Spitfire 1a R6691 PR-J * Flt Lt F J Howell 609 Sqn * Airfix 1/24 - Weathering at last

[HOUSTON]

On 5/30/2021 at 6:50 PM, Johnson said:

@HOUSTON, Thank you! It was a fun build.

 

This probably isn't the end of the whole build as I feel a bit of restrained weathering is in order. The plane is supposed to reflect R6691, Flt Lt Howell's Spitfire in August 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain and would have had a few marks here and there. But I need to experiment before I risk spoiling the finish and that will take a while. So as with the Heller GB last year, R6691 is going back in the hanger a for a while as I'm off to the Bf 109 STGB. Anyway, here's where it's at, hope you like them and many thanks for all your support and most encouraging comments in the last 10 months.

 

As I promised, a few 'assembly finished' photos:

 

 

 

 

 

Back in a while, cheers!

 

 

Charlie, 

I had to re-read the thread just to view your EXTRAORDINARY  and IMPECCABLY STUNNING build.

     

What a SUPERB build with outstanding and IMPRESSIVE detailed

workmanship shown in your Spitfire. 

And a lovely Tribute indeed.

KUDOS. 

 

[Johnson]

14 hours ago, HOUSTON said:

And a lovely Tribute indeed

Thanks again for your very kind words @HOUSTON. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to do another Airfix 1/24 Spitfire Mk.1a, a little earlier than this BoB example, LO-B 'BOGUS'. And I still haven't managed to find the courage to weather it, which I really find difficult.

But a few more 1/72 builds first which I have to say I'm finding very hard after the size of the 1/24 Spitfire!

Best wishes,

[Biggles87]

I’ve just slipped back to 1/72 for a GB ( first time in over 25 years ) and am also finding it very difficult, especially the tiny resin bits.

 

John

[224 Peter]

The announcement of the new 124th Spitfire IX and the CAD images on the airfix website caused me to re-read this thread, it was as captivating today as it was those years ago.

I was delayed in starting the Mk 1 and now I'm glad as I plan to build the Mk IX in parallel with the Mk 1, using much of the Mk IX detail as a reference for the Mk I. I think it will be fun! 

 

 

 

 

[Johnson]

31 minutes ago, 224 Peter said:

I plan to build the Mk IX in parallel with the Mk 1, using much of the Mk IX detail as a reference for the Mk I. I think it will be fun! 

Hi Peter,

 

It certainly will! I'm looking forward to the release, it looks superb. And all the bits that I had to scratch build for the Mk.1 are already there. hope you're keeping well and I'm looking forward to another visit to the Boscombe Down museum.

 

Best regards,

[224 Peter]

Charlie, 

 

Yes, I'll get my pal to scan and 3D print the bits needed!! 

 

Aim to re-visit in March/April. 

We will have the Tornado F1 T, ex BD that arrived at the end of last year, the EE P1 and Avro 707 from  Manchester and the Beagle Basset from Boscombe Down. 

Also arrived since you last came down are the JP5, ex BD and possibly the Hawk, ex BD.  The JP5 is a bit say, it was flying in private ownership when someone managed to fill to take off at North Weald. The AIB report will be interesting as it was above takeoff speed...when it ran off the end of the runway. 

 

The Lancaster B1 Special is making great progress and the final fit out starts next month. 

 

 

 

[Johnson]

56 minutes ago, 224 Peter said:

Aim to re-visit in March/April

I certainly will. From your museum we went to the nearby Army Flying Museum which in comparison was dreadful. Looking forward to the next visit.

 

Cheers,

[224 Peter]

Most museums are run by professional museum specialists.

 

BDAC is run by and staffed by, retired members of the RAF, Army Air Corps and people from industry obsessed with aircraft and the history of aircraft in South Wiltshire. 

We trust our visitors to respect our exhibits and the staff.  So far that trust has not been misplaced, perhaps because we are not a mainstream visitor attraction.  

The last thing the members want, speaking for myself, is a bunch of "professional museum administrators" telling us how to run our collection. 

 

[Johnson]

Ever since I 'finished' my Airfix 1/24 Spitfire 1a (over a year ago), it's been sitting on the shelf nagging me. "Too clean!" said the Spitfire "do some weathering!"

 

I'm a complete wus when it comes to weathering. I've seen some wonderful results here on BM... and some not so good . Easily overdone if not careful.

 

Lacking anything else to do today (not SWMBO's view I hasten to add), I tentatively got Flt Lt Howell's plane down from the shelf.

 

Too Clean!

 

Look at all that unmolested sky paint!

 

First challenge was the wing root where Flt Lt Howell enters the cockpit. I used Mrs J's grey Faber-Castell watercolour pencil. I did try the silver but it was far too bright and shiney, with tiny sparkly silver bits, nah! Have you looked at bare metal on a plane? It's usually dull grey. A smattering of grey around the ammo covers and the engine cowling fasteners.

 

The other half of my admittedly very simple weathering technique is to use Tamiya Weathering Master, 'soot' in this case, brushed on dry mostly but wet around the petrol filler to represent spillage. The advantage of applying it dry with a fine brush is that it can be built up slowly. These are the results.

 

I've gone for the 'less is more' technique. Light exhaust stains on the fuselage (100 octane burnt fairly clean) and ammo streaks on the wings.

 

Possibly more oil staining? And I overlooked the wheel wells - I'll add a bit of dust and mud staining.

 

 

So far so good (I think). OK, it's pretty minimal weathering but I'm pleased with the results and I can always add more. Removing it is much harder.

 

Thanks for looking. cheers!

 

 

 

[Ray_W]

Wow Charlie, this is the "project that keeps on giving". You will have to consider 1:1 next time.

 

Ray

[Johnson]

16 minutes ago, Ray_W said:

You will have to consider 1:1 next time

 

I've made a start Ray;

 

 

Came pre-weathered!

[Planebuilder62]

Dear Charlie

Your build of this kit is inspirational. So many of your questions I have had have been answered.  I remember buying one of these with the £2 I got from my Granma for my 10th  birthday back in 1972. I have one on the shelf, hope to build it soon with all your learning.

 

Regards Toby

[Johnson]

7 hours ago, Planebuilder62 said:

Your build of this kit is inspirational. So many of your questions I have had have been answered.  I remember buying one of these with the £2 I got from my Granma for my 10th  birthday back in 1972. I have one on the shelf, hope to build it soon with all your learning.

 

Thanks for your kind words Toby, I hope you have fun with your kit!

 

I'm looking forward to the latest Airfix 1:24 Spitfire IX joining it.

 

Cheers,