Jump to content

Spitfire 21 and 18 in 1/72


Recommended Posts

I've just finished two Spitfires! First off, I'm very pleased to have completed my Spitfire 21 in 1/72. It's an Airfix 22 kit with the spine and tail of the Airfix XIX grafted on. This is the second paint job on this model - the first attempt almost made it over the line back in 2016 but I made a mess of the varnishing and it went into some soapy water to get stripped. The unfortunate details are recorded in the wip:  https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234986779-spitfire-i-and-21-and-now-an-xviii/. Three years later it's finally done. Aside from the conversion its basically OOB with the exhausts drilled out and a set of Sword 4-spoke wheels. The sliding canopy is a Ventura vacform item and I'm slightly regretting not cutting open the door, but that would have given away that I haven't removed the Mark 22's canopy pulley system on the cockpit wall... On this second attempt I used Xtracrylix paints and opted for LA328 of 600 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in about 1947, using the excellent Freightdog decals. Anyway, some pictures:

 

resized_6ea61dab-bdf9-4076-b707-873ed8d9

 

resized_005bd662-a948-424d-b5db-d27ef28c

 

resized_5fe450aa-e5c7-4493-b378-62e92f2a

 

resized_bfb41d17-2fec-436a-9169-46befa38

 

resized_b15133b4-c2fb-46ea-9a7b-96c010ce

 

Second, I've also completed a Spitfire 18 using the Sword XIV kit as the basis. This was more straightforward than the 21 though there was still a bit of work to do, e.g. redoing the outer wing panels and drilling the ventral camera windows, and I used a slightly reshaped Special Hobby rudder, with Z-type trim tab added. I used a spare Eduard bubble canopy as think it captures the shape better.  It's in the 'Desert' scheme of 208 Squadron in 1949 Egypt, and I again used predominantly Xtracrylix paints, lightening the light slate grey even more with white. The dark Earth was Mr Hobby H72. Freightdog decals were again used, and here's what came out at the other end:

 

resized_0c411e00-a160-4b23-ac17-2e621165

 

resized_0219fa2b-49ba-4caa-a43e-53a89130

 

resized_658d457b-deb3-476b-b82d-6fa7a740

 

resized_295b1e47-fa0f-42dd-8a8b-d559777f

 

resized_90a3a04e-097b-4bde-8edb-dee9ee37

 

resized_73d832bd-bee4-4662-90f6-30645345

 

resized_5a377578-38ee-4451-bbe7-1bfc16b4

 

resized_7380c445-6c09-4979-a6ed-a9fb5ab1

 

And here they are together with my recently completed Sword XIV:

 

resized_69ae7c42-a1a3-4f15-a882-797ed239

 

b65afdf6-189a-4beb-8a1c-a10dfddcb4f7.JPG

 

The Sword XIVs are not the easiest of builds but they are the best we have so far in 1/72. I think I'll need to do a couple more... Hope you like these though - any comments welcome.

 

Justin

  • Like 32
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They look absolutely tip top.  Always had a 'thing' for post-War Spitfires, especially those with Griffons.   I'm particularly impressed with the cross-kitted Mk21.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/9/2019 at 9:28 AM, stevehnz said:

you're giving me ideas here. :)

Careful Steve, you may spend the next two or three years of your modelling life building late model Spitfires after admiring Bedder's builds. Ask me how I know!

 

Fantastic and inspiring builds as always Justin - I can't wait to get back to my stash and dig around for that Freightdog XVIII tail.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Justin,

 

A fantastic pair! As nice as your FR18 came out, I really, really like what you did to make the Mk 21...now I know what to do with one of my Airfix Mk 22's. Looks like you got the colors on the FR18 right on the nose! Well done!

Mike

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...