RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 3 builds into my return to plastic manipulation its time to build a Spitfire or two! The 1st Spitfire will be a deviation from my primary theme of aircraft flown from US bases in Essex during WW2 in 1/72nd scale, but still has an Essex theme, a 131 Squadron MkVII Spitfire flown by Ft Lt C. 'Pete' Bearman. He was a close friend and colleague to my Grandfather at Essex Police before he volunteered to join the RAF . The 2nd Spitfire will be an Eagle Squadron MkVb Spitfire based at North Weald. I will be making the decals for this aircraft Onto the kits - No.1 AZ Models 1/72nd MKVII Spitfire - my 1st venture in limited run kits - hmm where are the locating pins No.2 Tamiya 1/72nd Mk Vb 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 Last night plastic has been cut ! Since I always seem mix enough paint for a full production line - I have started both kits cockpits at the same time , that is a good enough reason to use the Tamiya kit as an assembly guide Obviously the 1st thing I noticed was how soft the plastic is in the AZ kit compared to the Tamiya one. So all fettling and sanding has to be gentle otherwise it might end up 1/144 scale ! After initial sprue removal, clean up, a little filler, rear bulkhead assembly (AZ models 5 parts , Tamiya 2 parts for something that will not be seen due to both kits not having the OOB option of canopy open - hence I will just be adding tape seat belts to both kits later) the parts were painted interior green - a mix of 5:1:1 of Tamiya's Sky, Green and Field Grey. Both kits have some detail on the cockpit sides these and the IP's will get some colour tonight. AZ - Mk VII Tamiya MkVb 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 This weekends update , I finished the Mk VII cockpit , tape seatbelts to add a little interest through the canopy dry fitted together : The last time the cockpit sides will ever be seen ! : Mk VII does not have a cockpit side door - panel line filled with the magic Perfect Putty, and some sanding on the top seams, To aid attaching the horizontal stabilisers (I really dislike butt joints) I drilled a small hole and added a piece of styrene rod this will give a little extra strength helping assembly. I stated tiding up the Wheel wells , to get a smooth finish, Upper wing tips were also trimmed of the 'Clipped Wing' end read for adding the 'pointy' wing tip that was usual with the MkVII HF variant Since we were going to be close to my local Model shop , I popped in to buy some PRU Blue which I will need for the Camo scheme Spoiler I ended up with some expense paints This was in my bag as I left ... I blamed BritModeller RFI section I also did a little more on the Mk Vb Cockpit - again adding tape Seatbelts since this is also a closed canopy model and not much will be visible . 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 Another week goes by with some progress and the attack of the carpet monster! As usual the Tamiya kit fell together with little fuss and only a dab of filler. Canopy on , masked and Primed. The AZ kit required some fettling and filler to make everything fit nice, a little CA glue to attach the pointy wingtips, followed by some gentle sanding. Canopy on and masked up , time for some primer to show where it still needs some work. Whilst the primer was drying it was time to look at cleaning up the prop, spinner under carriage etc ... but where is the spinner ? After much searching and swearing it was not found so milliput time. Using a sprue as a base I have made these : After cutting off the sprue , trimming to the correct height, and adding the cut-aways so the prop fits , not a bad replacement. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 Great work on those. And nice replacement for the spinner. Oh, and I have a few Spits under the desk, mid-build. They shall return!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Great save on the spinner, it looks perfect. AZ Spitfires can be a lot of extra work, but well worth it, and yours is no exception, beautiful. What primer are you using? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 29, 2018 Author Share Posted August 29, 2018 @Cookenbacher I now use Ultimate Primer after a 2 model stint using Vallejo's primer. You know it was time for a beer last night when...... you airbrush dark sea grey instead of medium sea grey.. oops, the funny part was it was not until I was cleaning my airbrush that I thought .. hmm that a bit dark LOL 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 I've never understood why AZ made their MkVII/ VIII kit with clipped wings, standard wingtips I can understand. Nice work, especially the Milliput spinner - that's very clever - but don't forget the intake for the pressurisation compressor on the starboard side of the MkVIIs nose. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Very nice work indeed. The replacement spinner is excellent too. Keep up the good work. All the best Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisTheBear Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 Oh, lovely! I've always had a tbung for the HF Spits. DennisTheBear 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 30, 2018 Author Share Posted August 30, 2018 Some updates on the Mk VII : MEDIUM Sea Grey on the upper sides ( with the pressurisation compressor intake added on the starboard side) and PRU Blue on the bottom. Paints used Tamiya MSG and Vallejo PRU Blue MK Vb Coat of Medium Sea Grey on the undersides and Ocean Grey upper. Paints used Tamiya MSG and Tamiya Ocean Grey. This evening wiggly blu tac worm time , tomorrow , dark green. Then let the paint fully dry for a couple of days before gloss coating 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrzeM Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Quite impressive! I'm watching with interest. I have several (actually 6! - I've bought two "joy packs" including 3 kits in each box, without decals) AZ Spitfires IX and I will have to build at least some of them, despite fact that I already have Eduard one, which is better kit. Good to see that the AZ ones are buildable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Both coming along nicely. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) MK V Spitfire , masking off after some Tamiya RAF Dark Green being sprayed on, time to let paint dry for a couple of days before the next steps. Side on to use for colour matching in GIMP to make some Eagle Squadron decals (not sure which squadron yet - will be pre move to USAF ) , will use the Kits roundals and tail markings. Edited September 1, 2018 by RJ-WobblyHands 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 The Mk V is looking great in her camo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted September 4, 2018 Author Share Posted September 4, 2018 Disaster Strikes !! - well a minor set back and thankfully before any decals are placed. Out with the 'Future' time to gloss coat the MkVII after nearly a week of letting the Tamiya Acrylics cure. 3 Lightish coats - it all looked great, Then this morning the wings and elevators had turned into a crazy paving playground ... 😪 , not entirely sure what I had done different - same airbrush , nozzle (0.2) , 20 psi as I used on my three other aircraft, only one thing to do - out with the 600 wet'n'dry. Now we have a sad Mk VII that needs some love with Medium Sea Grey. The Mk Vb is finally ready for gloss coating , though I will wait and spary them both at the same time. I have decided she will be marked up as AV - R BM590 'Olga' of 121 Squadron who were based at both North Weald then Debden before disbanding and reforming as the 335th FS in 4th FG staying at Debden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Nice work on the VB, sorry to hear about the setback with the VII. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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