rob85 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Hi all, I normally do 1/72 builds but I would like to do a spitfire for my kids ceiling. They both love spitfire's it's their (and my) favorite AC. My daughter also really likes the little but poor malta spit I did and my wife does not want a "big black angel of death" (I think she may be referring to my lancaster) up there (so no phantom of the rhur). Anyway, I would like to do a malta AC as they all approve of the spit and the scheme. I was hoping to do a mk5 b/c but bit lost on the best kit as I have never built in this scale so don't want to end up getting something I can't tame. I have some ideas on the scheme as I am, as I know a lot of you all are, a massive fan of the malta and north Africa campaigns and all the amazingly brave chaps that won it. However please feel free to recommend any that you are fond of.... I know the whole malta spit is a bit of a cliché but I just find them captivating and if it means I get a plane up on the ceiling instead of hidden on my shelf then all the better Cheers as ever Rob 1
davidelvy Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 The new Airfix kit is probably the best available and has a picture of a Malta aircraft on the box.
Vonbraun Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) The Airfix Vb is a masterpiece, checkout this review: http://www.hyperscale.com/2014/reviews/kits/airfix05125reviewbg_1.htm Edited February 1, 2015 by Vonbraun
rob85 Posted February 1, 2015 Author Posted February 1, 2015 I have put this one as my first though as it has all that I need really but didn't know about the malta defender's kit from special hobby which is a VC and has the markings I was looking at (as ever never the easy option as I would like the Vb from airfix but would need to change it to use the marking I like!) Rob
Fernando Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Hi, Rob, The SH kit has the fundamental accuracy issue of the position of the wing in relation to the cockpit: it is too far to the rear. Lots of threads on that one, some even with tell-tale pictures. The visual effect is that of a slightly fatty, shorty Spit. If you are not concerned about that, it should be said that it is not the easiest kit to build, but can be done. Fernando
chilling Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 I'm just finishing up an Airfix Vb Trop. It's a very nice build with one exception. Fitting the landing gear in the down position is poorly designed, you have to glue a flat half cut joint together whilst satisfying the 93° angle in one direction and 77° angle in another, there is no guide for you within the construction of the kit so it is a bit hit and miss. Why they couldn't make it so you slotted a rod into a hole that was 'pointing' in the correct direction I don't know. From the sounds of it you'll have gear up anyway so this shouldn't trouble you. I would thoroughly recommend the Airfix one though, even with that little niggle.
NPL Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 I have put this one as my first though as it has all that I need really but didn't know about the malta defender's kit from special hobby which is a VC and has the markings I was looking at (as ever never the easy option as I would like the Vb from airfix but would need to change it to use the marking I like!) Rob Airfix Mk.Vb + an Alley Cat c wing produced to fit the new Airfix Mk.Vb
Troy Smith Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 If this is going to be hung from a ceiling, Hi all,I normally do 1/72 builds but I would like to do a spitfire for my kids ceiling. They both love spitfire's it's their (and my) favorite AC. My daughter also really likes the little but poor malta spit I did and my wife does not want a "big black angel of death" (I think she may be referring to my lancaster) up there (so no phantom of the rhur).Anyway, I would like to do a malta AC as they all approve of the spit and the scheme. I was hoping to do a mk5 b/c but bit lost on the best kit as I have never built in this scale so don't want to end up getting something I can't tame May I suggest for it's intended purpose you get the Tamiya VB, which has a few shape errors, benefits from a being pretty much 'shake and bake' with almost impossible to botch fit and engineering. or, the OLD Airfix VB, which should be available cheap if you look, and is a simple kit with a gear up option. It was tooled in 1978, the rudder/elevators are a bit thick, and the thrust line too high, has fine raised panel lines, but unlike the Tamiya VB, does not look like it overate during xmas and would look great from a celing The NEW VB is excellent but needs to be assembled very carefully, or more precisely, prepared carefully, as small sprue nibs can easily throw off alignments. As for the VC, do you really need to do a VC? maybe easier to just pick a VB scheme, or don't worry, and just get rid of the lower wing cannon bulge and build a VB as a VC, again.given it's intended purpose. as for schemes http://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/pages/Reviews/acft%20kit/SH48051SpitVc.html some Malta schemes can be easily done with spare or leftover decals, or, when you hit 100 posts, ask nicely in the 'wanted' forum http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/forum/40-wanted/ someone will probably have some spare decals and will send them for the cost of a stamp, or even just send them it's a friendly place full of like mind helpful folk. The options of the Special Hobby kit, is tricky, has some faults, and converting a VB with a reasonably expensive resin conversion are maybe more than a ceiling model would warrant. Finally, you could keep an eye out for one a cheap 1/24th Airfix VB kit, they end up being sold off in sales in odd places, like Debenhams, for £20-25, and that really would look impressive hanging up. It's an old kit, the basic Mk I dates to 1970 or so, but it's very well shaped. No tropical filter though.
AWFK10 Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 I've never had the 1/24th Spit but Woody's build here indicates that it does include a Vokes filter.
Work In Progress Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Troy speaks wisely. For something to hang from a kid's ceiling, the old Airfix Vb built straight out of the box is the most cost-effective tool for the job, and the Tamiya is the lowest-effort one.
John Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Airfix are doing a really good clearance price for the old Spitfire Vb/Bf109F Dogfight Double: http://www.airfix.com/shop/last-chance-to-buy-collection/messerschmitt-bf109f-4-and-supermarine-spitfire-mkvb-dogfight-doubles-gift-set-1-48.html John
Troy Smith Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Troy speaks wisely. For something to hang from a kid's ceiling, the old Airfix Vb built straight out of the box is the most cost-effective tool for the job, and the Tamiya is the lowest-effort one. Airfix are doing a really good clearance price for the old Spitfire Vb/Bf109F Dogfight Double: http://www.airfix.com/shop/last-chance-to-buy-collection/messerschmitt-bf109f-4-and-supermarine-spitfire-mkvb-dogfight-doubles-gift-set-1-48.html John Out of stock, and £24.99 isn't cheap. cheap is under £5 for the Airifx, or £10 for the Tamiya. Rob, when you hit 100 posts ask in the Wanted section, as I can guarantee that both these kits are in stashes, and have now been made 'obsolete' with the new Airfix VB, so will be offered. I know I have a couple of Airfix VB's.... You could then ask for spare SH decals too, as that had 4 options.
Work In Progress Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 A fiver for the old Airfix kit seems fair enough to me.
John Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Out of stock, and £24.99 isn't cheap. cheap is under £5 for the Airifx, or £10 for the Tamiya. Rob, when you hit 100 posts ask in the Wanted section, as I can guarantee that both these kits are in stashes, and have now been made 'obsolete' with the new Airfix VB, so will be offered. I know I have a couple of Airfix VB's.... You could then ask for spare SH decals too, as that had 4 options. It was £11.99 when I posted the link - not bad for the 2 kits plus ancillaries. It seems to have sold out pretty fast. J
Work In Progress Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 If you looked at it a month or so back when the sale was on it might have been cached like that in your web browser.
John Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 It was on sale earlier today - on 2 separate pcs! J
rob85 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Posted February 2, 2015 Guys your smashing and troy thank you for the Pm. Great point made about the old vb tool, would not have thought about it. I have some on watch now as well as special hobby decals. I will be checking where my posts are at for the wanted section as well. 1/24 sounds very impressive but maybe beyond my brush painting skills. Well I have a lot to look at, any further thoughts please let me know as its always very much appreciated Thanks as always Rob
Work In Progress Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 I will be checking where my posts are at for the wanted section Only two more needed at time of posting this...
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