First RFI: Airfix Spitfire Mk I 1/72

[jrlx]

Dear fellow modellers,

I've recently signed up, after several months reading and learning here at Britmodeller. My introduction post can be found here.

This is my first RFI post. It's the Airfix Spitfire Mk I 1/72. It was my first model after returning to the hobby and served as a "guinea pig" for my learning of all essential modelling techniques. I did it from 1 July to 9 October 2014. In parallel, I started working on a Revell Hurricane Mk IIc 1/72 (which I concluded shortly after - I'll also post it in the RFI area) and also on an Airfix Grumman Duck (which I only managed to finish by the end of January 2015 - I'll also post it as RFI).

Here are the pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since this was my first attempt, it isn't perfect. In fact, I did a lot of mistakes and had to paint most of the aircraft two or three times. In the end, the canopy didn't fit and I had to file it.

Some notes on the techniques used:

• mostly OOB, only added seat belts made fromTamiya tape and antenna wire made from elastic fishing line (painted with a black marker)
• drilled holes on the exhaust tubes using a 0.3 mm manual mini-drill
• primed with Tamiya XF-19 sky gray
• pre-shaded with Tamyia flat black acrylic XF-1
• masking for the upper camouflage used blu-tack "worms" plus a combination of Tamyia tape and kitchen cling film (I try to minimize using tape to avoid paint peeling)
• Mostly painted with Gunze Aquous paints. Flat black was Tamyia acrylic XF-1.
• Microscale Micro Gloss applied before and after decaling. Used Microscale Micro Set and Micro Sol for decaling. The decals where a bit thick and I ripped some when trying to make them conform to the deep panel lines.
• Brown wash from Vallejo acrylic line of washes. It was a sludge wash followed by wiping with a moistened swab after 15 min drying time.
• Chipping of worn areas simulated by dry brushing with silver paint. Not the best option because there wasn't much surface relief for the paint to adhere to. But, on the other hand, the effect is very subtle.
• Microscale Micro Flat applied after wash and chipping
• Vallejo pigments used for mud and dirty marks on the undersurfaces, tail wheel and in the main gear legs, wheels, doors and wells. Mixed with flat varnish, resulting in a very mud-like appearance.
• Vallejo pigments used for exhaust stains and machine gun stains. For the first application I mixed the pigments with flat varnish and didn't work well (seemed like black paint). I had to remove this mess and reapply the dry pigments with a paintbrush, rubbing the pigments on the fuselage and wings. This resulted much better.
• The pigments were fixed in place with Micro Set.

Please let me know what you think. As a first attempt I was pleased enough with the results. The main purpose was learning modeling techniques and this I did achieve. The following models where more perfect than this one, I believe.

Thanks for looking.

Jaime

[Danyel]

it is really lovely. you've done a great job.

[Stew Dapple]

Nice job Jaime

I'm not sure of the value of pre-shading on small scale aircraft, it's not something I would bother with myself but since your object was to practice the techniques I can understand why you did it - in any case the end result speaks for itself, it's a great-looking Spitfire.

If I might offer one very small criticism; the yellow propeller tips are a bit big, I think they were supposed to be four inches in real life which I think equates to about 2mm in 1/72 - probably no-one else would notice and I feel sort of ashamed that I did

Well done, and well done for posting your results too, i's a bit intimidating the first time you do it, but it's worth it

Cheers,

Stew

[06/24]

That's very nicely done. The first time is always the most nerve-wracking! If I can offer one, hopefully constructive, suggestion it would be to give it a final flat/Matt coat, it looks a little shiney. However, like Stew, I feel bad for suggesting it, and it's all a matter of personal taste anyway.

What I will say is welcome to the Spitfire club, you can't go wrong with them on here!

The Duck sounds interesting too...

[doozer1974]

A very nice way to join the forum - good job. Looks to me like you've got a good touch, look forward to seeing more.

