marks above the locating pins. It looks like the manufacturer has tried to grind away these marks, but not enough. I few moments with a scraper sorted that particular issue. Here's the offending area after surgery (same on both sides). I am also a little disappointed in Airfix with this kit. Apart from the droopy wings (I have that evident on dry fitting - at least I know how to fix) the moulding of the parts is sometimes a bit soft. Other parts are magnificent with beautifully rendered surface details. At least I don't have any short shots. However, the REALLY ANNOYING part is the raised rivets on the rear fuselage. On one half, they are fine, hard to see but still visible and you can feel them with your finger. On the other half, they are finer, more invisible and barely evident to the touch. In addition there is a rivet line that should go all the way round the fuselage that actually stops short of the join. This lack of consistency is annoying because it shouldn't happen. Airfix QA really needs to get a grip. I hope these shots will show what I am talking about, but it is hard to capture such fine, yet frustrating, details on my iphone: This picture (above) is the almost non-existent rivets. This picture (below) is the other side. More visible... The front half of the fuselage seems OK. I will probably sand off these rivets because I want to fill and reposition the battery compartment shown in the last picture. I also need to fill the hole I drilled above the oval plate because I think it is too far down the side and should be closer to the spine. Hey ho. What fun we have.

I like to build a series of kits based on some spurious theme plucked from the recesses of my dusty brain. In this case, I am starting a short series based on aircraft I saw at RAF Gatow when I was but a wee lad. First up: This will be one of the two Chipmunks stationed at RAF Gatow that were tasked with flying over Berlin and environs photographing interesting military assets. During my time there, the serial numbers were ZP850 and ZP971. The exact serial number I choose will depend on what I can butcher from the kit decals. They were all over Light Aircraft Grey, so an easy paint job is in my future. I have already snipped plastic off sprues and am preparing the cockpit for an all over black paint job. For reasons that mystify me, I have bought the Kits World 3D decals for this kit. I can't remember why, the IPs in the box look fine and a decent dry brush and tickle with a hairy stick should bring them up nicely. Maybe I got the decals for the seat belts. I am getting lazy in my old age! What's build #2 I hear you wonder. Hercules: crud and custard scheme with RAF Transport Command on the side. I'll start that one soon but I have an F-16D to finish for my Singapore Air Force series then an F-4J for my 74 squadron series. It's all very slow on my bench.

Thanks for posting the link, there are some very interesting photos! Best wishes for the project.

You are all totally wrong. It's a 1/32 Spey Phantom. Some bloke in the pub told me.

Well, that just shows how effective camouflage really is. I didn't spot that aircraft until you pointed it out. Doh!

Still looks like an avocado to me 😉

Interesting photos, thanks for sharing. Looks close enough for plastickery. If only the interior was quite as close.

🍿 I’m ready, bring it on.

I am going to watch this build with interest and awe. Having seen the pics of the "sprues" and the resin, I accept that this kit is totally beyond me and am at peace with that. Looking forward to seeing your progress, this is going to be an incredible build.

Fair enough and I hope you are right because you can never have too many Spitfires.

Nah, don't think so. No raised rivets, completely different wings and the cockpit is not the same. Almost a completely new tooled kit IMHO.

Told myself I didn't need another 1/32 Spitfire and then this happened! Take my money now!

Thanks! PM sent.

Ordered a set from the same seller ages ago and they haven't turned up yet. At least you give me some hope that they might appear.

Spey Phantom.

Me too. Can’t comment on frequency, but enough to notice.

It's just a question of priorities...

Anthony, I am loving the attention to detail and all your efforts to get things to look and fit right. The work required the wrangle resin and plastic into submission is amazing. I am enjoying every post!

S. P. E. Y. There are no other options.