Dunny Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Hi All, My next project will be Tamiya's lovely Spitfire Mk.IXc. The wife gifted me this as a birthday present 18 months ago - I've periodically pulled it out and had a little peek and rapidly put it away again, because I was frankly a little intimidated. I don't normally model in this scale, and I guess I didn't want to risk ruining such a lovely kit. However, with mojo in a healthy place I've decided to give it a red hot go! Here's the box art: This is a very high quality affair, and a very full box! Here's the sprues: That's a lot of plastic! Now although I knew that this would build beautifully OOB, as I did not buy the model (??) I thought I'd indulge in a few extras: The wheels look superb as does the cockpit door (and separately moulded crowbar, which will look lovely in red 🤣). On @shortCummins recommendation I've invested in a Yahu instrument panel (thanks for the tip John!), and I'll be trying out HGW seatbelts for the first time. The kit provides for a number of schemes, including the ubiquitous EN398, Johnnie Johnson's mount. Although I was sorely tempted by this scheme, I wanted to spray the markings, and therefore selected a Montex mask set: The lower scheme depicts MH526, as flown by Pierre Clostermann whilst part of 602 (City of Glasgow) Sqn. I actually want to depict this aircraft: This is MJ586, as flown by Clostermann whilst the squadron was part of 2nd TAF based at Longues-sur-Mer during July 1944. I'll therefore need to adapt the a/c serial and figure out how to represent the kill tally (the squadron and a/c codes also look more compact than the 'other' LO*D - hmmm). The partial worn invasion stripes will also present a weathering challenge! This will not be a quick project and I might have other WIPs running concurrently, but I'm now quite excited to be getting going on this icon - wish me luck! Thanks for looking, Roger 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 By all accounts the Tamiya kit is a state of the art kit with the only tricky bits being the removable engine covers, I have had this kit and several other Tamiya 1/32 super kits in my stash for quite some time but keep putting off building any of them, Intimidated is probably the right word for it and I am a dedicated 1/32 builder. So I will pop in now and again to see how you get on. with it, I'm just about to start a 1/32 scale PCM Spitfire IX which I will finish as JE*J and like you I will use Montex Masks for the markings.. Cheers Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 1 minute ago, spitfire said: By all accounts the Tamiya kit is a state of the art kit with the only tricky bits being the removable engine covers, I have had this kit and several other Tamiya 1/32 super kits in my stash for quite some time but keep putting off building any of them, Intimidated is probably the right word for it and I am a dedicated 1/32 builder. So I will pop in now and again to see how you get on. with it, I'm just about to start a 1/32 scale PCM Spitfire IX which I will finish as JE*J and like you I will use Montex Masks for the markings.. Cheers Dennis Thanks Dennis! I very much look forward to seeing your JE*J take shape - happy to share tips and learnings as we go! Happy modelling, Cheers, Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Brilliant, what a wonderful gift from your wife, you are a lucky man Roger. Really looking forward to this I have the same kit with extras too. I will say that once you start down the 32nd scale road you will love it and hopefully build more. I love a good Spitfire and will follow along with great interest. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 27, 2021 Author Share Posted June 27, 2021 23 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: Brilliant, what a wonderful gift from your wife, you are a lucky man Roger. Really looking forward to this I have the same kit with extras too. I will say that once you start down the 32nd scale road you will love it and hopefully build more. I love a good Spitfire and will follow along with great interest. Chris Thanks Chris, I don't normally venture up-scale due to space (and competency) restrictions. However, given that Blind Freddy could make a fair go of this kit, I'm sure I'll be fine! I just want to take the time and do it justice, so the normal pace may not be apparent. As you say, I am a very lucky man! Cheers, Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 5 minutes ago, Dunny said: Thanks Chris, I don't normally venture up-scale due to space (and competency) restrictions. However, given that Blind Freddy could make a fair go of this kit, I'm sure I'll be fine! I just want to take the time and do it justice, so the normal pace may not be apparent. As you say, I am a very lucky man! Cheers, Roger Hi Roger, take your time and enjoy it, you can always have a break and build another , no you see why I have distractions when I was finishing my 32nd Tiggie and Spitfire I had a few others on the go. We will be hear to offer support and encouragement too. I have some 32nd scale projects in the pipeline too. Good luck with your build Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 Hi All, Well I've finally got started on the Spit! As inspiration I've been re-reading this: Although there is reference to LO*D within these pages, there was no differentiation between MH526 and MJ586, so no clues there . I started out by masking the canopy during the week (actually during a rather tedious evening meeting with folk in Europe and the US!): Although Tamiya thoughtfully provide the masks, you do have to cut them out yourself. No big drama, and the tape is nice and thin. Next I drilled the lightening holes in the bulkheads: The central spar was particularly buttock clenching as it was so delicate, but survived intact Here's a shot of the Yahu instrument panel, which is a thing of beauty: I think I'll use the compass in conjunction with the kit part. Here's the glazing under a coat of the interior colours (Tamiya call out flat black for the frame of the windscreen): Finally, here's the fuselage halves after a coat of primer, base coat of black, and then interior green, mask and aluminium: Both were sprayed from an angle to leave a 'shadow' effect, which shows up much better to the naked eye than in the photo! More to come later, Thanks for looking, Roger 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 Hi All, Another quick update. I sprayed the seat red-brown, and then dry-brushed it with mid-stone to give it a bit of life. I also sprayed the resin side door: The level of detail on the latching mechanism is simply astounding. I'd highly recommend this inexpensive addition as it is so visible with the door open - even comes with a separate crowbar! 