alt-92 Posted September 29, 2020 Share Posted September 29, 2020 Entry numero 1: The 1975 Spitfire Mk.Vb. All bits accounted for, except the decal sheet. Of course, the decal drawer will provide! 322 (Dutch) Sqn. RAF markings, the options are: W3127 / VL-P 'Soesterberg' AA967 / VL-A AB818 / VL-N BM354 / VL-A 'Malang'. BM515 / VL-P 'Prinses Beatrix' - this one has a reversed scheme as opposed to the standard DG/OG. A British fighter in RAF service, flown by Dutch pilots, modelled from a French kit. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted September 29, 2020 Share Posted September 29, 2020 I made this kit in its black box edition, I was pretty pleased with the result. Later on I found out about the gull wing effect on the fuselage underside and how this kit lacks it, nonetheless it was a fun build and quite detailed in places. Welcome to the GB and good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 Of all the 1/72 Spitfire kits, this is one I know the least about. Will look forward to seeing how it turns out. Nice decal sheet too. Cheers and good luck.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 @Rabbit Leader Same here. Built several Mk Is and a few Mk XVIs, but the Vb always eluded me. Probably because I had one or two of the Airfix Vbs. The Heller version looks like a modification on the Mk I kit, but nice to see the inclusion of the tropical filter. Heller were fond of their separate canopy parts too. Wonder if it can be posed open? I honestly can't remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 4, 2020 Author Share Posted October 4, 2020 We'll find out? Anyways, off we go. For a 1970s kit, remarkable effort in getting the details in. I mean: there's a stick, instrument panel with raised detail, pedals, a compass... Although it's best not to look too close. Square spade control column? So a couple of swipes and it's round now. Obviously, the gap under the instrument panel will get some attention (read: black paint). 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 I agree with your comments about the cockpit. For the scale and era, it's a pretty good representation of a Spitfire cockpit. All the main bits are there, and that was what impressed me with Heller back in the day. No disrespect to Airfix, but in comparison, their Vb released in the same year had not much more than an armchair on a slab of MDF for a cockpit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 Fits pretty good though, and still looks great for a 40+ year old kit Closed up doesn't show very much as usual but that's ok. Fit is very nice. The only thing is that the top seam on the cowling and fuel tank is not really flat enough. The moulding is to blame for that I guess, resulting in a slightly diamond-shaped cross-section. I've carefully scraped and sanded the worst of it, leaving a minimal ridge that's barely visible while preserving most of the raised detailing. While we're at it, dry-fit the bottom wing: Not too bad. No gaps at the rear, minimal on the front. Nothing a smidgen of filler or a sliver of card can't fix. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Nice progress. Even though the cockpit isn't filled with bits, clearly the shape of the aircraft looks good. Well, to me anyway, but then again I'm not exactly an expert 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 Well, the underside is straight as a board & the dihedral is.... non-existent If you would compare this to your Tamiya Spit, you'd notice immediately. I've managed to fudge the wings with somewhat of a slight V in the meantime, but I'll keep most of it out of the box. Should be fun putting this next to the Eduards and Airfix ones 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 3 hours ago, alt-92 said: the dihedral I hope you don't mind I had to look that up 🙄 But, that's ok, you learn something new every day 🙂 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 Wings on. Smidgen of filler at the rear wing root, but pretty good fit. One of the tips is a bit too large so some contouring will take place. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyOD Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 27 minutes ago, alt-92 said: Wings on. Smidgen of filler at the rear wing root, but pretty good fit. One of the tips is a bit too large so some contouring will take place. Oh, that outline. Haven't built a Spitfire in years. I must remedy this situation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 Quick, get some more Heller Spits in! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyOD Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 2 hours ago, alt-92 said: Quick, get some more Heller Spits in! Got a XVIe, but suddenly have a need for a Vb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 On 9/30/2020 at 5:38 PM, fightersweep said: Heller were fond of their separate canopy parts too. Wonder if it can be posed open? I honestly can't remember. Errrr... Nope! Look at the thickness of that canopy! fat chance getting that to slide anywhere. oh well Also, the clear parts are too wide for the fuselage so some trimming and gentle sanding is on the menu. The score so far: Rear Fully fitted: I'm a bit hesitant to take it too far, I'll probably get it to quite near flush but not entirely. Gently, gently.. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 4 hours ago, alt-92 said: Errrr... Nope! Well, that answers my question. Clearly Heller modelled it on the 400mm armoured Perspex canopy. So really not a lot of point moulding the canopy in three sections then? Steve 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 That's a sturdy canopy, pilot must feel safe under all that glass 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 11 hours ago, fightersweep said: Well, that answers my question. Clearly Heller modelled it on the 400mm armoured Perspex canopy. Or on a bank vault. 11 hours ago, fightersweep said: So really not a lot of point moulding the canopy in three sections then? Well... what is that saying again? "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" or something. It's such a remarkable combination of 70's moulding tech & aspiring detail... Did you see the punch-out window? Yet if you look at the windshield frames, you wonder why they didn't use the same subtlety there.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 6 minutes ago, alt-92 said: It's such a remarkable combination of 70's moulding tech & aspiring detail... Did you see the punch-out window? Yet if you look at the windshield frames, you wonder why they didn't use the same subtlety there.. It's interesting to compare the 1975 Vb with the 1979 Mk XVIe, especially the cockpit side walls and canopy. On the XIV the side walls are beautifully thin and the canopy isn't bad either, so a massive improvement in only four years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 22, 2020 Author Share Posted October 22, 2020 Sooo... Ocean grey on. Hard to tell with the plastic colour I sprayed the Sky band and the spinner - pin glued with PVA - and taped the band off. Exhausts are not the kit ones, but went through the spares and picked the extra bits off of the AZ Spit Mk.Vc from the MTO GB build. They will get some rust pigment once they're added. Maybe the punch-out window will survive the masking 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 I'm liking the look of this, a yesterday's kit though it may be. The detail evident in your last photo reminds me of a Heller Mk I, I think it is, that I have in stock, maybe similar era. I really must get around to moving it on one day. I'm keen to see this come along though. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 1 minute ago, stevehnz said: I'm liking the look of this, a yesterday's kit though it may be. So do I I'm a bit of two minds, though. On the one hand I'd want to correct/detail, on the other hand build it as is. 1 minute ago, stevehnz said: The detail evident in your last photo reminds me of a Heller Mk I, I think it is, that I have in stock, maybe similar era. I really must get around to moving it on one day. I'm pretty sure the Mk.I was the basis for this kit, having been released three years earlier. Looks like the Mk.I moulds ended up with Modelex in Argentina as it's not seen again after the Heller-Humbrol boxing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyOD Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 On 10/8/2020 at 10:15 PM, TonyOD said: Got a XVIe, but suddenly have a need for a Vb. Mission accomplished! 😁 I’m enjoying your build. That canopy is a piece of work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 Well, waddayaknow! Used AML mask set for Spits, which has served for four kits now Despite the raised detail, just minor touchups needed. It's getting less and less sticky, maybe I can eek just one more out of this one. Prop's waiting for yellow tips and the spinner is already dosed with Sky. Nearing the finish line! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fightersweep Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 That is a really nice finish. Looks great as is, but will really pop with the decals on. Not seen the Heller Vb until now, and it shapes up really well. Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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