1/48 Airfix Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb

[SteveMc]

Hi All

This is my finished 1/48 Airfix Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb

Built OOB. It went together quite well other than a nasty wing join. One issue to look out for is fixing the main undercarriage in the down position. Airfix have tried to do the right thing in allowing you to fit the undercarriage at the end of the build, but the join is very flimsy and the legs only just hang on. 

 

Paints were Tamiya acrylics

XF-61 Dark Green, XF-82 Ocean Grey, XF-20 Medium Grey plus various blacks, aluminium etc.

Weathered with Flory Dark Dirt and Grime washes and Abteilung 502 oils.

 

This aircraft was flown by 133 Squadron RAF which was the third of three Eagle squadrons manned largely by American volunteer pilots, many of whom came to the RAF via the RCAF. It was formed in August 1941 and in September 1942 the Squadron was transferred to the USAAF as the 336th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bertie McBoatface]

Nice one! Thanks for the tip about the undercarriage. I like your photography base. 

[LaurieS]

Very nice work Steve. Looks superb.

 

Bet you spent a good deal of time on all of the effects.

 

Laurie

[F-32]

Nice job, looks great

[LaurieS]

Forgot to add Steve. A very nice set of pictures.

 

Great angled differing views.

 

Laurie

[Spitfire31]

Excellent Spitfire.

 

But the haphazard "worn metal weathering" of the prop blades is unrealistic and also misplaced, since Rotol blades are made of laminated wood. 😁

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[LaurieS]

1 hour ago, Spitfire31 said:

Excellent Spitfire.

 

But the haphazard "worn metal weathering" of the prop blades is unrealistic and also misplaced, since Rotol blades are made of laminated wood. 😁

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

Mmm Joachim your comment re the prop is misleading.  😁 You omitted that the wood would not be seen. Your comments covertly indicate that that wood would be seen.

 

There was some metal under the Rotoloid, Rayoid,

 

Laurie

 

Extract from Edgar Brooks. Which seems to nicely cover (not in wood) the matter succinctly.

 

From quite early in the war, all Rotol propellors were made from wood, either Jablo, Hydulignum, or (rarely) Weybridge Wood. However, the wood would not have been seen, so there's no need to have a weathered prop showing wood grain. Often the wood was covered by a fine metal mesh, then coated in one of three different (black) plastics, Rotoloid, Rayoid, or Schwartz. The leading edges of the blades had a brass sheath, which was still covered by the plastic. The plastic would dull, with weathering, and the l/e sheath could become visible (more at the tip than the hub,) as well, but, when it got that far, the prop was due for repair/refurbishment (remember that any wear/chipping could adversely affect the propellor's balance.)

 

 

https://www.historicgifts.co.uk/des-spitfire.php

Edited August 2, 2021 by LaurieS

[RMCS]

Niiiice 

[SteveMc]

15 hours ago, Spitfire31 said:

Excellent Spitfire.

 

But the haphazard "worn metal weathering" of the prop blades is unrealistic and also misplaced, since Rotol blades are made of laminated wood. 😁

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

Thanks Joachim. Duly noted for future reference.