tonyot Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 (edited) Hiya Folks, While researching schemes for an Eduard Spitfire Mk.IX, I came across this aircraft from 328 Sqn/ GC.1/7 Provence of the Free French Air Force and realising that it was one of the decal options in an Airfix Spitfire IX kit in the stash,.... I decided to have a bash at building the Airfix kit as it is quite a simple build. Here is the real thing; Spitfire-MkIX-RAF-328Sqn-GC1.7-MA574-North-Africa-1944-01 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Looks like the fuselage roundel has a yellow outline,.... which is missing from the Airfix kit decals? I don`t think that it is the outline of a painted out previous roundel. Here are the Airfix paint instructions and decals; DSCF4115 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Here is the box art; DSCF4114 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Here are the parts; DSCF4116 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4117 by Tony OToole, on Flickr And I`ve started to pre paint the interior; DSCF4118 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Cheers Tony Edited July 1, 2018 by tonyot 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 Good evening Tony Thank you for building a French Spitfire enjoy your build .. Best regards Patrice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtarget Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 Nice one Tony, i have this kit and boxing so be interesting to see how this develops. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 There's just no stopping you is there Tony? Another great choice, I do like the combination of French markings and the RAF desert camouflage scheme, I would like to have a go at this is 1/48 using the Eduard kit in the future, assuming I can find the decals. Looking forward to the end result, probably by the weekend going by your recent build rate🙂. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 17, 2018 Author Share Posted June 17, 2018 On 6/11/2018 at 9:41 PM, modelling minion said: There's just no stopping you is there Tony? Another great choice, I do like the combination of French markings and the RAF desert camouflage scheme, I would like to have a go at this is 1/48 using the Eduard kit in the future, assuming I can find the decals. Looking forward to the end result, probably by the weekend going by your recent build rate🙂. Haha,..... yeah I do get the bit between my teeth a bit don`t I!!! I like the desert camo and French markings,...... I just need to find a French roundel with a yellow surround for the fuselage as the kit doesn`t include one. It would look great in 1/48th so good look finding decals..... you never know,...if you lobby Eduard with a photo etc,.... then they may think that it is a good idea for a weekend kit too? Well,... I`ve just realised that I`ve not taken any progress photos with this one,.....I`ve applied the Middle Stone base coat,..... using Polly Scale as it is a bit paler and not as yellow as the Humbrol version that I have been using lately,....... unfortunately it streaked like hell! After quite a bit of light sanding and buffing,...hopefully I have got rid of most of the streaking; DSCF4183 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Cheers Tony 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted June 17, 2018 Share Posted June 17, 2018 Who hasn’t got one of these kits lurking somewhere in their stash? Good to see you tackle this kit as although it’s simplistic in comparison to the new Eduard kit, still builds up to look like a decent IX. I’ve got the earlier box, however have taken quite a shine to other Air Forces since watching all these great MTO builds. I might have to track down one of these kits. Regarding the missing yellow outer roundel ring, have you considered painting a yellow circle to the correct dimensions, then applying the kit decals over the top? I know it’s a pain, however might work out OK. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 17, 2018 Author Share Posted June 17, 2018 44 minutes ago, Rabbit Leader said: Who hasn’t got one of these kits lurking somewhere in their stash? Good to see you tackle this kit as although it’s simplistic in comparison to the new Eduard kit, still builds up to look like a decent IX. I’ve got the earlier box, however have taken quite a shine to other Air Forces since watching all these great MTO builds. I might have to track down one of these kits. Regarding the missing yellow outer roundel ring, have you considered painting a yellow circle to the correct dimensions, then applying the kit decals over the top? I know it’s a pain, however might work out OK. Cheers.. Dave Yeah that is my backstop Dave,......hopefully I`ll find something suitable though! Yeah it is quite a simple kit but a great `clothes hangar' for a nice scheme and it looks the part. I made one of the first test shots for Airfix magazine in what seems like years ago! Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted June 17, 2018 Share Posted June 17, 2018 Shame the upper wing cannon bulges are not separate items and the cockpit is up to the same standard as their later XIX and Mk. 1a kits. This would be a great way to quickly grow a nice simple collection of IX’s and with a few minor tweaks a few of the other later Merlin powered Spits as well. Cheers.. