Spitfire Fighter - Tiger "Egg Plane"

[Keif]

My first WIP thread. So lets see how this goes.

When I got back into modelling last year (Covid/Lockdown/Furlough......argh!), I made a couple of "Egg planes". Always wanted to add the Tiger Spitfire to that collection.

So.......

 

 

On top of the standard kit, I wanted to try and add a bit more detail, so I bought the Retro wings Cockpit detail kit to add to it.

 

So with the box opened and sprues laid out i have this to play with.

 

Note - You get stickers and decals with this kit, I will be using the decals.
 

Now, as you can see from the pictures above, this Spitfire is designated a RF-K code. Nothing strange there, however my late Dads initials were RKF.
This got me thinking, do I make this Spitfire a small tribute to my old man. The man who got me into Modelling, and my love of Aircraft, which has then me to the job I have?

Seems too much of a concidence to miss.

 

Not decided to keep it as RF-K which would have been assigned to 303 Squadron.........

 

Or, change it to RK-F, while the RK squadron code prefix was assigned to 131 Squadron in 1939, it was never actually used. When they were reformed in 1941 and had Spitfires, they used the NX Sqaudron Prefix.

Saying that, a bit of poetic licence always helps us.

 

So, will see how this build goes, and try and share it with you all, while being something that bit different than the normal aircraft build.

 

Thanks for looking

[Jackson Duvalier]

I've never built an egg plane, but I can see the appeal.

 

Now, a cockpit detail set for an egg plane... that's a new peak meta-level for obsessive modelling.  😄

[Tim R-T-C]

Looking on with interest, I recently picked up this model and the interior too.

 

I definitely think the tribute codes would be a lovely choice.

[Keif]

On 30/07/2021 at 04:48, Jackson Duvalier said:

Now, a cockpit detail set for an egg plane... that's a new peak meta-level for obsessive modelling.  

Yes, however it is for good reason, as the canopy is more "bubbled" the cockpit is very on view.

Planned on showing the detail kit, so here goes.

It adds the some more detail of the cockpit side panels, currently they're flat.

 

 

The seat gets a bit more more detail, and obviously adds the harness.

 

The Control column gains more detail and loses the blockiness of the kits

 

You get some rudder pedals to cover the plain kit versions, and a dress up piece for behind the seat. Still quite plain, but better than the nothing on the kit.

 

 

The rear bulk head gets more detail and rivit holes.

 

The smooth wheel wells have an insert each.

 

and finally some main under carriage wheels. The kit has some blank wheels with the spokes as decals/stickers.

 

So all in all worth it IMO.

Sadly the build start got slightly delayed, but it's on my radar now (must try to avoid the temptation of the Lego kit my wife bought me)

[Keif]

So, time to start building this little Spitfire Vb

 

The instrustions for the detail kit tells you to completely remove the rear canopy location lugs, but doesn't mention anything about the front lugs, which are in the way to place the cockpit sides.

So I carefully cut away the front canopy location lugs and dressed flush. (This side slightly hacked, the other a lot smoother. Both covered when assembled)

 

I cut out the resin cockpit sides and dressed the burrs, constantly trial fitting to ensure it sat as best it could.

 

and the other side fitted. This side was a bit of a pain, as to get the right, the bottom of the panel isn't as well fitted. will correct it if needed when the floor is in place.

Then glued them in place, clamped to help them sit at the correct curve of fuselage sides.

 

This kit can be "clipped" into place, As I wasn't sure if any fettling is needed for the rear bulk head/floor assembly to get the fuselage sides to close properly, I decided to saw the location pins away so they can't "clip" into place. They locate enough so I can dry assemble and disassmble easily.

Then a quick coat of grey primer.

 

It was at this point, I realised, i'd not removed the rear canopy locations, this is need to fit the rear cockpit dress up piece. The instructions say to fully remove them. I'm going to look at just removing the vertical bits first, so I still have some of the location feature. Can decided if it looks right and remove the rest if needed.

Going to paint the cockpit area and wheel wells Tamiya XF-71, Woke up in the middle of the night and realised i've not got any. So ordered it this morning, have a few days, to work on the wings and under carriage.

[Keif]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Planned on posting an update before going on holiday to Jersey for 10 days, but failed. Even though i've done quite a bit more to this.
So i'll try to get this upto date in two or three posts over the next few days.

Once the XF-71 arrived, I got to work giving the cockpit sides some colour, and added some black, silver and red detailing.

 

While the green was in the airbrush, I painted the seat base, rear bulkhead, control column and instrument panel.
Then brushed on the "leather" tan, seatbelts and the black and grey panels on the instrument panel.
Then added the detail to the clock/dials etc with the paint pens.

 

Put then all together with the detail kits rudder pedals. To give me a cockpit like this.

Slight bit if bleeding has been touched up. Will post updated pictures when the fuselage is together, which as it now looks like this......