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Airfix 'Bronze' Spitfire +++ COMPLETED +++


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It's a slow day at work - I think the sun has finally got to everyone and they're all looking forward to the weekend - so - time for a small update...

 

When I got home last night I unclamped my masterpiece and spent the best part of an hour sanding the wing edges.  I obviously didn't apply enough glue on the wing to fuselage joints though and the little beggars were starting to droop again.

 

I 'poured' in some more poly and pulled the wing upwards with copious amounts of masking tape...

 

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You can see the size of the gaps on the left hand side....

 

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It's amazing what force you can exert with enough tape - but every bit extra helps - so...

 

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Now that pulled it up!!!

 

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So with one side done it was time for the other side - this shows the difference...

 

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Waiting for the glue to harden meant I couldn't get anything else done though...

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jeezo that's some difference in angle (from the "done" wing compared to the other one).

 

I hope you were working in a well ventilated room while dealing with pints of glue 🤣

 

(oh wait - the open window thing wasn't meant as a joke because of the fire!!!!)

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I was comparing my new tool 1/72 Spit...

 

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...with this ancient 1/24...

 

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...it's a bit BIG!!!

 

then I had a rummage for the smallest thing I've built recently...

 

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This Jeep is no bigger than the exhausts.  Small things amuse small minds eh...

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I'm having a few problems this morning - the liquid poly simply will not set and cure on my air intakes and radiator - they have been sat on the desk for over an hour now and they are as 'squishy' as anything...

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I have a question - if anyone has an answer - or even just an opinion - please let me know...

 

I am not expecting anyone to be an 'expert' on Rustoleum oil brushed bronze metallic spray paint - but...

...I'm wondering about the undercoat.  I am definitely going to undercoat - as I am suspecting it will show up some flaws - that hopefully can be rectified.

 

Now I know Vallejo recommend black undercoat for their metallics - but does that go for ALL metallics - any thoughts would be welcome.

 

Thanks - Steve

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I find that generally a black undercoat is good, but for a brighter top finish I'll use a bright silver no matter what the top metallic is and sometimes I'll use a yellow base coat for gold, copper, brass and bright bronze

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It's been a very 'on and off' weekend - there has been so much going on...

 

  • World Cup
  • Formula 1
  • Those brave kids in Thailand

Progress has been made on the Spit though - so time for the Sunday night updates.

 

It was basically lots of finishing off jobs like these...

 

Glue on the top front engine cowl...

 

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Mr surfacer into some of those pesky sink holes...

 

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Getting the top light on...

 

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Now here we have one of the main reasons this build will be a 'little different'.  This badly damaged rear canopy couldn't be saved and it was one of the reasons I nearly binned the kit...

 

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It glued into position perfectly...

 

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sod's law I think they call it :doh:

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As the canopy needs to be closed it made sense to glue the front 2 sections together...

 

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There is something incredibly liberating about covering a clear canopy with 'lashings' of liquid poly and not giving a damn if it 'mists' up. :D

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The rear stabilizers needed finishing - I put the fronts on first - then the flaps...

 

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After this bit I sanded down the leading edge to flap meeting points - so they looked more 'stream lined'.  The filler on the left is filling sink holes.

 

The nose cowl looks well - considering that huge lump on it that needed sanding down...

 

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Getting slightly ahead of myself - I may pop it on top of my printer - or maybe the same printer on my desk at work...

 

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I'm leaving the aerial and pitot off - for now - I have 'previous' as they say with these delicate parts :oops:  But I did need to attend to the air intakes and radiators - which were all very badly fitting - as I think @Antb found as well...

 

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I had to do a bit of filling here - as a 'sculpture' wouldn't have those nasty gaps.

 

And this bit was a real beggar...

 

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It was a git to fill and smooth - I'm just glad it wasn't a huge trop filter.

 

bronze_168.jpg

 

...a bit of filling and then ready for priming.

