ToonarmY Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 (edited) Hi all this is my Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire, the first model I have done in roughly 20 years, since I was about 12 years old and my first try at airbrushing. I bought this kit as a practice kit before I start on a couple of 1/32 Spitfires I didn't want to mess up. I learned quite a lot whilst doing this one. The historical accuracy might not be 100% as I mainly wanted to practice how to put a model together, how to paint and weathering techniques. Lessons learned: -Do not paint small green items in the garden. Once you drop it on the grass its gone forever. Crawling around like Honey I shrunk the kids. -Microsol and Set didnt soften the decals very well and created a tent effect. Ended up tearing a couple. Bought Mr Mark Softer and found it much better. Will be stenciling some on the next model. -I need to buy a work desk to build on, stooping over a worktop with no seat made this quite difficult, standing up throughout. Any future tips welcomed. Edited June 11, 2020 by ToonarmY 41 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Well that’s a darn good effort! Don’t think you need any advice as it looks like you know what to do, but a work bench would make your life easier and save a lot of backache! The speed l work at l’d be stood up for 6 months!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 That is one fabulous practice kit! It looks amazing. 1 hour ago, ToonarmY said: Do not paint small green items in the garden. Once you drop it on the grass its gone forever L O L . Advice duly noted, though I normally spray with cans in the garden in my booth of sorts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonarmY Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 10 minutes ago, Abandoned Project said: That is one fabulous practice kit! It looks amazing. L O L . Advice duly noted, though I normally spray with cans in the garden in my booth of sorts. If your a spitfire enthusiast you will notice this model is missing a rear view mirror. The ants have it now 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Very nice model, first attempt or not. Well done.👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Great looking Spitfire and a great comeback build. ... Ive been using Microset and Microsol since the 1980’s, Ive never had a problem with either of them before. I wonder if you had a bad batch or something else wrong it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigster Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Looks good, but I think,the wheel wells should be the same as under-surface, rather than silver. Zig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 It looks very nice to me especially for a first time. Your skills will only improve with time. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhutchi Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Looks good to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booty003 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Superb Spit and top marks for building it stood up....!!! Top, topperer marks for the first time using an airbrush too - very smart finish. Funnily enough, I've sometimes had similar problems with decals using Microsol as well, a strange kind of rising bubbling effect that doesn't then settle. Something to sit on must be the next purchase for your modelling arsenal though!! Welcome to the madhouse as well.....!! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonarmY Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Great looking Spitfire and a great comeback build. ... Ive been using Microset and Microsol since the 1980’s, Ive never had a problem with either of them before. I wonder if you had a bad batch or something else wrong it ? A few people have mentioned some Tamiya decals are quite thick. Maybe that was the cause. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonarmY Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 49 minutes ago, zigster said: Looks good, but I think,the wheel wells should be the same as under-surface, rather than silver. Zig Cheer, I might do that with the next one. It would have actually been easier to do them all one colour too. Definitely will be getting a table and chair to work at next time on the 1/32 scale. Looking forward to getting stuck into another one. Quite fancy doing a Sherman Firefly tank now too, oh dear it begins.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 That's a beauty. It puts my efforts to shame, that's for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Welcome back and that's a stunner for first airbrush. Look forward to more of your builds! Dermot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerfkiller Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Hi what a beaut model!! you clearly know what you are doing!! one day I will too produce that quality regards George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky210 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Beautiful Spitfire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Hi There, Mr. Mark Softer and Setter are designed for use with Tamiya decals and I've found them to be great with them. Microlsol and Microset don't touch them at all. Really good looking kit there. Cheers, Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 First model in 20 years, eh? Well, one wouldn't know from looking; that's a great return to our hobby sir! 😀 You've done a much better job than I did on my "return" many years ago. 😉 That looks like the work of a real "up and comer". Welcome back with an impressive Spit! *** here's my crude effort at returning to scale models, back in the '80s: My first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Very nice Spitfire and great work on the airbrushing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Well, that's excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattheCat Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Is there a nicer way to come back to the hobby than with a Spitfire? Yes. To do it with a really nicely done Spit. Congrats. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie(kinda) Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 FIRST attempt with an airbrush??! Crikey, I'm too scared to even contemplate spraying paint about. That is a very nice Spitfire. I'd be chuffed if it was mine; hope you are! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 Nice work! 16 hours ago, ToonarmY said: -Microsol and Set didnt soften the decals very well and created a tent effect. Ended up tearing a couple. Bought Mr Mark Softer and found it much better. Indeed. Tamiya decals are too thick--and too ornery IMHO--to care much about Microsol/Microset. My approach is to toss them and use aftermarket decals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattheCat Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 1 hour ago, dnl42 said: Nice work! Indeed. Tamiya decals are too thick--and too ornery IMHO--to care much about Microsol/Microset. My approach is to toss them and use aftermarket decals. Daco decal setting solution for me - several layers (the soft version, the strong one easily melts acrylic paint!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holzhamer Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 After a long hiatus and a first time airbrushing you present us this beautiful Spit? Can’t wait to see one of those big brothers of him here soon 😉 beautiful work, no one would tell it’s your first with a AB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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