Search the Community

Last year on one of the model shows I was given revell set of spitfire Vb and Bf109 G10 in 1:72. I would not buy this set myself, as I've seen how many errors are in those two kits. First I wanted to sell them but I noticed that this two pack is more expensive than those two models when bought alone. Sigh. Model landed in back of the stash for some time. But after building first Spitfire Vb by revell this year and noticing that you can, indeed turn it into a decent model I started thinking about doing something with that other duopack. And then I found good images of Spitfire MkVb DB605 aka Messerspit. It was captured Spitfire Mark Vb (EN830/NX-X) that accidentally landed on the Channel island of Jersey on 18th November 1942. It was taken to Rechlin, Germany within a month of its capture. After some testing Germans decided to remove Merlin 45 and replace it with a Daimler-Benz DB 605A, a propeller and carburettor scoop from a Messerschmitt Bf 109G was fitted as well. Also its 12 volt electrical system was replaced with the Luftwaffe's 24 volt one. The original guns of the Spitfire Vb was removed as well According to multiple test pilots this hybrid plane turned out to be better than both Spitfire MkV and Bf109 G, joining strong sides of both planes while eliminating some of their problems. If I knew how much work it would be I would probably just get Brengun model... Especially as Revell propeller for Bf109 is completely crap (I guess molds are completely worn out by now) - each blade has different shape and length So I would have to buy new one (possibly Eduard printed one). But, instead I started work on revell plastic by removing engine from Spit and attaching new one from Messerschmit. It indeed fit well, having same width as spitfire hull but I found out I had to build entire upper part of cowling and fill the intake on the under side of it. Then I built cockpit with spare Eduard frame and plasticard floor, I also found 3d model of spitfire seat and printed it. Seat belts are from eduard set. I used front part of canopy from kit, but I decided to use another piece from Eduard for the back and movable part - as I plan to build my Eduard spits with open cockpit I have spare closed canopies from multiple models. So I cut one of them and tried to place it on this model. The fit is... not great. I had to thin parts of movable section as well as cut into the hull to fit it and even then I got small crack on the glass... But still it is better than Revell's foggy and scratched offering. With cockpit done I was finally able to join flusage halves, wings and attach engine. It obviously turned out not fitting that well but lot of fitting, gluing, puttying, sanding and polishing later, the result look like this:

I am building model of EP120 as LF MkVb with AEoA codes in 1943. While it is described as LF, I am not sure it actually got new engine (would this mean new exhaust?) as the plane today has 3 stacks with tube shaped ends (somewhat similar to Mk I exhaust). Wouldn't ordinary Vb use fishtail? This may be due to engine replacement at some point. Photos of EP120 current state: https://airlegend.fr/en/aircraft/supermarine-spitfire-mk-lfvb-ep120/ As I would prefer to make it as it appeared during WW2, I'd like to ask which exhaust type it had. Maybe there are wartime photos? So far I found only photos showing middle area of this plane.

My first kit in over 50 years. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Made some mistakes but all part of the fun! For a starter kit I was impressed by the quality of the fit.

While working on Vc from Malta, I pulled out "Spitfire Mk.V" by Revell - the well known 1996 boxing featuring some nice looking details and some massive blunders. I actually thought it is mk.Vc so I started it planning to build it with Xtradecal decals I used for the other Spitfire. But as you may be aware, it is in fact mk.Vb. Oh well. At this point I decided to build it as LF version as I do not have clipped Spitfire in my collection. Kit has decals for it - AEoE, EP120 (boxart plane). So I built model with clipped wings. And then I learned Revell idea of "Sky" as used on code letters and band is too dark. I looked through my spares box but haven't found any decals for LF version of mk.Vb. I do have some nice ones for full span wings. Sigh. Now I am not sure how I will paint it. Either I will stay with AEoE and ignore that letters are too dark. Or I will make undocumented plane from 303 Squadron that operated some LF Mk.Vb from late 1943 to June 1944 using RFoD codes from well known Zumbach's plane from the period when 303 first operated ordinary Mk.Vb (Oct'41-June'43). Cockpit is one of the weakest parts of this model that would require complete rebuilding. On the other hand, transparencies are so terrible, you will not see much of this. So, as I started this model with attitude "I have it so I will build it" I decided to paint what little there is and hide it under the glass. The other major problem is obviously lack of gull wing. I decided to check if I can do something about it. Using rotary tool and sandpaper and copious amounts of putty and surfacer plus actual forcibly bending the plastic parts I managed to get some promising results. During this process I learned changed shapes interfere with cockpit floor. This plus the fact that this "flat" part has no panel lines (despite model having very nice panel detail overall) got me thinking and I believe this may be actual reason why they flattened this piece - they could have discovered that there is a problem when building test shots and at this point the only way to make body buildable was to carve into mould to flatten it. At some point (I have this model for a long time so box was opened numerous times) I managed to lose kit spinner so I fitted Rotol prop from Airfix. Is it acceptable? If the shape is bad I may print new one as I got the files when building Malta Spitfire.

Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MH 712 "Pat" from 302 (Polish) Squadron during its operations in France after Overlord (summer 1944). I painted this Spitfire last autumn and since then it was waiting for weathering and some final detail. Finally some two weeks ago I sat down and painted scratches, worn paint and exhaust residue as per photos and some dust and streaking. She was painted with paints suggested here - it is a mix of humbrol, revell and Vallejo acrylics. I consider it done, Photos are a bit washed out but the weather is not really photo friendly lately. WIP thread: here

Like https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/profile/29912-robstopper/ I too have recently acquired an airbrush (a Neoeco) and, like him, I wanted something to practice on and went for the same kit. Didn't want to invest in any extras for what should be a painting exercise so going with the scheme on the box.

ok here we go..... This is the version i'm going to do - as now restored at Duxford. No 3rd Party Items just things i had knocking around at home ... like the odd bit of wire Later found out that the IFF? tranmitter should not be there? oh well its there now! First time using photo eched parts ...interesting Just taped in place.... the fit is just great on this kit! Another day another few bits of primer... Mr Surfacer 1500 naturally Same bits detail painted Cut the tail elevators to droop a little. All orifices filled - ready for a coat of Tamiya Surfacer. The undercarriage covering panels are just blue tacked in place ... i thought better than having two undercarrige stalks poking out in the way. Never used Tamiya Surface Primer before .... lets see! Seems Ok... Its bought out some details i had not even seen before Thats it for now.....