[CedB]

Jaime that's a great first post and a lovely model - you are right to be pleased with it!

I'm a recent returner too and, as you'll see from my WiP threads, still making mistakes but enjoying myself (mostly!).

Your problem with the decals (or transfers) may have been caused by handling them after applying the MicroSol - it's designed to settle the decals by softening them and it makes them fragile until it's dried (overnight). I posted some tips on MicroSet/Sol here.

Looking forward to seeing more posts and don't be afraid to share your problems - BMers are very helpful I've found.

[HL-10]

Great work on the little Spitfire

[Mitch K]

Super bit of work there.

[GREG DESTEC]

Great job. A real looker! I look forward to seeing your Hurricane and the "Duck".

[JimHead23]

Really nice work on the Spitfire. There are so many nice people on this site who can offer you great advise that it can ony improve you knowledge and skill.

I might even get around to finished and posting myself one day!

[Spitfire31]

That's a very respectable comeback –congratulations on an excellent Spitfire!

Stew already mentioned the over large yellow prop tips. As for the slightly shiny appearance, a fellow Britmodeller recommended Winsor & Newton Galaria acrylic matt varnish, diluted with isopropyl alcohol in a ratio 40/60, as the ultimate 'mattifier'. I haven't tried it yet but I will.

Looking forward to more models from your workbench!

Kind regards,

Joachim

[wellsprop]

Now that is one superb looking Spitfire!

Ben

[jhutchi]

Great work on an iconic kit. As I've said before - you can never have too many Spitfires

[David H]

Hi Jaime,

I think its a great first effort for your return to the hobby. I looked over most of the other comments that others have posted and agree with them.

The Airfix Spitfire was one of their earlier efforts with recessed panel lines, and as they come in the kit IMHO they're a bit overdone. If you decide to build another one, i'd suggest priming the model, then wet sanding it back down to bare plastic, which i think will fill in the panel lines somewhat and make them less obtrusive. Another advantages is the microscopic scratches in the finish will make the paint adhere to the model better, plus its a second chance to catch and seam/ joint issues that might have been missed earlier in construction. Deep panel lines with a wash color that has too much contrast makes the model look like….well, a Corgi Die Cast.

I'm not a fan of pre-shading, but thats an artistic decision. If you're interested, Roy Sutherland did a good tutorial on paint schemes with a Hasegawa Spitfire he built some years ago….http://barracudacals.blogspot.com/2010/04/spitfire-hf-vii-in-172-part-3-of-5.html

In terms of the overall finish, i agree with others that its a bit too glossy, which also makes the whole model look a bit on the dark side. There are many different choices out there for a clear flat finish, but my finish of choice is to add Tamiya Flat Base to Johnson's Kleer (AKA Future, or Pledge with Future Shine). This combination is cheap and allows you to vary the glossiness or flatness of a surface to a great degree.

None of this though is meant to take away from what is a good first effort. Keep on going. Looking forward to the next one.

Ooh Rah!!

david

[stevej60]

I will echo everyone else,s sentiments,great job no such thing as too many Spitfire,s!

[jrlx]

Thank you all for your warm welcome and kind words. You're really a bunch of supportive people

I'm not sure of the value of pre-shading on small scale aircraft, it's not something I would bother with myself but since your object was to practice the techniques I can understand why you did it - in any case the end result speaks for itself, it's a great-looking Spitfire.

If I might offer one very small criticism; the yellow propeller tips are a bit big, I think they were supposed to be four inches in real life which I think equates to about 2mm in 1/72 - probably no-one else would notice and I feel sort of ashamed that I did

Stew: thanks a lot for your opinions and please don't feel ashamed for suggesting improvements or pointing out errors. I really appreciate the time you took for posting your views.

Regarding pre-shading, my experience up to now is that it really only works under light colours, typically the undersides of aircraft.

Thanks for the info on the yellow tips. I'll take it into account in my current Spitfire Mk XIV and future builds.