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6 minutes ago, BIG X said:

I'm leaving the aerial and pitot off - for now - I have 'previous' as they say with these delicate parts :oops:  But I did need to attend to the air intakes and radiators - which were all very badly fitting - as I think @Antb found as well...

 

bronze_164.jpg

 

bronze_165.jpg

 

bronze_166.jpg 

 

I had to do a bit of filling here - as a 'sculpture' wouldn't have those nasty gaps.

 

And this bit was a real beggar...

 

bronze_167.jpg

 

It was a git to fill and smooth - I'm just glad it wasn't a huge trop filter.

 

bronze_168.jpg

 

...a bit of filling and then ready for priming.

You. Pain in the proverbial. 

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1 minute ago, Antb said:

Wait. Not you. Should have read yes. Damn auto spell. 

 

Sorry about that 

Don't panic Ant - I guessed that was the case - but for the record - I can be a real P.I.T.A - just aske SWMBO...

 

anyway - this was never going to be an airbrush and spray booth job - it barely fits and only at a certain angle...

 

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I nipped down to Halfords for some matt black primer - then noticed the note on the cap...

 

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Luckily I have plenty in - so the new plan is grey primer - followed by black primer tomorrow - I knew they grey would be easier to spot problems though - so I'm glad it worked out this way really.  Sometimes when you can't make your mind up - fortune takes a hand.

 

The initial grey primer coat worked well and I only found a few 'bumps' that needed a light sanding and the only filling was here...

 

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So quick second coat and we are all up to date...

 

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So it will be on with the black coat tomorrow and then the BRONZE - TA DA...

 

I'm rally looking forward to it actually.

 

As always - thanks for looking in - Steve :)

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@BIG X surely not mate 🤣🤣

 

Fabulous progress as ever. She's going to look awesome in her new coat soon. 

 

As ever, watching with interest 

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Really looking forward to watching the bronze go on.

 

Apologies I couldn't help with the choice of undercoat but you seem to have it well sorted now :like:

 

All the best

 

Ben

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Don't some.paint have some funny old names... who comes up with them? 

 

Oil rubbed bronze 🤣

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Looking forward to seeing this stuff on - i've started the 1/48 spitfire and it looks like the wing thing is the same.  Only double the size on the "big" kits....

 

nearly at the finish line?

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12 hours ago, Lawzer said:

Looking forward to seeing this stuff on - i've started the 1/48 spitfire and it looks like the wing thing is the same.  Only double the size on the "big" kits....

 

nearly at the finish line?

I put the black primer over the grey last night and had a test of the bronze on a Mule Hurricane and then on the stand - I'll post some pictures later - I need opinions...

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As promised a bit of an update...

 

I decided it was time to stop faffing and get the aerial and pitot on...

 

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Since I took this shot I have already managed to snap the aerial - but I have super glued it back on :oops:

 

...and as I can never resist 'messing' about - tried the prop off my other spit on for size...

 

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I think the 'in-flight' nose looks better...

 

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I meant to ask - you going to put any decals on?

 

This reminds me of the hobbycraft ju87 that I thought was beyond (at least my!) redemption so had a VERY brief go at foiling it (a whif sort of mojo).  Didn't last long 🤣

 

 

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14 minutes ago, Lawzer said:

I meant to ask - you going to put any decals on?

 

This reminds me of the hobbycraft ju87 that I thought was beyond (at least my!) redemption so had a VERY brief go at foiling it (a whif sort of mojo).  Didn't last long 🤣

 

 

no decals - I did toy with the idea of getting some vinyl cut roundels and codes - then spraying over them to give them a 3d effect on the fuselage and wings - but I'm already in over my head on this one - so it's KISS - keep it simple steve...

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As promised here are the results of the 'test' on the bronze with an old mule...

 

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Aren't you glad when you run a test...  This stuff sprays on like 'runny honey' and 'flowed' really well down the side of the hurricane :oops:

any comments on the finish...

 

 

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