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop, EP706 'T-L', Plt Off. George 'Scewball' Beurling, 249 Squadron, Ta Qali, Malta, October 1942. This is my latest build in my Malta themed series, George Beurling's 249 Squadron Spitfire Vb. Subject; Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop, x2 .20mm Hispano Suiza cannons and x4 .303 Browning's. Manufacturer; Eduard Profipack Scale; 1/48 Kit number; 82156 Aftermarket; Aero Master decals, the Vokes filter was kindly supplied by a friend as not included in this boxing. Paint; Exterior, upper, AK Real Colour RAF Middle Stone and Dark Earth overpainted with custom mix of RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey and XF8 Flat Blue. Lower, mix of XF23 Light Blue, XF19 Sky Grey and XF2 Flat White. Interior AK Real Colour RAF Interior Grey Green and Xtreme Metal Aluminium. LP5 Semi-Gloss Black and LP65 Rubber Black. Xtreme Metal Burnt Metal and Gunmetal. Various Tamiya X and XF and Posca pens for detailing. Primer; Mr Surfacer 1200 Varnish; AK Gauzy Shine Agent and Tamiya X35. Weathering; Flory Dark Dirt and Grime wash, Abteilung oils, Ammo North Africa pigment and Tamiya weathering palettes. Extras; Prym Knitting Elastic for the antenna wires.

Greetings to all, as this is actually my first build in a long long time ( started at 6 y.o. stopped at 12 due to school ), I'd like to thank you for accepting me in the group and I'm happy to share with you my efforts in building an iconic spitfire , its nothing compared to what I see here but, it's a start! By now I'm 24 and finally have the time to enjoy perhaps one of the best hobbies in the world as I have already managed to create a respectable stash. I tried to improve the frames by drilling the holes , I avoided any kind of wires running through , although I do regret it now.. All comments / criticism / tips are more than welcome!

On another post, like so many I've seen here in the past, the crowbar on a Spitfire was painted red. No I understand from everyone on this fine site, there is no such thing as a red crowbar. But, it got me thinking, what is the origination of this idea of the red crowbar. How did this develop? I know this is not a burning question for most, but it has piqued my curiosity. Any takers?

The two latest Wingleader Volumes, with the Spitfire book by Kotare's own Richard Alexander. Super close up detail and feature you might have heard of. Station keeping lights and Signal dischargers on the Spit, waist guns on a Halifax? Pop over to the website for sample pages. Bookshop - Wingleader.co.uk/shop/

.... and we're off. My wife ( blessed be her name) bought me this for my (hrrmph) birthday. It's taken me nearly two months to get started. (I blame the distractions involved in moving from Brazil to Canada). But now here we go. I've completed page 1 of the 44 page instruction booklet in a day and a half - that means I should be finished sometime around christmas....😮 It'll be the RCAF Ian Keltie City of Winnipeg version. I've previously built the 1/24 Typhoon, which judging from other posts, seems to be a pre-requisite for doing this.!🤣

Hello everyone, I’d like to share my completed Spitfire Mk.XII from Airfix in 1/48. This was an ok kit, there were some big gaps to fill and the detail was really lacking in the cockpit which I enhanced with a Eduard PE set. Those with a keen eye will see both ailerons are down which I have since found out was a chargeable offence for a parked aircraft back in the day. The weathering may not be to everyone’s taste but I’m happy with it. Thanks for looking, Tom

Hi folks. It repeatedly occured to me, as the build wound down through the closing stages, that the mid-production 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Ia from Kōtare was the kit I'd enjoyed most from about eight years old to pushing 65 now. The 'why' is explained through my 1957 Leica M3 double stroke. It's a film camera that 'gets out of the way' of the photographer and the photographic process and just lets you see and snag images with ease. The Kōtare kit, through its engineering, incredible precision and design philosophy, also 'gets out of the way' and leaves you free to enjoy the process of modelling. At least that was my experience. The only seams that require filling and smoothing are the wing leading edges, lower rear fuselage and forward fin. The upper rear fuselage piece preserves all the dome headed rivet detail and does away with the need for a seam. Just one example of the conspicuous effort Kōtare have expended on making the model a straightforward pleasure. Inside the box is a kit that shakes the tree in terms of commonly believed Spitfire lore and for some Kōtare's conclusions will be a bridge too far but as they make clear in the build guide - that's ok. I was happy to go with their steer start to finish, including the blue-ish codes. Biggin Hill's just up the road from me, so the 610 Squadron option was the preferred choice. Happy days. Steve

Hi all, Trying something new with this tried and tested Hobby Boss kit of the tropicalised Spitfire Vb. This model is intended to complement the 1/32 Spitfire Vc I'm also planning to build over the winter! The box! Nice artwork of Wg Cdr Ian Gleed's clipped and cropped Vb with the Aboukir filter. My intention is to build it with an interchangeable nose section so I can swap out the exposed full engine nose for the streamlined covered version using magnets. Quite ambitious, but technically possible! I'll be building it as AB502, Ian Gleed's Vb of 244 Wing. All the best, Alan