matto21 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Hi all, Had never taken part in a GB before the current Nordic one. Have really enjoyed the experience so with my build there now on the finishing straight, I was pleased to find another that I could potentially take part in. I have a choice of kits... I'm erring towards the Airfix Mk Vb at the moment, but there's still time to change my mind! Matt 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 A nice selection to choose from there Matt. Personally I’d go hit the mkviii. Look forward to following which ever one you choose. James 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKirwan Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 I fail to see the need to choose........🤔 Do all of them starting with Tamiya as that will take the whole of 5 mins to build and 20 to paint. And then into the Eduard VIII. ..... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted April 6, 2020 Author Share Posted April 6, 2020 Thanks both. It's between the Vb's. Not sure I have the patience for another Eduard Profipack yet - I still have a Bf-109 that I'm struggling to finish! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREG DESTEC Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 If you want a straightforward build then do the Tamiya Vb (I'm doing one as well except it's not the trop version) I have built the Airfix Vb and there are fit issues with it. Cheers Greg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 4 hours ago, matto21 said: Had never taken part in a GB before the current Nordic one. Have really enjoyed the experience so with my build there now on the finishing straight, I was pleased to find another that I could potentially take part in. And just like that you're hooked, they can be quite fun and helpful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted April 18, 2020 Author Share Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) Hi all, I've made my choice and it's to be the Airfix Mk Vb. I've read various build threads and am aware of potential fit issues so I'm prepared for a fight!* I've cleared and tidied the bench tonight. Here's the kit: I'm going to build it out of the box, the only extra will be canopy masks. In terms of markings, I'm not sure yet but I doubt it'll be either of the supplied schemes. My preference is to build it with the larger air filter - I just prefer the look. Thanks Matt *if it all goes wrong, I'll revert to the Tamiya Spit! Edited April 18, 2020 by matto21 Spelling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 19 minutes ago, matto21 said: I've read various build threads and am aware of potential fit issues so I'm prepared for a fight!* the fit issues are basically carelessness, and a lack of awareness of how tight modern tooling tolerances are. (and lack of self awareness that the modeller not the model is too blame) Just make sure you check the fuel tank clearance before gluing the fuselage and cockpit tub in, and be extra vigilant about mould lines and sprre nibs, and paint in mating surfaces. The odd scrape to loosen up won't hurt. I suggest you dry fit these major bits first, my tip for this kind of work is small strips of gaffa tape, more strength than masking or tamiya, and can be peeled on and off a fair few times and keeps it's stick, handy for this kind of work. The assemble cockpit bits, check not paint is fouling, and tank still clears and you should be fine. the other is, pre drill the UC legs. It's fiddly, I drilled into the lower retraction bits that go in the wing from above, (tricky as there is the half round leg bit) stuck leg on, drilled into that from below, and then removed leg. You can add the now pinned leg at the end. If you do the intail top down with a small bits, and then drill up with a bigger bit that helps. I use a vernier caliper to find the dimension of my chosen bit of pin, but turned out that moulding pins are 1mm, and are stiff but easy to cut... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 I’m just at the painting stage on mine. Whilst some areas have tight tolerances, some are quite the opposite with vague fitting points compounded by soft plastic and over complicated design. I ended up with big gaps at the wing roots. That said, it looks nice now that it’s all together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted April 18, 2020 Author Share Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) I'm with you on that @woody37 - been working on the cockpit tonight and fit of some parts has been vague to say the least. Also very over-engineered, especially around the seat and rudder pedals. I didn't like the seat armour, much too thick, so I made my own. I also sanded the headrest part down to reduce the thickness. I also made my own belts - not totally accurate, but I really don't like the flatness of etched parts. It'll look OK once painted and hidden in the cockpit. Matt Edited April 18, 2020 by matto21 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted April 24, 2020 Author Share Posted April 24, 2020 Little bit of progress in terms of cockpit painting. Matt 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted April 28, 2020 Author Share Posted April 28, 2020 (edited) Hi all, Continued slow progress. I finally finished off painting and weathering the cockpit elements. And the rather nice IP... The main focus of my time and effort however has been the upper cowling and the well documented poor fit. Try as I might (and I really tried), I could not get the correct part (D33) to fit well at all despite sanding, scraping and more sanding. When I tried the alternate part (B16), it fit much better and I surrendered. Life is too short to fight with parts that just won't fit! In these pics, only the nose section has been glued together, the rest of the fuselage is just taped. Although there is a clearly visible gap, I'm confident this will reduce once glued. I could not get the correct cowling to fit anywhere near this well. Matt Edited April 28, 2020 by matto21 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted April 29, 2020 Author Share Posted April 29, 2020 Hmmm, you can imagine my disappointment/frustration at finding this moulding defect on the lower wing... There's a corresponding ejector pin mark on the inner surface. Very annoying... Matt 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 Wing to fuselage fit is not the best, around a 1mm gap at the port wing root. This has been plugged with some plastic strip and the gaps filled with superglue. I went to bed last night frustrated with it but have woken and decided to just accept the less than perfect join. I lack the time and sanding finesse to improve it much more anyway. Matt 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Hi all, I'm nearly ready to start painting. The cannons need a bit of work to blend them into the leading edges, but they actually fit reasonably well. I made the effort to drill out the ends which makes a difference. I took this photo before adding the second cannon. I don't find the plastic that Airfix use particularly easy to sand, or maybe it's more to do with my technique (or lack of!). Matt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 That's looking very good so far,Your detail painting is excellent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 Thanks for your interest Alex. Painting of the undersides in Azure Blue has commenced and should be completed tonight with a bit of luck. I'm using Vallejo Model Air for the first time and it's been an interesting experience so far. