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Thunderbolt, Spitfire and Swallow - now with added Zoerster!


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Morning all

 

So I have ended up with 3 kits on the go at once, not planned this way just happened. I started with the Airfix ME262 for which I also have the Eduard etch set, started out promisingly but the more I have done the less enjoyable this one has become for several reasons, firstly the kit fit has not been up to the recent new tool standards, wings halves not mating correctly, wing to body and engine to wing fit... well I'm still working on that. As you can see from the pictures this one has taken more filler so far than the last 3 kits put together!

43285881192_ac98056ebb_h.jpgIMGA0209 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43285880632_fb031a592f_h.jpgIMGA0211 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43335928831_a9cc81ad1d_h.jpgIMGA0210 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

Because the Airfix kit was starting to get under my skin I started the Eduard Spitfire mk9, this is a Profipack so no after market needed but I picked up some Techmod decals for Israeli and Egyptian aircraft, this is a fantastic kit, extremely detailed and overly complicated.

43335929791_2e03c4f472_h.jpgIMGA0207 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29465995538_e7ff1f2fb3_h.jpgIMGA0212 by neil Connor, on Flickr

This one although going together nicely, does not lend itself for a quick build so I started a third kit.

 

This being Revell P47 Thunderbolt 2013 rebox from 1990's moulds from what I can work out, So far I have spent maybe 60 minutes on this one so far and have been surprised how good the fit and detail is for such an old kit. Better than the new tool ME262? we'll see as I get further into it.

43335929461_7424eadcdd_h.jpgIMGA0208 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43285880392_d3a9064356_h.jpgIMGA0213 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The only disappointment so far is the box art shows the aircraft with bombs and centre line fuel tank but the kit has 10 rocket and P38 fuel tanks on the wings, I may have to find replacements.

Edited by neil5208
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I believe the “M” shouldnt be carrying any bombs ? It was a high speed long range escort fighter. That being the case the 38 droptanks would be correct but the missles and bombs wouldnt be. I believe Revell didnt know this when doing the boxart. 

Edited by Corsairfoxfouruncle
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48 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

I believe the “M” shouldnt be carrying any bombs ? It was a high speed long range escort fighter. That being the case the 38 droptanks would ne correct but the missles and bombs wouldnt be. I believe Revell didnt know this when doing the boxart. 

I think that is correct- the 61st squadron M's were almost always not fitted with the underwing pylons and carried an external tank on the centerline shackle. That being said, you do get some nice bits for the spares bin! BTW, you might find the attached link an interesting read on the P-47M- quite a hot rod!

Mike

 

http://www.456fis.org/P-47M.htm

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Hey 72, great thread, 3 great aircraft. If you pop over to the group build section for the Me262 there is a fix for the wings to assist them to mate properly. Il need to follow to as I have the Airfix 262 for that. Will enjoy watching these 3 built together 

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Quick update, a bit more work on the wing to engine fit on the swallow. As you can see filler on wing joint and the engine halves. I have the etch wheel well part folded ready to go in once I'm happy with the wing to fuselage fit and the cockpit is coming together as well.

43426068771_b64b76c6eb_h.jpgIMGA0274 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43378324332_97df87beb7_h.jpgIMGA0275 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

The Spitfire has had the upper and lower engine cowls and wing tip fitted so just needs the canopy, radiator cowls, tail plains and ailerons fitted and will be ready for paint. This one is going to be in Egyptian colours.

43378324212_d60b6d3b50_h.jpgIMGA0271 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43426067051_9a0c6b3136_h.jpgIMGA0272 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

The Thunderbolt has had the wings and engine bulk head fitted, engine is being painted before assembly, the wing had two alignment spar instead of the usaul small tabs so went on with no issues getting the correct angle. I have cut the moulded in gun sight reflector and will replace this with some clear acetate.

43426067831_258250e835_h.jpgIMGA0276 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Edited by neil5208
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So I have been back at the bench again and made a little  progress, the Thunderbolts gun sight has been replaced with a piece of clear plastic, canopy, tail plains and fin fillet are on, the fillet has some sink mark I will need to sort out, the wheel wells have been painted and one of the wing roots needs some work before I can start painting.

42597769845_fc43837c85_h.jpgIMGA0281 by neil Connor, on Flickr

You can just see the replacement gun sight through the canopy

29631284628_322562d576_h.jpgIMGA0279 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29631284968_6deba39773_h.jpgIMGA0280 by neil Connor, on Flickr

42597770415_c8515a5e33_h.jpgIMGA0282 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

Similar situation on the Spitfire but when I went to fit the canopy it sits to high and has a gap at the rear, now the instruction say to trim the fuselage at certain points if you fit the closed canopy option which I did but looks like I will have to make more adjustments

42597770905_d2d32924b1_h.jpgIMGA0278 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29631285308_937d0e9e6b_h.jpgIMGA0277 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

The swallow is still putting up a fight in regards to the wing to fuselage fit but I haven't given up on that one yet and hope to have the cockpit in soon!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Latest update, the P47's canopy has been masked and the gap I found between the parts has been filled with white glue. The swallow's etched wheel bay has been added and I have deviated from the instruction, gluing the cockpit into the fuselage instead of the rear bulkhead as Airfix instructed, The Spitfires canopy has been fitted and will be masked later today. I was hoping to get more done the last week but other thing got in the way!