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 18, 2018 Author Share Posted June 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Rabbit Leader said: Shame the upper wing cannon bulges are not separate items and the cockpit is up to the same standard as their later XIX and Mk. 1a kits. This would be a great way to quickly grow a nice simple collection of IX’s and with a few minor tweaks a few of the other later Merlin powered Spits as well. Cheers.. Dave Agreed Dave. I`ve just been looking at the photo of the real aircraft again and have second thoughts about the fuselage roundel having a yellow outline,.... what do you think? The unit badge is yellow,....... and the `surround' to the roundel seems to match the fresh paint used to cover the RAF fin stripes,..... so maybe just fresh paint to cover the previous roundel? My only concern with this is that the original RAF roundel would not have been so big,....... I`d love to know what you or anybody else thinks? Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 My honest two cents opinion tony. I think its just overpainted. The original roundel for whatever reason shouldn't have been that big, but it sure seems like it was. Its not yellow with orthochromatic film or the squadron crest would be darker. I think i would just go with the standard French roundels without the surround. Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 I have to agree about the yellow badge not matching (what we first thought) to be the yellow roundel outline. I also agree that the size of RAF roundels would have been standardised by this stage of the war so it is a little on the large side. IMO, if it was a yellow outline applied to the French roundel it would have also been a little thinner and not as wide as what this photo indicates. I’m happy to agree that it’s a repaint of fresh paint but still quite puzzling all the same. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 18, 2018 Author Share Posted June 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: My honest two cents opinion tony. I think its just overpainted. The original roundel for whatever reason shouldn't have been that big, but it sure seems like it was. Its not yellow with orthochromatic film or the squadron crest would be darker. I think i would just go with the standard French roundels without the surround. Dennis I think that I`m with you on that one Dennis mate,....... I`ve come to the same conclusion,...... it just puzzles me as to the size of whatever was overpainted behind the French roundel. 1 minute ago, Rabbit Leader said: I have to agree about the yellow badge not matching (what we first thought) to be the yellow roundel outline. I also agree that the size of RAF roundels would have been standardised by this stage of the war so it is a little on the large side. IMO, if it was a yellow outline applied to the French roundel it would have also been a little thinner and not as wide as what this photo indicates. I’m happy to agree that it’s a repaint of fresh paint but still quite puzzling all the same. Cheers.. Dave Agreed Dave,..... me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 20, 2018 Author Share Posted June 20, 2018 Hiya Folks, I`ve got some more done on this one,...... the first coat of Polly Scale acrylic Dark Earth has been applied,..... unfortunately the paint is on its last legs and a little thick,....so I`ll experiment with thinners for the following coats; DSCF4201 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4202 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Cheers Tony 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 You must be able to apply this typical Spitfire camouflage pattern with your eyes closed by now Tony!! Yet another cracker in the making here, but at this rapid pace I’m getting a little worried that your favourite paint stash will no longer be at your fingertips for much longer. Have you decided which way you’re gonna go? Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 On 6/18/2018 at 12:02 PM, tonyot said: I`d love to know what you or anybody else thinks? I'm a bit late to the party sorry, but that was very much my first reaction. It also appears to me the Dark Earth in the photo does not agree with Airfix's diagram & maybe the "over paint" is more like a bulge in the shape of the DE camo portion? Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel Magnier Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 Bonjours Tonyot encore un très beau bouleau en perspective, je n'avais le MA574 mes dossiers, grâce à vous j'a pus l'y ajouter Merci pour Tout ce que vous venez de faire pour moi. Pour en revenir à ce Spitfire il est peux probable qu'il est porté le schéma de camouflage "Desert" en septembre 1944, la 1 Escadre a déjà commencée à être équipée de Spitfire en Schéma Européen. Le Bleu des cocarde est correcte contrairement à celui des décalques fournis pour le Blenheim qui est beaucoup trop foncé, il ressemble à celui des cocardes actuellement posées sur les avions en service dans l'armée de l'Air Good job boy continued Gabriel PS s vous ne les avez pas reçus je vous renverrais les informations complémentaires sr les Blenheim FAFL I am sorry to write in french but my English is extremly bad NEW INFO