1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I

[Dunny]

Hi All,

 

My latest completion is Airfix' Spitfire Mk.I, finished as FY*Q of 611 (West Lancashire) Sqn, based at RAF Duxford in Autumn 1939. Here's a photo of the aircraft:

 

 

There are a few unusual elements to this scheme:

 

- The lighter blue of the fuselage roundels

- On the starboard side, the tail of the  'Q' is truncated (presumably painted over)

- There is a lighter panel (again, probably freshly painted at MU)

- The lack of an a/c serial

 

This is a Mk.I right at the start of the conflict, so it does not have any seat armour, has the early armoured windscreen, 'pole' antenna and no IFF wires. This was originally part of a dual build, along with a Mk.XV Seafire, to show the evolution of the aircraft across WW2 (the Seafire was from July 1945 - geddit?). Sadly the Seafire did not make it, as every single one of the decals practically exploded on contact with water . Here's the last photo of both together before its sad demise:

 

 

The scheme was completed using Tamiya (DG), AK Interactive (DE & White), Vallejo Nato Black & Aluminium. I had an Eduard etch set for the cockpit, and a set of Eduard masks. I finished the gun port covers using my now favoured method of painted Tamiya tape, and the wing walk markings were masked and sprayed. Anyway, on with the photos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I've never been a particular fan of early Spitfire schemes I've actually grown quite fond of it over the build, and it makes for a slightly less-seen version than the ubiquitous BoB schemes. I may have to repeat the Seafire build, and I'm certainly going to extend the Spitfire types in the collection!

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roger

 

*EDIT*

 

Hi All,

 

As there was some commentary over the appearance of the finished scheme, I couldn't resist taking some photos under natural light to try and offer another perspective. As a comment was also made that the Spit looked as if it were wearing a desert scheme, I thought it would be rude not to include a desert scheme to compare and contrast  (the same Dark Earth paint is used on both Desert scheme and TLS - please excuse the missing antenna wire on the Tomahawk). I hope that this provides a better representation of the finished model - I also slipped in a Defiant as another early war RAF comparator, just for sh*ts and giggles! Here's the photos:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Roger

Edited December 2, 2021 by Dunny
Photos under natural light added

[Josip]

I will only comment the painting. I just don't see Dark Earth and Dark Green on your model. It looks to me as some sort of desert camouflage. 

[Dunny]

1 hour ago, Josip said:

I will only comment the painting. I just don't see Dark Earth and Dark Green on your model. It looks to me as some sort of desert camouflage. 

Hi Josip,

 

Thank you for your comment. The Dark Green is Tamiya XF81, and the Dark Earth is AK Interactive AK2012. Tamiya XF81 is noted by many for being a close match to RAF Dark Green, so perhaps it is the lighting or photography which is making a difference to your eye?

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[Bertie McBoatface]

I think that's a very good model, nicely built and painted, and intriguing too. Did you find any reason for the light blue roundel? I wondered if there was a French connection in any way. 

 

(The colours look a little light on my monitor too but still recognisably Dk Green and Dk Earth. As you say, I'm sure that's an image problem. )

[Remus389]

Fabulous job on that Spit! 

[Dunny]

3 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said:

I think that's a very good model, nicely built and painted, and intriguing too. Did you find any reason for the light blue roundel? I wondered if there was a French connection in any way. 

 

(The colours look a little light on my monitor too but still recognisably Dk Green and Dk Earth. As you say, I'm sure that's an image problem. )

Thanks Bertie!

 

I have found no evidence for the lighter roundel - perhaps a paint shortage at the MU? It does seem a little too light for even the pre-war roundel blue, so perhaps a French influence as you say? It does add a certain je ne sais quoi (groan),

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

 

[Bertie McBoatface]

I speculate:

 

611 was an Auxiliary Squadron crewed (before the war) by the well to do of Lancashire, so money and a bit of flamboyance would have likely been in evidence.

 

The Freemasons of West Lancashire, also with connections to money, have a strong Light Blue element to their heraldry as is clear from their ties! See this link https://www.westlancsfreemasons.org.uk/

 

Perhaps the roundel is a 'secret handshake' acknowledgement of the pilot's membership of the Masons?

[Dunny]

3 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said:

I speculate:

 

611 was an Auxiliary Squadron crewed (before the war) by the well to do of Lancashire, so money and a bit of flamboyance would have likely been in evidence.

 

The Freemasons of West Lancashire, also with connections to money, have a strong Light Blue element to their heraldry as is clear from their ties! See this link https://www.westlancsfreemasons.org.uk/

 

Perhaps the roundel is a 'secret handshake' acknowledgement of the pilot's membership of the Masons?

I like your theory Bertie - perhaps it was the OC's aircraft and he took the liberty? Intrigue indeed. Or maybe he was French? 

