SoftScience Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hello everyone, For this group build I plan on using some less-then-stellar kits and try to build decent and exciting models out of them. For my first entry, I'll be building the classic, and much beloved, Airfix Spitfire in 1/72. This build will be entirely out of the box with the exception of a clear Airfix stand that I pulled out from an ancient boxing of the Fiery Battle, and a rearview mirror that I'll have to fashion from scraps. I've been harping about how difficult manufacturers make it to build in-flight models, so it would be a sin to pass up this oppertunity provided by Airfix. The kit includes a figure, and parts to build the gear up with ease. But you all probably know this, as every self-respecting aircraft modeler should have built this kit (this is perhaps my 6th or 7th go around). Here she is taped together and test-fitted on the stand. The "interior" has already been glued and painted, and the pilot can be seen patiently waiting in the background for his mount. I decided to recapture some youthful moments and popped in the BoB DVD while I painted Johnny Pilot. This is just too much fun! Since this photo was taken I glued together the fuselage and applied a little bit of putty on the top-forward seem. The rest fits like a glove. I fully expect to have this model finished in a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Nice work so far! Nice to see an in flight Spitfire! Azgaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 to the groupbuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Nice start, nostalgia or what? Built several over the years and each one was just a little better than the previous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Looks good so far.I built a couple as a kid and i am enjoying watching your build with an air of nostalgia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted September 6, 2008 Author Share Posted September 6, 2008 (edited) Thanks all. Nostalgia indeed. Although last time I built one of these I didn't have an airbrush, but that's a trip down memory lane that I don't wish to take. anyhow, here is the spit with some paint on it. I tried to convey some sense of shade and heterogeneity in color by first undercoating with black and then building up the subsequent colors the effect is so faint as to be invisible. ALMOST. There is just a hint of color change which can be perceived, but I can't catch it with the camera. I think I'll add a very light wash as well. Not sure yet. What are everyone's thoughts on that? Edited September 6, 2008 by SoftScience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwkennard Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Hey man sweet looking build so far! How the heck do you get such a neat paint job on a 1/72 aeroplane? Very impressive! A Spitfire always looks best in flight!! Thanks for sharing. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laidlaw Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Beautiful airbrush work - what paint/brush were you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Very nice camo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Sure looks good so far ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Now thats a nice start to your BoB GB entry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted September 6, 2008 Author Share Posted September 6, 2008 Thank you everyone. This was painted with a Paasche VL airbrush, Polly Scale paints, and a lot of poster-putty and paper towel for masking. Polly Scale paints are not as good as they used to be; but they still airbrush on very well using my build-up method, because they're so thin. It is not as perfect as it looks in the photograph, but it'll do in a pinch. I hope to have the decals and final bits on before Sunday ends. Hey John Laidlaw, where in Milwaukee are you? I'm on the east-side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Well guys and gals, The spitfire is essentially done. I still want to fashion a rearview mirror and take better photographs, but I won't have time for either until the weekend probably, so these will have to do for the time being Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 That Spitfire turned out very nice! Well done sir! :cheers, Azgaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Nice clean build of a classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Brilliant work - I especially like the subtle gunsmoke on the underside. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 A well done job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebos Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Great result! Never enough in flight models done I feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 A nice looking Spit. Those old clear plastic stands were very good for displaying in flight models.I wish they still did them.I used to make a lot of my models wheels up,when i was a kid.I made about 6 of this kit.Some displayed and some lost in action in my war campaign against the kid next door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Thanks, I'm glad you folks like it Tizzy, I've lost a few of these in childhood campaigns myself. They don't do well when flung full force at Lego buildings. Or when set on fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Lovely work on the model mate, but thanks are due to you for making me have to look up "heterogeneity" You learn something every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim B Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Nice to see one in flight and looks great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks everyone. Troffa, thats one of those words that always gets tossed around in the lab here all of the time, so I fall back on it when I forget the more common synonyms like "different" Earlier this summer a co-worker of mine had to referto un-tall grass, because he forgot the word for short. It happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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