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 Aaaand painted... Still a few touch ups to do here and there. A quick question for those more knowledgeable than I - if I were contemplating the scheme below: Can anyone advise me what the roundel, code and serial number sizes are likely to be please? Matt 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 The factory standard are standard c1 type fuselage roundel - 36 inch, under wing 32 C type, upperwing 56 inch B type, fin flash is 24 inch wide, and this looks too high. Serial standard height is 8 inch. see here, page 7, note the camo diagram etc. but the whole thing is well worth saving. https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Modeling-References/Camoflage-Markings/01-Supermarine-Spitfire the code letter look to be 24 inch by eyeballing the roundel. BUT this is a profile. My sig line exists for a good reason, do not trust profiles. OK, next http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p029.html Quote BR379 VcT 2867 HPA M46 FF 26-4-42 6MU 27-4-42 82MU 16-5-42 Hopetarn 26-5-42 Malta 249S 1-7-42 CB ops 14-7-42 Damaged by fighters and crashed in Qrendi 4-10-42 SOC 5-10-42 this is a Vc Trop. your model is Vb. They have different wings due to armament. see here http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/concise-guide-to-spitfire-wing-types.html There are plenty of Vb trop schemes though. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Thanks for the reply. I actually noticed, immediately after posting, that it was a Vc. At first glance, as the majority of the previous profiles were Vb's, I didn't look at the captions properly! Useful information about the sizes etc so thank you, this is an area that always confuses me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 9 hours ago, Troy Smith said: The factory standard are standard c1 type fuselage roundel - 36 inch, under wing 32 C type, upperwing 56 inch B type, fin flash is 24 inch wide, and this looks too high. Serial standard height is 8 inch. see here, page 7, note the camo diagram etc. but the whole thing is well worth saving. https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Modeling-References/Camoflage-Markings/01-Supermarine-Spitfire the code letter look to be 24 inch by eyeballing the roundel. BUT this is a profile. My sig line exists for a good reason, do not trust profiles. OK, next http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p029.html this is a Vc Trop. your model is Vb. They have different wings due to armament. see here http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/concise-guide-to-spitfire-wing-types.html There are plenty of Vb trop schemes though. On the same website https://www.markstyling.com/spitfiresmkv5.htm Profile 47 (which is actually a Vb! Obviously can't read based on my initial choice!) 601Sqn TZ AB535. In your opinion are the code letters sea gray? Really difficult to tell. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 2 hours ago, matto21 said: Profile 47 (which is actually a Vb! Obviously can't read based on my initial choice!) 601Sqn TZ AB535. In your opinion are the code letters sea gray? again http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p018.html Quote AB535 Vc 2614 EA M46Special FF 22-2-42 8MU 26-2-42 Cv VcT 23-3-42 Empire Cabot 28-8-42 Gibraltar 14-9-42 Malta 1-11-42 Middle East 1-9-43 FACE 6-2-44 To be honest, i don't like this chaps profiles, they lack 'rigour' , by this, they are done in some graphics program, and lack the attention to detail. Given the sheer amount of profile on the guys site, this is to be expected. these are EXACTLY the kind of profiles my sig line refer too. A good profile is one that shows the source image, or references it. There is a book all about Malta Spitfire V's, there is a review here with sample pages https://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/malta-spitfire-vs-1942-their-colours-and-markings If you just google Malta Spitfires you get loads of hits, this is from out own @tonyot who has written a book on the early days of Malta air defence, and has done a fair few Malta Spitfires himself https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235013571-airfix-148-spitfire-vb-malta-dec-1942/ On 17/12/2016 at 17:46, tonyot said: Nice job,....... have you painted your model in the desert colours from the kit as I doubt very much whether they were actually applied in this context with these markings? It was more likely to be wearing either an improvised (Dark Earth/ Grey Blue (EDSG)) OR official (faded) Temperate Sea Scheme. plus another squadron aircraft,.....the codes were either yellow or light blue; Cheers Tony another from the book HTH?! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Thank you for the very informative response. I get that these profiles are not the most accurate (the fact he has it as a Vb and the airhistory website as a Vc highlights this), I just like the scheme with the filter part painted in dark earth as opposed to other schemes I've seen. I'm not at the stage of painting the upper camo yet so I have time to think about it some more. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Great progress Matt, I can see you’re facing the same challenges I did. Love the paint job on the underside. It looks good when built up, but can’t help to think that this kit should be designed to fall together as it’s a typical ‘first kit’ that dad or grandparents my get for little Charlie. It could be the last too as it’s not easy to get together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto21 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 Thanks @woody37, definitely agree with your comments about ease of build. Managed to get the underside finished and gloss coated last night so hopefully might get a chance to start the camo tonight...if I'm lucky! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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