My first Spitfires in... a looong time...

[Nocoolname]

Hi folks!

It’s been a long time since I logged into this site, a lot of ‘life’ happening between my last post and now, but this is my first post covering my own works in progress since my recent (stuttering) attempts to take up the hobby again, so please be gentle . The main post below is of my first aircraft models since 1988, which are also my first using a detail airbrush for both camo and for weathering (my first attempts at pre-shading, post-shading, salting, washes etc), my first using acrylics and my first using off the shelf PE. I think they’re also probably my first Spitfires since about 1980 (back then it was 1/72 airfix kit that cost 30p and came in a bag!). The models are a couple of 1/48 kits from Airfix that I managed to get hold of on the cheap. One is a MK I which will be built as the early two bladed prop version, the other a MK Va which will be built as a later coloured MK II. I primarily bought them to practice on. To try and re-learn skills and techniques I used to take for granted over 25 years ago (ouch!) while trying to develop new skills and techniques such as those mentioned above. As you can see from the pictures, I’ve managed a start with the interior which I am ‘reasonably’ happy with. I need to redo the seats and have a go at washing the interior next. As mentioned, these kits were only intended as ‘practice’ for the more ambitious projects I have in mind so I wasn’t aiming for historical accuracy or anything, just something that would be pleasing to my eye while providing as enjoyable a build as possible. I’m hoping to really do justice to the Spitfire at a later date as my skills improve, with a couple of Tamiya’s and an Eduard kit. In the meantime the most immediate beneficiary to what I have learned from the builds so far will be my Space 1999 project. This involves a couple of Eagles from Space 1999 that I have custom built. Details can be seen in my thread in the Sci-Fi forum. The Eagles are 3^rd and 4^th models I’ve created since taking up the hobby again. The Spitfires above will be numbers 5 and 6 respectively. Fingers crossed they work out ok.

[Tempestwulf]

Solid start on the perfect solid kit mate. I'd be and I'm sure many would be happy with your work on the cockpits so far. good thing about Airfix is they're dependable and forgiving so keep it up and we look forward to further updated c:

[Janremco]

Nice work on the cockpits. I restarted the hobby last year and started with a Airfix Spitfire as well.

I'm looking forward for the updates on this project.

[Nocoolname]

Cheers folks!

I've recently started experimenting with washes for the cockpit, using the dark dirt wash rather than black. My first use of clay based washes and I'm finding it quite tricky so far. Mostly when it comes to removing the wash. The issue is trying to remove the right amount of excess so that just enough remains on the kit to bring out the detail. Tissue didn't work, too large to deal with the nooks and crannies. Cotton buds didn't work either, took too much off and like tissue, simply couldn't reach into key areas. So now I'm experimenting with an old paint brush trimmed right down to a stub. This provides a firmer edge than the above while still small enough to reach detail areas. 'So far' it seems to be working out ok. So far. Only part way through the ribs on one side of cockpit. It's very slow work. About the equivalent time and effort to detailing with a 10/0 brush. Hopefully I can post updated pictures soon but in the meantime I would welcome any tips or advice you might have. Cheers for now.