43646765662_a832cb8da4_h.jpgIMGA0290 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43646763922_ef21cc3f70_h.jpgIMGA0284 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43646764332_1d09a0a9c7_h.jpgIMGA0283 by neil Connor, on Flickr

28804186307_6205f190fa_h.jpgIMGA0291 by neil Connor, on Flickr

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2nd update this weekend, Spitfire canopy has been masked and the small gaps at the rear with white glue, ailerons and rudder also fitted hopefully ready for primer later today.

43708594051_4214d4652f_h.jpgIMGA0294 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Thunderbolt has had the canopy frame painted the interior colour and I have inserted a plasticard strip in the supercharger exhaust has there was a large seam which would have been impossible to fill.

41899996730_ea1b6214e3_h.jpgIMGA0304 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The Swallow is continuing to be hard work, I would not recommend the Eduard etch set for the kit, every part has need alot of work to fit. The etch wheel bays have needed a lot of fuselage side walls to be removed and its still not fitting 100%, may need to fill gaps but I don't think the wing root will be any good.

41899995540_d11bbe6f1f_h.jpgIMGA0295 by neil Connor, on Flickr

28818540827_0d5fd21291_h.jpgIMGA0296 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43708593521_42c4f497c1_h.jpgIMGA0298 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43708592211_8c75ba9501_h.jpgIMGA0299 by neil Connor, on Flickr

41899995960_8817e3ea3a_h.jpgIMGA0300 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43708593101_c6fc7a03c0_h.jpgIMGA0301 by neil Connor, on Flickr

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Evening all, the Swallow has had its interior sprayed with Tamiya XF16 just some detail painting needed and will be ready to join to the wings.

43761478812_fb5c8ea66e_h.jpgIMGA0309 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43810066631_d86acd559b_h.jpgIMGA0306 by neil Connor, on Flickr

42906549705_370d43b2bf_h.jpgIMGA0307 by neil Connor, on Flickr

P47 has the wing and centre line pylons fitted and the aircraft sprayed again in XF16, I seen plenty of pictures of the aircraft from the 56th fighter group with pylons fitted with no fuel tanks, presumably they would be dropped as soon as enemy aircraft were spotted. The engine cowl has been moulded with flaps open so will look a bit odd for a non flying aircraft

42906549865_0ca51ae194_h.jpgIMGA0305 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The Spitfire has had the underside sprayed Valleo Azure Blue, does anyone have any tips to spray this as I was under the impression that it was meant to be airbrush ready but I found it a bit thick. I also have Valleo Middle stone to spray on this scheme so any advice will be useful

28873815607_d16d40775b_h.jpgIMGA0308 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43810067001_73191d14fd_h.jpgIMGA0310 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Edited by neil5208
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P47 is progressing nicely, sprayed the light blue during the week and the dark blue today, its turning into the most colourful WW2 aircraft I have done so far. I'll let this cure and then spray the red band around the engine cowl and the gloss blue rudder.

43146193154_a2a25d8223_h.jpgIMGA0317 by neil Connor, on Flickr

42055247790_f6894ff5da_h.jpgIMGA0316 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The Spitfire has had its first coat of middle stone, I think I've cracked spraying Valleo paints now as well.

42055247880_bb7d9e9bc7_h.jpgIMGA0315 by neil Connor, on Flickr

42055248090_43a0e62fc5_h.jpgIMGA0314 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The Swallow has not been touched since last update so I could concentrate on these two.

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Slow progress this week, P47 has been decaled and second clear coat ready for panel wash.

43997200451_5d0d239644_h.jpgIMGA0329 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43997201391_a2f48b3cf6_h.jpgIMGA0326 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The Spitfire has had the dark earth sprayed today and whilst removing the masking the Valleo Middle Stone colour now appears a lovely shade of green! hopefully once a clear coat goes on this may change.

43997200941_4f17939954_h.jpgIMGA0325 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29059729727_8c4d08e1bf_h.jpgIMGA0324 by neil Connor, on Flickr

42188107040_341975ed2f_h.jpgIMGA0328 by neil Connor, on Flickr

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Spitfire has been clear coated and decaled, it appears that Egyptian aircraft had no stencils at all so it was a quick job, only on problem with the Techmod decal sheet is that it is recommend for the Hasegawa/Italeri Spitfire MkIX  not the Edaurd one so the tail band has not quite meet so I will have to touch up. Now the decals are on the Middle stone colour has lost its greenness.

30161426278_8050360c10_h.jpgIMGA0331 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43123759665_ae4a57c555_h.jpgIMGA0330 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44029903731_29f9aad292_h.jpgIMGA0332 by neil Connor, on Flickr

P47 has had an oil wash and light weathering, prop is on and main landing gear fitted. Just landing light, finish landing gear and clear coat to go. Hopefully have this one finished soon

43311048724_2f804c8429_h.jpgIMGA0333 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43311049034_b562b5fcd1_h.jpgIMGA0334 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44029904021_73a86d910d_h.jpgIMGA0335 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

Edited by neil5208
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Thunderbolt id done, I will do a RFI in due course. I think for a cheap kit (less than £7) it has come out quite well and goes to show that you don't need to spend lots of money to get results.