🤩. Next I turned my attention to the Brassin wheels. Here they are freshly sprayed: I'm trying out Flory pigments for the first time, so here they are after a liberal dusting, and a dry-brushing with MSG to pop out the detail: Pretty happy with them Here's another shot with the door grubbied up and dry-brushed with aluminium: Finally, here's the cockpit starting to go together - you can see the PE armour has been added: That's all for now - detail painting looms tomorrow! Thanks for looking, Roger 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 Hi Roger It's great to see this started and some fab progress. The wheels look good and did mot know about Flory pigments will have to look them up. Yes the door is absolutely stunning with the level of detail I have these for all my Spitfire models too. Great work fella. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 9 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: Hi Roger It's great to see this started and some fab progress. The wheels look good and did mot know about Flory pigments will have to look them up. Yes the door is absolutely stunning with the level of detail I have these for all my Spitfire models too. Great work fella. Chris Thanks Chris, The pigments are quite a revelation! You can just brush them on and build up the desired grubbiness level, and knock them back with a damp cotton bud if required. They certainly give a pleasing effect to my eye, Cheers, Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 4 minutes ago, Dunny said: Thanks Chris, The pigments are quite a revelation! You can just brush them on and build up the desired grubbiness level, and knock them back with a damp cotton bud if required. They certainly give a pleasing effect to my eye, Cheers, Roger Thanks Roger will have to check them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 That's a really solid start, looking good. Cheers Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortCummins Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 5 hours ago, Dunny said: Here's a shot of the Yahu instrument panel, which is a thing of beauty: I think I'll use the compass in conjunction with the kit part. Here's the glazing under a coat of the interior colours (Tamiya call out flat black for the frame of the windscreen): that is really nice I've just ordered one but I might not have the guts to try and pry off the kit version that I glued, I don't understand why Tamiya supply a blue artificial horizon? rgds John(shortCummins) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 1 minute ago, spitfire said: That's a really solid start, looking good. Cheers Dennis Thanks for the kind words Dennis - much appreciated! 1 minute ago, shortCummins said: that is really nice I've just ordered one but I might not have the guts to try and pry off the kit version that I glued, I don't understand why Tamiya supply a blue artificial horizon? rgds John(shortCummins) You know you want to John - fortune favours the brave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff G Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 What tool did you use to drill out the holes in the bulkhead? A teeny dremel, I assume? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 8 hours ago, Jeff G said: What tool did you use to drill out the holes in the bulkhead? A teeny dremel, I assume? Just a twist drill with a 0.7mm bit (0.5mm for the smaller holes) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 Hi All, Some good progress today! I started out with the instrument panel. After detail painting the bulkhead I added the 3 wires on the left hand side: After a pleasant couple of hours detail painting I got to this: Assembly was pretty straightforward, as everything fitted beautifully. Here's before: And after: I then added the HGW seatbelt, which was hellish fiddly, but I think it looks rather spiffing: And here ready to close up: That's as far as I've got - hope you all have a good day's modelling! Thanks for looking, Roger 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Looking good Roger, great painting and I love the way this builds up. The IP looks wonderful, I will have to take a look at mine to see if I have the yahu panel or not. Great work fella, looks awesome all together. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 Thanks Chris, The Yahu panel is definitely worth the investment - detail is superb. HGW belts also good if fiddly, Cheers, Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Looking good, very much like a Spitfire, the Yahu panels are superb used them on my last 3 Spitfire builds. Cheers Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 6 minutes ago, spitfire said: Looking good, very much like a Spitfire, the Yahu panels are superb used them on my last 3 Spitfire builds. Cheers Dennis Thanks very much Dennis. I agree, the Yahu panels really do lift the level of detail, Cheers, Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 3 hours ago, Dunny said: Thanks Chris, The Yahu panel is definitely worth the investment - detail is superb. HGW belts also good if fiddly, Cheers, Roger All ordered, along with Seatbelts and a new resin exhaust, SWMBO is giving me one of her stern looks now!!! Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 12 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: All ordered, along with Seatbelts and a new resin exhaust, SWMBO is giving me one of her stern looks now!!! Chris Don't you dare blame me. Oh go on, I am too far away to feel the pain 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Don't worry fella, I'll take one for the team there😄. You may be far away but she knows people!!! I have ordered today so reckon it will all arrive on Friday when she's at work anyway, I can sneak into the mancave and if questioned , I have had them for ages😉 Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev The Modeller Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 On 18/06/2021 at 10:38, spitfire said: By all accounts the Tamiya kit is a state of the art kit with the only tricky bits being the removable engine covers, I have had this kit and several other Tamiya 1/32 super kits in my stash for quite some time but keep putting off building any of them, Intimidated is probably the right word for it and I am a dedicated 1/32 builder. So I will pop in now and again to see how you get on. with it. I'm the same as Dennis although not exclusively 1.32 builder, I just feel my current skill level can't do the the kit justice. I'll be closely following the build which looks like is off to a great start 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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