If I can offer one, hopefully constructive, suggestion it would be to give it a final flat/Matt coat, it looks a little shiney. However, like Stew, I feel bad for suggesting it, and it's all a matter of personal taste anyway.

What I will say is welcome to the Spitfire club, you can't go wrong with them on here!

The Duck sounds interesting too...

AM: in fact I applied a Micro Flat coat but it seems a bit shinier than my Hurri (same flat finish product - see my second post here). In other models I've found Micro Flat to be a bit "hit or miss". It seems it must be really well shaken before application in order to produce an acceptable flat finish. And please, don't feel bad about pointing that out. I'm really glad to hear about yours and the others' opinions and suggestions!

Regarding Spitfires, yes: I'm currently finishing the Academy Mk XIV in D-Day guise (I'll post about it soon) and have a few more in my stash

The Duck will be posted soon too!

Your problem with the decals (or transfers) may have been caused by handling them after applying the MicroSol - it's designed to settle the decals by softening them and it makes them fragile until it's dried (overnight). I posted some tips on MicroSet/Sol here.

CedB: you're right - I was too eager to make the decals conform to the surfaces and panel lines and touched them too soon. Thanks for your link, that's exactly my technique for decals, but I've grown more patient in the meantime

Stew already mentioned the over large yellow prop tips. As for the slightly shiny appearance, a fellow Britmodeller recommended Winsor & Newton Galaria acrylic matt varnish, diluted with isopropyl alcohol in a ratio 40/60, as the ultimate 'mattifier'. I haven't tried it yet but I will.

Joachim: thanks for the kind words. I'll take note of your recommendation. I'll look for it in a Arts shop and give it a try.

The Airfix Spitfire was one of their earlier efforts with recessed panel lines, and as they come in the kit IMHO they're a bit overdone. If you decide to build another one, i'd suggest priming the model, then wet sanding it back down to bare plastic, which i think will fill in the panel lines somewhat and make them less obtrusive. Another advantages is the microscopic scratches in the finish will make the paint adhere to the model better, plus its a second chance to catch and seam/ joint issues that might have been missed earlier in construction. Deep panel lines with a wash color that has too much contrast makes the model look like….well, a Corgi Die Cast.

I'm not a fan of pre-shading, but thats an artistic decision. If you're interested, Roy Sutherland did a good tutorial on paint schemes with a Hasegawa Spitfire he built some years ago….http://barracudacals.blogspot.com/2010/04/spitfire-hf-vii-in-172-part-3-of-5.html

In terms of the overall finish, i agree with others that its a bit too glossy, which also makes the whole model look a bit on the dark side. There are many different choices out there for a clear flat finish, but my finish of choice is to add Tamiya Flat Base to Johnson's Kleer (AKA Future, or Pledge with Future Shine). This combination is cheap and allows you to vary the glossiness or flatness of a surface to a great degree.

David: thanks for your kind words and suggestions. I'll take good note of them.

[James G]

Very well done indeed!

[Val]

A stunning little spit, top work and a fantastic debut.

[Knight_Flyer]

I think it's a very good effort for a first time, certainly a lot better than my first model on returning to the hobby. The big yellow propeller tips are a bit noticeable otherwise it is a fine looking model - well done.

[Luis Alfonso]

Hi Jaime!!!

Congratullations!!!

I have seen your nice job and was having a delight looking your nice build. Like a huge lot the way you have done the finish and weathering, and in all,all the road to have a nice model as you did.

Thank you very much for sharing,

Cheers,

Luis Alfonso

[jrlx]

Luis, thanks for your appreciation. I'm glad you liked it. As a first model, this was a testbed for all the main modelling techniques and Iearned a lot.

[Fatboydim]

Great little Spitfire. It turned out very well. Looking good for your Battle of Britian builds you have planned. Well done, Joe

[jrlx]

Thanks Joe, your supportive words are always very welcome