J'avais déjè lze serial de cet avion mais j'ai regardé dans le mauvais fichier MA574 33MZU 20.06.43 * 82MU 27.07.43 * SS732 xx.058.43 **CRAA Casablanca 18.08.1943 (French Unit) * NWA 01.10.1043 * 1ère Escadre (Sq.326 "Nice" * Sqn.327 "Corse " * Sqn.328 "Provence" ** SQN.328 FAF 31.10.1943 - XX.XX.XX * XX.XX.XX - Unkwow unit * 07.10.1944-02.12.1944 SQN.328 "Provence" crash landed after not possibility down wheels at 203.25 hours * Pilot RATEL Jean LTT (F/O) ? STILL EXTREMELY DESOLED FOR my mistake ENGLISH Gabriel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel Magnier Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 at Luxeuil - Haute Saone - France i forgotten there small detail 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalkeEins Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 .. I wondered that as well Gabriel. If the photo top does date from September 44, would not the desert scheme have been over-painted by then ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 6 hours ago, Gabriel Magnier said: Bonjours Tonyot encore un très beau bouleau en perspective, je n'avais le MA574 mes dossiers, grâce à vous j'a pus l'y ajouter Merci pour Tout ce que vous venez de faire pour moi. Pour en revenir à ce Spitfire il est peux probable qu'il est porté le schéma de camouflage "Desert" en septembre 1944, la 1 Escadre a déjà commencée à être équipée de Spitfire en Schéma Européen. Le Bleu des cocarde est correcte contrairement à celui des décalques fournis pour le Blenheim qui est beaucoup trop foncé, il ressemble à celui des cocardes actuellement posées sur les avions en service dans l'armée de l'Air Good job boy continued Gabriel PS s vous ne les avez pas reçus je vous renverrais les informations complémentaires sr les Blenheim FAFL I am sorry to write in french but my English is extremly bad NEW INFO J'avais déjè lze serial de cet avion mais j'ai regardé dans le mauvais fichier MA574 33MZU 20.06.43 * 82MU 27.07.43 * SS732 xx.058.43 **CRAA Casablanca 18.08.1943 (French Unit) * NWA 01.10.1043 * 1ère Escadre (Sq.326 "Nice" * Sqn.327 "Corse " * Sqn.328 "Provence" ** SQN.328 FAF 31.10.1943 - XX.XX.XX * XX.XX.XX - Unkwow unit * 07.10.1944-02.12.1944 SQN.328 "Provence" crash landed after not possibility down wheels at 203.25 hours * Pilot RATEL Jean LTT (F/O) ? STILL EXTREMELY DESOLED FOR my mistake ENGLISH Gabriel Thanks Gabriel. As an Australian, my French is worse than my English!! However, with the help of technology I will feed your words into a Google Translater so that I can read your comments. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 (edited) Cheers for all your comments everybody, Yes Dave,..... my stash of preferred colours is rapidly dwindling mate,.... but best to use them before they dry up I suppose!! Steve,,,, yes I think that it is either fresh DE or even USAAF OD,..... I`m going for fresh DE. Gabriel and FalkeEins,... thans for the info,...... I agree that most desert camouflaged Spitfire`s had been repainted or were no longer in front line service by 1944 but there were still a few around and as it was in French service,..... then this may also be a reason for the older scheme still being still applied. When I first saw the colour details in the kit I thought that it might be a mistake,..... but the photo definitely shows a desert pattern,..... and convinced me to build the model in this scheme. Anyway,.... I`ve got the basic scheme applied now including the Azure Blue undersides; DSCF4222 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Cheers Tony Edited June 21, 2018 by tonyot 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 23, 2018 Author Share Posted June 23, 2018 Hiya Folks, Did a bit more on this one today,.....painted on the discs behind the roundels using a darker, fresher Dark Earth but although it looked OK while wet,.... it has dried lighter,.... so I`ll have another go tomorrow! DSCF4280 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4279 by Tony OToole, on Flickr Cheers Tony 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 28, 2018 Author Share Posted June 28, 2018 Hiya Folks,.... I got around to applying the decals to the model,...... with the fuselage roundel applied on top of a disc of Polly Scale RAAF Earth Brown to simulate fresh paint covering the previous roundel; Cheers, Tony 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franz75 Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Hi Tony, you are fast, another nice kit. As usual unique and original markings. I assume that you have a big house to keep all your models in. 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 22 minutes ago, Franz75 said: Hi Tony, you are fast, another nice kit. As usual unique and original markings. I assume that you have a big house to keep all your models in. 😁 Thanks Franz,..... I wish that I did have a big house mate,..... but no,..... I live in a small 2 up, 2 down terrace which is bursting at the seams!!! I have run out of room and will have to have a massive sort out soon! Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalkeEins Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 bout time you sold some on ebay Tone, I'd love to own an O'Toole original! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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