Search the Community

I'm currently modelling subjects used by U.S. forces, and that means I'm going to need some kits of specific British-built aircraft. A fresh order of decals has prompted me to look more closely at the Spitfire Mark Vb. I really only know the basics about Spits and even less regarding the available 1/72 representations. Although due diligence demanded some basic research in this department before starting a new topic, digesting the available information can be likened to drinking from a fire hose. Please forgive me restating this question directly as I'm sure the topic is old hat for the bona fide afficionado. From what I've been able to glean, the Tamiya kit goes together well but has some shape issues (though no reviewer in my quick survey seems to state precisely what these issues are) and the Italeri kit is good WRT to shape, but doesn't go together so well. I like the newest generation of Airfix kits, but apparently their Mk. Vb is an older issue? Do the latest small-run kits from eastern Europe stack up well? I appreciate any light to be shed, and again, I apologise if this seems an oblivious inquiry.

Hi, I would like to show you my latest build, inspired by the unique camo of the planes of 331st "Norvegian" squadron. I've managed to complete it in 1,5 months. I've used these aftermarket stuff: - Eduard Zoom photo echted parts - Quickboost seat (harness part had to be modified to be realistic) - Quickboost Exhausts - Quickboost Gunsight Additional enhancements: - riveting - scratch cockpit components, wirings I've painted the model with Tamiya paints, using the XF-81, XF-82 and XF-83 set. All markings were painted with custom masks More WIP photos: http://www.makett.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=5137 Thanks of watching!

Hello folks. It's time for a mojo restoring, refreshing build. Pleae indulge me in a little background. Last year I started no less than 13 models, some made it to unfinished WIP threads here on BritModeller, some just quietly made it to my 'pending' pile. A couple made it to my 'DoD' zone, the Drawer of Doom . Yours truly found himself mainly bed-bound for the latter half of 2016, attempts to builld from the bed failed. Then, the old health thing improved a bit and kit building looked a distinct possibility. Yay . Then Mrs. T was offered a really nice, spangly new job nearly 1300km away from our old location (around 800 miles), so everything had to be packed in boxes. Hurrah for the job! Boo for having to pack the stash, paints, tools, compressor and all the best things in life away, not to be seen for a good 9 weeks . By a feat of complete, yet fortunate error, the removal company brought my bench/desk (worth AUD $40 secondhand) and forgot our washing machine (worth $800). Although this upset Mrs. T, the way I quietly internalised this was; our society has communal washing facilities known as 'launderettes', but it's pretty tricky to find communal plastic model making facilities . The desk was duly installed in my (after much wangling and negotiation) newly designated 'office and modelling area'. Or, to you and I, simply: 'Mancave' . Then the boxes arrived and had to be unpacked. By the start of this week, the whole move having begun on the 21st of December 2016, the Mancave looked like an explosion in a mattress factory. Before the boxes arrived, quite promising: After? Oh dear. Oh deary me . I needed something to motivate me to unearth my iMac, to clear the huge pile of and to create space to build, study, return to calm. I posted words to this effect here on BM and asked if people had requests for a model from the pile. Many ideas were bandied around. Thankfully, a few kind souls suggested a nice calming Spitfire build. So a Spitfire it is. This has enthused me so much over the last 24 hours, that substantial inroads have been made into clearance of the desk. Here it is today: Nearly there . I decided upon a Tamiya 1/72 Spitfire. It’s been in my stash a long time. When I originally bought it, it had quite good reviews (around 10 years ago). Now it seems less in favour. Many manufacturers have released Mk. Vb's. Neverthless, although I have kits by AZ, KP, Sword and so on, I'm going to give this Tamiya one a go. This is simply on reputation and hearsay. I have to admit that this is only the second Tamiya model I’ve ever tried ! The first was a Tiger tank in 1:35 scale...41 years ago! The aircraft kits have a reputation for going together well. That's what I'm hoping for, so that I can finally complete something . The kit includes transfers and schemes for four aircraft. It's a well known kit, so I'll put a link here to scalemates for those that would like know a bit more about it: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/121600-tamiya-60756-supermarine-spitfire-mk-vb-vb-trop Meanwhile, here is a picture of mine, as I found it, when originally dragged out of the pile: I felt like doing a different scheme to the ones in the box, so decided a scout through my 'decal stash' box would be fun. Nevertheless I got an interesting surprise when I opened the box: 'Past me' obviously had plans to make a Jan Zumbach Spitfire, one of the famous Donald Duck adorned RF-D aircraft. I’d placed a set of Techmod transfers in there at some point: Nice. I like Polish aircraft, I like many Polish things, having worked there a little during the mid 1990's. Krakow is one of my favourite cities on the planet . Nevertheless, these aircraft of Jan Zumbach are all over the internet, modelled many times. I thought maybe I should try something different. The decal stash offered up two (identical) sets of Aeromaster US Spitfires: and a set by MPD for the history of Stanisław Skalski, including this desert camouflage Spitfire Mk. Vb: and this U.K. based aircraft: This has rather clinched it for me. I am a big enthusiast in relation to General Skalski https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisław_Skalski and this scheme is a little less made/modelled than many other of his aircraft (or so it appears by internet search). This is only the second Spitfire Mk. Vb. I’ve ever attempted, the other being a Heller kit a couple of years ago (nice kit ). I really haven't made many Spitfires at all (crazy isn't it!!??). I've recently been inspired by the superb builds by @Procopius, @Cookenbacher, @Beard and @CedB to name but a few. I really know so little about Spitfires. I can't find any photographs of this specific aircraft. If anyone could point me to where to find some I would really appreciate it. Also, as appeared to be the case with the last scheme in the Techmod set (BF-M: some references show very small fuselage roundels), if there are any controversies with the scheme MPD propose for JH-Q, I would be really grateful if you could let me know. Tomorrow, hopefully a clear bench and some plastic fettling. It's my birthday on Sunday the 5th. Mrs. T has bought the movie ‘633 Squadron’ for me, on Bluray. My birthday will be perfect if it includes fettling my first model in around half a year, a Spifire at that, and watching that fantastic film. A wee tot of Lagavulin would be a nice touch too . Thanks for reading this big opening section folks, all comments welcome. Have a great weekend, TonyT