Spitfire. First time model...need some critque and ways improve

[Sunny]

Hi,

 

This is the first time i modelling after about 20 years. I have been concentrating on the engine for a spitfire MVIII and I think i am coming towards the end.  Would appreciate anyones opinion on how i could make it better.   I still need to finish the exhaust, PE frame and final weathering. 

 

Edit: Base kit is the Eduard Spitfire mk vIII 1/48 kit

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2019 by Sunny

[Gorby]

That's seriously good as it is.

Some people love it and some hate it, but I like to do a subtle darkish (not black) wash. It helps to give the impression of shadows and highlight the details.

[Troy Smith]

As @Gorby  says, a subtle dark wash will make detail 'pop'

 

Depends on what type of paint,  for acylic, Tamiya Smoke is often mentioned,  but you can make acrylic washes.

 

A very fine wash can be made using artists oil paint and thin with lighter fuel, it very volatile and thin, so will flow into every crevice. try burnt umber and black.

A brush dampened with clean lighter fuel will clean off the excess as well.  

 

As with anything new,  test on scrap first.

careful drybrushing with a slighly lightened version of the grey-green on the engine bearers would also add depth

 

No scale or base kit given?  Tamiya 1/32nd? 

 

and, as always, refer to the real thing, some period colour that may help

 

Spitfire maintenance by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr

 

"...bloody thing won't budge.." by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr

 

Spitfire LF Mk. IXe ,  1946. by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr

 

Spitfire Mk.XVI     1945. by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr

 

the full set are here

 

https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=8270787@N07&q=spitfire

 

from member @Etiennedup  which is a great resource

 

HTH

[Sunny]

@Troy Smith thanks for those images! super helpful.  

 

I have edited my post, but this is a 1/48 eduard spitfire MkViii kit, with the Eduard engine detail kit.  The finest wire is 0.1mm copper.

[Crimea River]

I'd be pretty happy with that engine as it stands. The only thing I see is that some of the exhaust stubs are not quite aligned. Careful attention to make sure things are properly aligned goes a long way to achieving a quality build.

 

Keep up the great work!

 

Andy

[Paulaero]

On 23/11/2019 at 09:27, Sunny said:

Hi,

 

This is the first time i modelling after about 20 years. I have been concentrating on the engine for a spitfire MVIII and I think i am coming towards the end.  Would appreciate anyones opinion on how i could make it better.   I still need to finish the exhaust, PE frame and final weathering. 

 

Edit: Base kit is the Eduard Spitfire mk vIII 1/48 kit

 

 

 

Don't know where you get a 1:1 scale tooth pick from !!

 

That looks seriously good work bit of a wash to 'separate' the copper pipes maybe ??

[rob Lyttle]

Yikes.... I thought you were a beginner asking for a bit of help to tidy things up and improve your skills...... 

 

 

I'm out... 😎

[Martian]

Its fine. I would leave it as it is.

 

Martian 👽

[pommie commie]

My 1/32 Tamiya doesn't look as good! First model in 20 years? I'm impressed.