43358527104_01008d2023_k.jpgIMG_8952 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Spitfire has had the spinner done, hopefully get 2nd clear coat on tomorrow and an oil wash to follow.

44076877101_e7fc1ba929_k.jpgIMG_8970 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Swallow is currently in clamps, due for filler tomorrow

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Progress on the Swallow! Clamps have come off and only a small amount of filling needed, at least all the prep work has paid off. front windscreen in place and etch canopy sill in place and hopefully get some primer on later.

29148297617_195dd96b98_h.jpgIMGA0337 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29148300147_97bd594c2d_h.jpgIMGA0336 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Spitfire has had a dark brown oil wash put on, I'll leave that for a few hours to dry before wiping off. Need to find out about dust filters as this was a desert based aircraft so would seem appropriate.

29148297747_e46a080d78_h.jpgIMGA0338 by neil Connor, on Flickr

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  • 2 weeks later...

Spitfire has progressed to almost finished, just final weathering, touch ups and matt clear coat to go.

42500362350_b9e3e4052f_h.jpgIMGA0347 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44308106221_068235499a_h.jpgIMGA0346 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Swallow has had canopy fitted and primer coat applied.

42500362150_7186d6da92_h.jpgIMGA0348 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44308106741_2f2e26bd3b_h.jpgIMGA0349 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Hopefully to be  finished as a Me262a1-u3 of III/EJG2 caputure by American forces at Lechfield 1945

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Spitfire is done, tried to get a dusty effect by using the wife's face powder! looks pretty good. Now sitting on the "foreign user shelf" of my display case.

29473734287_21c7545b0f_h.jpgIMGA0350 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44411626111_c6074203e5_h.jpgIMGA0362 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

The Swallow has had a coat of RLM 02 in preparation for top camouflage.

42500362150_7186d6da92_h.jpgIMGA0348 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

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Swallow scheme has reverted to one of the Airfix options, SWMBO has decreed that until I have a new job I can't buy any more modelling parts! I have sprayed Xrtacylics Dunkel Green and have got a pretty mottled finish, also have a few panels sprayed RLM02 as these will represent replacement parts.

43746635144_cd6af114d0_h.jpgIMGA0364 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43746634994_cbd3fcdc62_h.jpgIMGA0365 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43746634794_bc7d420ebb_h.jpgIMGA0366 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

Now the Spitfire and Thunderbolt are done I started on the next kit, Eduards BF110. This is a weekend Bf110E that I picked up for £10 at the local model shop as it had no instructions, I will do this as a C1 model of 7JZG26 based in north Africa 1941/1942 using the LPS decal sheet. This has literately fallen together until the fuselage came together where I had to add a plastic strip in the front lower joint to be able to join the nose on with a better fit and the joint on the rear fuselage need filling, sanding and re scribing. The wing and engine fit was pretty good unlike some of the reports I have seen, the sand filter has been fitted to the starboard engine. I know this is a much earlier kit than the Spitfire but build wise I think its a better one to build.

43746635394_120acc9242_h.jpgIMGA0367 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44464716161_6a95e2effe_h.jpgIMGA0368 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44464715771_38b1eee0c0_h.jpgIMGA0369 by neil Connor, on Flickr

44464715371_c0e7d0219a_h.jpgIMGA0370 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43746633454_1fd9ef68a8_h.jpgIMGA0372 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

 

Edited by neil5208
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Started the decals on the Swallow but the tail identifier doesn't want to join at the top!

44508118251_f0a17ffd18_h.jpgIMGA0377 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29570586217_9c675cfcfb_h.jpgIMGA0376 by neil Connor, on Flickr

And some are slightly out of register.

29570586427_5d47a1e839_h.jpgIMGA0375 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

The Zoerster has moved along well, wings, tail plane and canopy are on and started masking.

44508118591_1e5d62a763_h.jpgIMGA0374 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29570586137_98b66bf19a_h.jpgIMGA0378 by neil Connor, on Flickr

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Decals on the Swallow are 95% done just wheels and trim taps to do. Undercarriage and doors to be panted and fitted hopefully by Thursday. Tail band has finally settled with large applications of Microsol Red.

43645046125_ec33798859_h.jpgIMGA0383 by neil Connor, on Flickr

29616520067_270c2368a3_z.jpgIMGA0381 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43836448904_0b1cbdeb27_z.jpgIMGA0382 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Now the decals have gone it looks a lot better as I was close to file 13 this one, if I was to do another Me262 I would probably go the Academy one.

 

The Zoerster has had the canopy masked and primed using Tamiya XF66, one dry pre-shading with various shades of grey. I will see how long the tail gunner MG lasts before losing the barrel.

43645046295_559dcc3011_z.jpgIMGA0379 by neil Connor, on Flickr

43836449454_3a5f0ca089_z.jpgIMGA0380 by neil Connor, on Flickr

 

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