SimonL Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 With my Tucano on final approach, I thought I would start something a little more challenging. I picked the Pegasus 1/72 Spitfire Prototype up from a recent model expo for A$2. It looks a bit rough! Lots of flash, and the decals are unusable (out of register and also seriously cracked). Yikes! What have I let myself in for. First the decals - I put in an order for Xtradecal X72075 which has the appropriate markings (I have an AIrfix MkIA/IIA sitting in the stash which should make use of some of the other markings). A quick check on the internet, and I gather there is a fair amount of debate on colours. I am tossing up whether to use RLM 76 as a few others on this site have, (as I have that colour available in my stash of paints 😁), or lashing out for some Tamiya XF23 as others have used. I also note there appears to be variations how folk have painted the propeller. Ill worry about that later, as (1) it will be a month before the decals get here to Australia) and (2) I suspect there will be lots of time filling, sanding, filling and repeat. First task was to clear up the worst of the flash on the main parts. The plastic is actually quite soft, so this wasn't difficult to to do. That doesn't look so bad does it? Think again. Oh my. To work. Started by glueing the fuselage together, but only at the top - I think I will need a spacer or something later on to avoid big gaps at the wing roots. As for the wings. Interesting mouldings. The out part of the wing is solid, with the central "gull wing part" fitting (sort of) to the inner part. There is a mismatch in the "height" of the gull wing part, which needed some spacers to brings things up to the right level - I think a picture may help here. I then glued the wing section together, and offered it up as a dry fit to the fuselage. As expected I will need some wedges underneath, but from the top it doesn't look too bad at all. Quick dry fit of the canopy. The cockpit parts are rather crude, but I don't think much will be visible so no great loss. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 A kit from the "stone age of "short run" kits. Best of luck. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Good start and nice work so far! Håkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Wow, a Spitfire being scratchbuilt using pieces of plastic of roughly the right shape. AW 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Looks like biting into gnarled bone! But you are sure to persevere! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Hi Good work so far. I will watch with interest as I have an old Heller Spitfire mk I to convert with the Aeroclub conversion. Keep up the good work. All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Looking on with interest. Colour......I’ve seen it quoted as everything from a sky blue, via an undetermined Rolls Royce colour, to the grey Supermarine used for floats Just a thought but doesn’t the Airfix kit have an early screen/canopy and if so, is it useable? Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 Hi Trevor. The Mk I/IIA boxing does have something similar, however I have already used it on a previous build so I will have to go with what I have. Progress today. Sanding and filling of the fuselage, and inserting the seat into the cockpit. The wingtip lights on the prototype are different to the "regular" Spitfire, so just for once I cut out the appropriate space on the wing tip, superglued in some scraps of clear sprue and then sanded to shape. With the wing section, more sanding and filling. I also attempted to hollow out some intakes. They need a bit of tidy up but better than a blank space. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 One photo today, thats sums up a lot of work. Beginning to look more like a spitfire now. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenCJ Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 This is coming together very nicely. I wish I could sort out the wing to fuselage joint as quick on my Concorde. I think if I can finish that beast there is nothing I can't build. Stephen 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 Progress over the last day or so has been a bit fitful. Fitted the canopy with plenty of PVA to try an fill some nasty gaps, followed up with some Mr Surfacer 500 which will need a bit of fettling. I painted seams with silver paint to see where extra work was needed - which it will be in several places. Also worked on the undercarriage, using some spare parts from an unbuilt Italeri Vb and some plastic card as well as the white metal legs that came with the kit. And looked what arrived here in Australia, little over a week after ordering from the UK: 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Nice going Simon, you're working wonders with that kit. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Looking good Simon. Coming together nicely now. I keep looking at the one I have in the stash now. I must resist though as I need to build something larger. The decals sheet is very nice too. Keep up the good work. All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 Thanks for the kind comments. Managed to slap some paint on over the weekend. A couple of brushed on coats of Italeri Acrylic RLM76. It has revealed a few spots that need a bit of extra work, but doesn’t look too bad. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted August 5, 2018 Author Share Posted August 5, 2018 Progress this weekend, painting finished, gloss coat on - a couple of brushed on coats of floor polish. Decaling underway. And all done. Had a few issues lining up the two layers of serials, and screwed a roundal up (thank heavens for spares). 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 Wow that's gorgeous looks like a great model can't wait to see her standing on the undercarriage. Great work. All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 That belies its origins. You have done a little very job. There’s a good model under the flash and big spruce gates! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 Looking really nice Simon, you've pulled off a great result with this old kit. 👍 Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Top job on a beautiful aeroplane. $2, what a score! I'm excited to see your RFI. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 That is great job on that old flash-monster. Well done with your construction, paint and decalling. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubar57 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Very impressive 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Silk purse from a sow’s ear. Brilliant job👏🏅 AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted August 7, 2018 Author Share Posted August 7, 2018 On 8/6/2018 at 1:29 AM, bigbadbadge said: Wow that's gorgeous looks like a great model can't wait to see her standing on the undercarriage. Great work. All the best Chris Thanks Chris - very nearly there! On 8/6/2018 at 5:52 AM, AdrianMF said: That belies its origins. You have done a little very job. There’s a good model under the flash and big spruce gates! Regards, Adrian Thanks Adrian, I’m pretty happy with how it has worked out. On 8/6/2018 at 6:26 AM, stevehnz said: Looking really nice Simon, you've pulled off a great result with this old kit. 👍 Steve. Thanks Steve - almost done. 9 hours ago, k5054nz said: Top job on a beautiful aeroplane. $2, what a score! I'm excited to see your RFI. The price does give me a bit of freedom to not be worried if it goes pear shaped, although I think I am rather attached to it now. 8 hours ago, Horatio Gruntfuttock said: That is great job on that old flash-monster. Well done with your construction, paint and decalling. Thankyou! 7 hours ago, fubar57 said: Very impressive Thanks! 9 minutes ago, Andwil said: Silk purse from a sow’s ear. Brilliant job👏🏅 AW Thanks! Not much done tonight. Just a grey oil wash in what few panel lines there are - not too much as in the period photos it looks pretty clean. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 Wow looks lovely can't wait to see what she looks like with the gorgeous prop on. Keep up the good work All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey-1980 Posted August 7, 2018 Share Posted August 7, 2018 looks spectacular!! Seem lines as bad as my Canberra haha!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now