Antb

Thank you for the kind words everyone.

Hi Folks, Hope we are all keeping well. Have had a bit of a lull in the mojo as of late so fancied an easy build to get me back into the swing of things. I picked up the Airfix starter set Typhoon as thought this would be a good and quick build. I dont ever build in 72nd, 48th is my go to scale, it was tricky to step down a scale. The build itself was OK, struggled with eradicating some pesky seams but managed to get there in the end. Paints used were Tamiya thinned with Self levelling thinners- camo was done freehand to try something different. That was an interesting experience. Weathered with oils and a flory dark dirt wash. Build was completely OOB.

I knew there would be a reason 🙂 top work again mate

Tis looking lovely mate. Just a quick something, is the tail wheel back to front? Seems to be from the photo.

Goes without saying but this is looking unbelievably good. I was hoping to get some inspiration to make a start on mine too, but frankly you're putting me off as I couldn't achieve anything anywhere near 🤣🤣 On a serious note, I'm really enjoying seeing it all come together and it is inspiring.

If I remember, that is a dark green one rather than olive drab isn't it? It's hard to tell. I've no actual idea 😁 theres so many shades of green and olive drab, who knows. Still, the builds looking great.

That's some seriously quick work! She's looking great. Re the colour, I know this one ain't faded but here's a shot of the one they have in the american display at Duxford. Not Sally B. Not sure if this is even helpful?

Thanks CC. I do like the tropical hurricane, especially the mk 2. I hear a new one is on the way soon. Might be a good one to pick up and build in the future for me.

Thanks guys

Thanks for the kind words chaps

Thanks buddy

Thanks john.

Hi folks Here's my latest completion. Tamiya Tropical Spitfire in 48th scale. I'm not a huge fan of the Spitfire (ducks and runs for cover) as there are loads of other interesting and under represented aircraft from the second world war, but of all the Mark's the Tropical Mk V is my absolute favourite. Theres just something about that filter stuck on the front that makes it look like an absolute brute. Have to admit being a bit vain as went for AN T of 417 squadron, although in my defence I saw the image of this spit when I was a kid and loved it ever since. I am aware that there are a few bits that aren't historically accurate to the actual plane such as the size of the serial but I couldn't cut the stencils that small so I used images of other 417 birds that showed them bigger instead. I also noticed on images of 417 planes that they don't seem to have the walkway markings so this one doesnt have it either. A few extras on this build. Eduard cockpit set, quickboost prop and nose cone, quickboost exhausts and aftermarket wheels. I made the masks for the markings myself and they are all painted. Paints were mr hobby laquers, and tamiya. Weathered with abteilung oils and some dry pigments for the dust. Sorry for the waffle, on with the pictures!!

Hi folks, The spit is done except for the antenna wire. Need to order some proper stuff as the super glue refuses to adhere to the invisible thread I use. Anyway, I'm going to add images in RFI but here's a shot for this thread. Apologies for the lack of updates throughout just couldn't find the motivation to keep taking pictures as I went .

Fab, thanks very much

White gets a vote from me too. Can I ask, this option comes in the eduard chattanooga choo choo boxing and makes reference for the squadron using RAF colours for the green and grey. What colours have you plumped for? Cheers

Thanks Clive. I like the stuff a lot. If you mess up you just wipe it off with water and go again. Pretty fool proof really and you're safe in the knowledge of it does go wrong it's an easy fix

She's looking the business mate. Slap it on john, cover the whole model and don't worry about runs and drips.

Hi guys Been a while since I've been able to get some work done but have managed to squeeze in a few hours. First off I flat coated the whole model rather than gloss coated. Reason being that these spits got some serious weathering and the flat coat would be a better surface for me to weather on. Next up was to add the few stencils that tamiya provides. The decals were thick and horrible and typical tamiya. I've got them down the best I can. With that, another flat over the decals and weathering. Flory dark dirt slathered on, left to dry and wiped off. Pretty happy so far, oils next. Here's the decals: All floried up Gear too And with the wash removed. I've also added some chrome onto the lights ready for the clear to go on. Thought it would add a nice effect. Quite happy so far, looking forward to getting some oil work going. Working on the base for it too which you will have seen in the images. As ever, grateful for any thoughts and feedback. Cheers all

That's some smart work Sam. Have you used a "guide" for the holes or are they all eyeballed? If the latter, that's some work to get them all straight and consistent!

Thanks Chris. Like anything it takes practice but worth it in the end.

So, SWMBO has informed me I'm not needed to help the business this evening so I get some bench time 😁 Not one for needing to be told twice, I've got some photos of the current state of affairs Model was primed using mr surfacer 1500 grey, 2 coats needed due to tidying up and then mr finishing surfacer black over that. Mottled using white and grey topside and underside and with a touch of brown on the underside. Paints were mr color azure, middlestone and dark earth. The middlestone was a nightmare to spray, really thick even when thinned and clogged the airbrush a few times. Got there in the end though and it settled well in the end. I made the masks for the markings and these were sprayed using tamiya and mr aqueous acrylics which I much prefer to the laquers. She will be getting a flat coat tonight ready for the decals which will just be the stencils and then it's on with the weathering. Hopefully from here on in there will be more photos. Cheers chaps

Hi Folks, I, as always, hope you are all keeping well. This must be the longest holding thread in the history of BM. I have had little spare time to get into the kit but the bit i have had i have sat down and just couldn't find the motivation to make a start. Having given it some thought, and on making progress with a 48th Spitfire i have been dabbling with, i have decided that the problem was with the markings on offer. They didn't get my juices flowing and i had no interest in the subject. If there's no interest in the build then youre not going to do a very good job. And this kit is far too expensive for that to happen However, this has all changed and i have decided that this will be my next build but with an aftermarket decal set- i have a set on backorder from the Big H and hope they come back into stock. I have plumped for something that includes VF-31 as really like their schemes and is something i can get into. So the plan is that i will make this a fully documented build, which can be a struggle sometimes, but i am determined to make this one just that and learn about the F14 on the way. Next update should be in a month or so as busy with work and want to finish the Spit first but wanted to make a note here in case anyone is interested in the build moving forward. Any input really appreciated Ant

Hi Chris, HUGE apologies for not acknowledging your post sooner, ive missed it completely! I have heard good things re the Airfix kit but couldnt find one knocking around so plumped for the Tamiya Kit instead. Re the decals, this one, like many of my builds recently, ive sprayed the markings on having made the masks myself. I enjoy painting the markings on WW2 aircraft and do it whenever i can. Some news on the build, its in the advanced stages with weathering and bits and pieces to be completed. I started taking photos and meant to provide updates but got lost in the build and found taking photos was sapping the enthusiasm somewhat. Ill post some pictures of current state of play soon, along with some notes of the build if anyone has any interest?

It is a lovely kit. I've one in the stash with a load of goodies to go with it but don't want to make a hash of it so nervous about making a start. Be great to follow your progress and see how she comes together