TommyF Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 After building a Lancaster for the last STGB and just about finishing on time this should be a slightly more relaxed build. My first model since childhood was a Spitfire Mk I so I was keen to try a later mark ideally with different camouflage. This KP Spitfire Mk Vb 'Early' should fit the bill being green and grey rather than green and brown. There are two green and grey options, one with D-Day stripes and one with 'Rutter' stripes, something I'd never heard of. Apparently they were marked this way for Operation Rutter - the original Dieppe invasion plan that never took place in July 1942. A bit more reading required on that. Here's the box, sprues and decals... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Oooh Ive always wanted one of these in my collection, mind if I follow ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Good morning Tommy Welcome aboard and have fun , I will follow your build as I have this kit in my stash but in a different boxing .. Best Regards Patrice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 Really enjoying this build so far. The KP plastic does feel quite soft (I've broken and mended several items already) but a cockpit has emerged mostly unscathed 🙂 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted June 6, 2020 Share Posted June 6, 2020 Hi Tommy Very good job so far .. Best Regards Patrice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 Some progress over the weekend with recognisable Spitfire sections now appearing. The cockpit didn't fit brilliantly but good enough and only a few minor gaps to fill. Next steps; various parts to be added to underside of wings and these two sections joined followed by a coat of primer (Halfords this afternoon all going well). This is only my second Spitfire (classic Airfix Mk1a being the first) and I am really enjoying viewing the many different variants on show in this Group Build. It's a very slippery slope but I've already had thoughts about building a different variant every six months or so, but then there are different schemes, theatres of war, scales etc... 🥴 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 4 hours ago, TommyF said: It's a very slippery slope but I've already had thoughts about building a different variant every six months or so, but then there are different schemes, theatres of war, scales etc... Well, the old adage is true: you can never have too many Spitfires. This one is coming along nicely Tommy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 (edited) On 6/8/2020 at 5:21 PM, Cookenbacher said: Well, the old adage is true: you can never have too many Spitfires. This one is coming along nicely Tommy. Certainly can't. By the time this GB is finished I should have 16 on my shelves (at least), and that does not include 5 left in my stash and another 5 "binned" over the years and there are still one or two gaps in my collection! Interesting looking kit - the sprues seem to show two types of wheel and exhaust and no less than 3 props/spinners, with optional Vokes tropical filter, cannon bulges (I think) and the big ventral long range tank, so presumably several versions available? Coming along nicely Tommy. Pete Edited June 9, 2020 by PeterB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 12, 2020 Author Share Posted June 12, 2020 Fuselage and wings joined. Radiator (under starboard wing), oil cooler (under port wing) and carb air intake (centre) added. Spent several minutes finding this out! Undercarriage assembled and paint applied. Then a coat of Tamiya XF-83 Medium Sea Grey 2 (RAF) as a primer to take stock on any imperfections. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 On 6/9/2020 at 1:02 PM, PeterB said: Interesting looking kit - the sprues seem to show two types of wheel and exhaust and no less than 3 props/spinners, with optional Vokes tropical filter, cannon bulges (I think) and the big ventral long range tank, so presumably several versions available? KoPro and AZmodels have released most Merlin variants in several boxings, including two-seaters. Nice kits. Well worth having a few. Or more. Did someone already say you can never have too many Spitfires? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 Looks very nice Tommy, good kit, great progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) Thank you Britmodellers past and present. As a kid I don't recall having a model that needed painting with invasion stripes. It isn't the easiest of tasks and adds an element of risk to a build. I guess the Operation Rutter stripes may be slightly easier as they are white stripes over camouflage. I started out thinking I would mask the four nose white stripes, paint the grey/green camouflage and then fill in the white. After spending 1/2 hour cutting, trimming and applying tape I realised (after a period of research) that this wasn't the ideal method..! I have now painted a full nose section of white, then masked what will be the stripes and have since painted the upper surfaces Humbrol 106 Ocean Grey matt, looking good to so far, green to follow. Edited June 15, 2020 by TommyF 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Nice stripe work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vingtor Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 According to specification, the spinner should have been white as well. This was initially omitted by the Norwegians, but was done properly the next day or so. Nils 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share Posted June 18, 2020 On 6/16/2020 at 7:00 PM, Vingtor said: According to specification, the spinner should have been white as well. This was initially omitted by the Norwegians, but was done properly the next day or so. Nils I'm tempted but my spinner might have to stay Sky (Humbrol 90) as I've already painted it 🙂 However I have another quandary (aka another beginner's mistake). I have painted the main camouflage gloss green (Xtracrylix RAF dark green) and matt grey (Humbrol 106). I'm hoping a final coat or two of satin varnish will equal things up. Anyone else have this situation? And found a happy solution? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 Your finishing coats (matte, gloss, and or satin) should sort things out. I've had this happen before. Good looking model, too! I love these AZ/KP Spitfires - great for the parts box with all the extra parts (I believe I now have the world's largest collection of 1/72nd scale Spitfire rudders)! Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) Revealing the stripes 🙂 They are a little on the thick side but very pleased with the result (my first ever stripes!) Edited June 20, 2020 by TommyF 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 Looking good with the stripes on, I forgot these had tail stripes also. Hmmm 🤔 me thinks I needs another Vb now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 Agreed, it's looking great in its stripes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 Good progress yesterday evening - painting complete and two coats of thinned satin varnish have evened out the gloss/matt differences. It was the first time I've applied a leading edge yellow stripe and I was expecting problems but it went on pretty well. 😯 Literally as I typed this I noticed the tail wheel was too close the fuselage so tried a gentle adjustment and yes it came off (!). Decals to follow this afternoon after I wait for the wheel to glue back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 Finished 😁 A minimal set of decals applied, photos taken see the gallery for the full set. Thank you to the hosts and all commenting and reacting Britmodellers - a thoroughly enjoyable group build. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Good looking Spitfire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Wonderful Spitfire Tommy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Good morning Tommy Very good job you have done here Patrice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now