Fritag Posted November 28, 2021 Author Share Posted November 28, 2021 (edited) At this rate I’m gonna have to declare this bloomin’ thing built soon. Fancy that - I might get to do an RFI! That’s if Spittie survives….I managed to sort of half drop it earlier on and break off the port leg and starboard leg-door. Luckily that was the only damage… Somehow the newly fixed pitot survived and there were no paint chips or scratches. A bit of drilling and then pinning with thickish fuse wire for reinforcement and to help pose the leg at the correct angle - and she’s fixed. Plus added the downward signalling light. Painted the inside of the clear lens with Tamiya clear red. Which is actually not a bad match based on some photo’s I took of the IWM Mk 1a - although them photo's might be a bit dodgy on the colour balance and I think actually the lens should be a bit more of an amber colour . (don't tell anyone). Top signalling light and radio aerial fitted. The light looked quite toy like on the sprue ands when dry fitted so I micromeshed it to a duller finish and to make it a little opaque. I’m pretty sure that exposure to the elements would have done similar for real I read somewhere that sometimes the top signalling light was overpainted in black or blue - but I wasn't sure enough of the facts to do that here. Nav lights built up with some Gator’s Grip. The tail light cover is a bit pointy for real and so another little blob of Gator’s Grip will be needed here. It dries clear (obvs.) so whilst the tail light lens can stay clear, the wing lights will need to be painted red/green. Lightish and shortish exhaust staining. The theory here is that they were trying to keep her clean remember Used Tamiya weathering powders again - soot, oil stain and rusty brown, I haven't added a whitish stripe to it as by my study of old photo's that only seems to be noticeable on the more extrensively stained aircraft. Finally fitted the cockpit door. It's a lovely moulding and even has little piano hinges that stick out slighty and could be hooked over the framing to help location. Tried it with and without the crow bar and decided it looked better without - as more of the door structure was visible. The port side exhaust staining is also done. And now I think all that’s left to do is: IFF aerials from stretched sprue (I've drilled the location holes through the stars on the fuselage sides). Fix the rear view mirror. Paint the wing nav lights Fit the prop Fit the sliding canopy section - which is a bit of a tight fit and stands too high and proud. Got a plan how to deal with that - I think. Cripes - that's it. Not much of the to-do list left. Edited November 29, 2021 by Fritag Additional text + typo 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 Ouch! Great save though. I gotta say Steve she is looking mighty fine, great work mate and a very worthy addition to the museum. best Iain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 It feels strange to say I'll be sorry to see a Spitfire build come to a close, but this has been a truly wonderful build 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 More excellent work there Steve, especially on the exhausts. Very much taking note there! James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 11 hours ago, Fritag said: .I managed to sort of half drop it earlier on and break off the port leg and starboard leg-door. 😱 That must have been a heart wrenching brief moment Steve. Just reading it had me going there for a bit....... But excellent save, and the closing activities are looking grand. I especially like that open cockpit door. It's not just the door in that example, but also everything you see around it, perhaps the worn inner wing too. All totally convincingly real. So, coming to a close, I'll look forward to that and the RFI, but then, what next............🤔 Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 25 minutes ago, Terry1954 said: but then, what next............🤔 Is'nt there a pair of Hawks in a holding pattern somewhere? A really stunning Spitfire Steve, a joy to watch you work your magic on. Stay safe Roger 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Glorious weathering and detailing, Steve - I'm really looking forward to seeing her in RFI Also, great save on the broken leg, it must have been one of those moments.... Ciao 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 15 hours ago, Fritag said: And now I think all that’s left to do is: Oozes quality from every angle: this photo's my favourite so far Steve when it comes to showing all those classy paint effects to full effect. 👏 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.au Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Looking absolutely spot on. I shall be a bit sad to see this Spitfire done, it’s been such an enjoyable one to follow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted November 30, 2021 Author Share Posted November 30, 2021 (edited) Well - I think I'm done. I do. I really think I'm done on this build. ( I don’t think that’s original - I might have read it somewhere recently ) Quick few photo’s (p’raps not the best iPhone photography ever). I wasn’t fussed about building (another) Spitfire - but I’ve grown quite fond of this one. She gave me an opportunity to play with chipping/oil effects. Tried to be restrained and stick to a look that I could justify from photo’s of the 1:1. I confess that the finish on the exhausts and the prop blades are amongst my favourite bits. Little things - little minds etc. etc. I mustn’t look to closely or I’ll start fiddling with it again…. Edited December 1, 2021 by Fritag rearranged photo’s and more text 21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.au Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Beautiful work, a result to be proud of for sure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Gorgeous! (I'd better not look back at what I did with this kit.... ) Perfectly built, spot on weathering, beautiful all round! Ciao 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Yup, that's done. Absolutely perfectly 🥂 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Excellent finish - Bravo sir! I bet you’ll be sorry to see it go? Iain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Lovely job. Just love the paint chipping and overall finish. And all done in under 23 pages! Justin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendie Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Fritag said: Well - I think I'm done. I do. I really think I'm done on this build. Cyclic? Absolutely astounding build Steve. Astounding! Sheer admiration for the subtlety of the wear and weathering, not to mention the display of quality skills throughout the build. Got anything in mind for your next build? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 My colleagues before me have said it all, and indeed left me a bit short on superlatives Steve, but........ An absolutely superb job all round. A true masterclass in modelling at its best, and certainly one of the best Spitfire models I have yet to see. Love it, and thanks for the entertaining and educational journey. Oh, and look, just 23 pages.................😱 Terry PS note absence of any comments relating to a pair of ...................🤐 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elger Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 what a masterpiece! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 ^What they all said. A truly magnificent build Steve, I'll make sure to bookmark it ready for when I get around to building a Spit James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 Luvverly. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 Tasty. Very tasty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 And you call yourself a modeller! I think a better description would be artist. And a bloody good one at that! 👍 Cheers, Bill 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 Beautiful work. Ive thoroughly enjoyed following this build. Well done. James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted December 1, 2021 Author Share Posted December 1, 2021 Thanks for all the kind comments chaps - very much appreciated (deserved or no ) 23 hours ago, Bedders said: And all done in under 23 pages! 23 hours ago, hendie said: Got anything in mind for your next build? 22 hours ago, Terry1954 said: PS note absence of any comments relating to a pair of ...................🤐 I know's what you guys are about. In decreasing order of subtlety! RFI is up here: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted December 5, 2021 Share Posted December 5, 2021 Wonderful Sunday catch up. And she’s done. Simply beautiful. Those exhausts are fantastic. Thanks for the ride. Johnny 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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