cger 1,087 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 (edited) Hi guys, I recently finished the Spitfire VC by Special Hobby, in the boxing devoted to Malta Spitfires. I have read several complaints on the net about this kit, but for my limited Spitfire expertise, it was ok. The only thing I realized a bit too late was that the UC legs are a bit too long (at least compared with Eduard Spits). I started by riveting the kit I choose the markings of BR 112 coded X, one can easily find pics of this plane lying on a beach in Sicily. To represent the famous 'Malta blue', I painted the kit in the Dark Earth, Mid Stone and Azure Blue desert scheme, using Gunze for the upper surfaces and a Tamiya mix for the Azure Blue. On top of that I applied a thin and rather transparent coat of a mix of Gunze H 337 and H 42, leaving the Desert camo slightly visible. There is a patch on the top of the fuselage and also the tail unit who seem not to have been overpainted. The weathering was done with oil washes, India ink pens, and pigments. I hope you will like it, Christian. Edited January 16, 2020 by cger 69 Link to post Share on other sites
desert falcon 893 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Very nice Christian Link to post Share on other sites
GP2705 3 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Fantastic Link to post Share on other sites
Troy Smith 9,082 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 1 hour ago, cger said: I have read several complaints on the net about this kit, but for my limited Spitfire expertise, it was ok. That's the net for you.... and echo chamber of incorrect info ... The fuselage is too short, by about 3mm, split just in front of the cockpit and just in front of the tail. Not a difficult fix if it bugs you. this is a SH Seafire III fuselage fixed with an Airfix V for comparison (also checked against the known firewall to rudder post length) this also moves the wing forward to the right place,look at the white strip at the rear of the wing fillet for comparison, as the Sh thn needs a little reshaping there. Airfix vs SH cut fillet align IMG_0450 by losethekibble, on Flickr If you are going to knock yourself out with riveting and the like, here's some more precise Spitfire information. Spitfire leading edges are thicker metal, the rivets are flush, filled and rubbed down, and are almost invisible 1/1 size. (one glitch in the Eduard kit BTW) Wheel wells, the outer wheel part is the underside colour. I have seen comments to the contrary, depending on where you think the exterior/interior boundary is. this still from a May 1940 maintenance film, so a factory paint scheme, shows the well is the underside colour, the interior leg part is the internal colour, aluminium. Spitfire Mk.I maintenance film UC well colour by losethekibble, on Flickr The upperwing roundels are a little too far out, there should be a small gap (2 inch in full size, so about 1mm in 1/48) between the leading edge and the rear edge. RAF markings are not on control surfaces. There is a formula for RAF wing roundel placement, roundel centre is 1/3 wingspan in from wing tip, (span from centreline) see page 7 of linked monograph for detail of the markings positions https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Modeling-References/Camoflage-Markings/01-Supermarine-Spitfire All minor points, hopefully of use for the next build Overall a very neat build cheers T 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Robert_ 640 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Very nice, cool weathering. Link to post Share on other sites
RMCS 6,079 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Lovley Link to post Share on other sites
Dunny 2,659 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Impressive work on the riveting, and the weathering is amazing work. Well done! Link to post Share on other sites
chris148 1,206 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Nice work,great bit of weathering Link to post Share on other sites
tonyot 35,720 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Nicely done Christian,....... it really looks the part compared to the original sat in the surf on a Sicilian beach, Cheers Tony Link to post Share on other sites
Spitfire31 2,483 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Notwithstanding a couple of minor points, an evocative miniature sculpture of a working Spitfire! It would have been a further touch of authenticty to have the elevators droop, as they invariably do on a parked Spitfire. Also, I haven't seen the IFF aerial fuselage attachment point situated so high up. The colour photo of sgt. Weaver's machine on the beach doesn't really show the IFF aerial, but typically, it would've been attached like so: Like I said, minor points on a magnificent and very convincing model. Kind regards, Joachim Link to post Share on other sites
Massimo 4,508 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 This Malta Blue 's got some magic to me and I really love this kit! The weathering is superb, but I think you forgot... the access door's interior. That looks just painted interior green and there's no attempt to any sort of shading or highlighting. I don't pretend the crowbar painted red, but It's right in front of you and it's in contrast with the wonderful work you've done on the exterior!!! Anyway you're still in time! Well done! Massimo Link to post Share on other sites
Hewy 9,635 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Beautifully painted and weathered Link to post Share on other sites
Greg Law 5,157 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 That's a brilliant build. The pilot's must have been very nervous when climbing into that. Link to post Share on other sites
cger 1,087 Posted January 15, 2020 Author Share Posted January 15, 2020 thanks guys for the comments, I plead guilty for the various errors, which I would have avoided if I had taken the time to ask on the forum ! (I am often too impatient). Here is a pic of BR 112 showing the IFF aerial , Spitfire31 is right , the attachment point on my model is much too high. This can be repaired I think. To answer to Massimo, my reasoning was that the access door interior should not age as quickly as the airframe, but maybe a wash there would be appropriate, have a nice day, Christian. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Wulfman 1,489 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Excellent build with very realistic weathering, well done. Wulfman Link to post Share on other sites
GREG DESTEC 5,371 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 I like this a lot! It's often difficult to replicate the colours on the Malta Spitfires, but I reckon yours is spot on. Well done Link to post Share on other sites
keith in the uk 577 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Wow Wow and triple Wow , That's one fine job , the exhausts are just exquisite. Link to post Share on other sites
polybebber 213 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 One of the best finishes I've seen on a Spitfire, you've created a beauty - hats off!!! Lothar Link to post Share on other sites
woody37 11,444 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Absolutely stunning finish, the weathering and worn paintwork is incredible Link to post Share on other sites
Putty Animal 1,523 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Beautiful work and a fantastic result. You had me at Malta. Link to post Share on other sites
keefr22 13,803 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 That is a simply gorgeous model - fantastic paint and weathering! 13 hours ago, cger said: To answer to Massimo, my reasoning was that the access door interior should not age as quickly as the airframe, but maybe a wash there would be appropriate, I've just checked out your flickr pics and it looks to me that you have done a wash there? It looks dirty enough to me anyway! And looking at the full size original pics in flickr shows just how superb your weathering looks in close up! Keith Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Drover 1,219 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 That's a great result Christian. Thanks for the explanation of the painting technique too. Mick Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Brantley 2,260 Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Yes, very nice work! You should be proud of your results here! Link to post Share on other sites
airbus320 1,148 Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 Superb Malta Spit!!! Chris Link to post Share on other sites
rob85 8,939 Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 I flipping love this, weather it’s accurate or the weathering is correct I don’t know. All I know is it looks excellent and you’ve shown some real skill with your work! I do love a malta spitfire Rob Link to post Share on other sites
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