[keith in the uk]

Perfect , a nice rendition of an early Spitfire .  

[Retired Bob]

The camouflage looks good on my pc Rodger, a very nice Spitfire model but one thing to note, the crowbar fitted to the door were not installed in Spitfires until after the BoB. 

[jackroadkill]

That's a lovely-looking model, sir.  How did you find masking and spraying the wing walk markings?  I've been thinking of trying this as decals can look a bit too.... decalish?  I've got a hankering to build a very early Mk1 from my Eduard dual combo and sprayed walk lines might well be a feature if I can pull them off convincingly.

[Dunny]

13 hours ago, Remus389 said:

Fabulous job on that Spit! 

 

11 hours ago, keith in the uk said:

Perfect , a nice rendition of an early Spitfire .  

 

Thanks for the kind words gents - much appreciated!

 

11 hours ago, Retired Bob said:

The camouflage looks good on my pc Rodger, a very nice Spitfire model but one thing to note, the crowbar fitted to the door were not installed in Spitfires until after the BoB. 

 

Well noted Bob - thank you. Will have to see what I can find in the spares box

 

11 hours ago, jackroadkill said:

That's a lovely-looking model, sir.  How did you find masking and spraying the wing walk markings?  I've been thinking of trying this as decals can look a bit too.... decalish?  I've got a hankering to build a very early Mk1 from my Eduard dual combo and sprayed walk lines might well be a feature if I can pull them off convincingly.

 

Thanks JRK! It's very straightforward, and quite effective (make sure you don't overspray the roundels!)

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[Epeeman]

Excellent work on your Spit, Roger - good finish too

 

Regards

 

Dave

[Dunny]

5 minutes ago, Epeeman said:

Excellent work on your Spit, Roger - good finish too

 

Regards

 

Dave

Thanks for the kind words Dave - much appreciated!

[bigbadbadge]

Oh mate this is lovely   I love the early scheme and you have done a cracking job on this, your painting is fantastic as usual Roger.  The lighter roundel certainly adds interest . 

I am sorry I am late to this one, I have a note!!!

Great work and you can never have too many Spitfires!!!

Chris 

[Vulcanicity]

Top notch! One tiny detail thing which you might have missed (hard to tell on a phone screen)- does the original aircraft have the very earliest (flat topped) sliding canopy section? 

[stevej60]

Cracking job Roger I'm a big fan of these early Spitfire schemes and that's a great example of how to do one justice!

[Dunny]

14 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Oh mate this is lovely   I love the early scheme and you have done a cracking job on this, your painting is fantastic as usual Roger.  The lighter roundel certainly adds interest . 

I am sorry I am late to this one, I have a note!!!

Great work and you can never have too many Spitfires!!!

Chris 

Thanks Chris! I've become quite fond of the early scheme, and your late attendance is excused...

12 hours ago, Vulcanicity said:

Top notch! One tiny detail thing which you might have missed (hard to tell on a phone screen)- does the original aircraft have the very earliest (flat topped) sliding canopy section? 

Thanks for the kind words! It was very difficult to tell from the photo whether the aircraft had the flat screen, so I went with Auntie's recommendation (which was the bubble canopy)

11 hours ago, stevej60 said:

Cracking job Roger I'm a big fan of these early Spitfire schemes and that's a great example of how to do one justice!

Thanks for the kind words Steve - much appreciated!

[bigbadbadge]

1 minute ago, Dunny said:

Thanks Chris! I've become quite fond of the early scheme, and your late attendance is excused...

Thanks fella I willtry not to let it happen again !!! The early Schemes and machines are quite charming.

Great model Roger

Chris

 

 

[David H]

On 11/21/2021 at 1:44 AM, Dunny said:

Hi Josip,

 

Thank you for your comment. The Dark Green is Tamiya XF81, and the Dark Earth is AK Interactive AK2012. Tamiya XF81 is noted by many for being a close match to RAF Dark Green, so perhaps it is the lighting or photography which is making a difference to your eye?

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

Yeah, i used Tamiya XF-81 on mine too. I mixed my Dark Earth from scratch. Must be a fluke in the colour balance.

 

-d-

[Dunny]

5 minutes ago, David H said:

Yeah, i used Tamiya XF-81 on mine too. I mixed my Dark Earth from scratch. Must be a fluke in the colour balance.

 

-d-

Thanks David - it certainly looks 'right' to the naked (albeit middle aged) eye. I might actually take some more photos under natural light just to prove a point!

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[Edger]

Lovely Spit that, there is something wonderful seeing a very early war scheme and being Auxiliary makes it even more wonderful.

[Dunny]

38 minutes ago, Edger said:

Lovely Spit that, there is something wonderful seeing a very early war scheme and being Auxiliary makes it even more wonderful.

Thanks very much Edger - glad you like it! It is nice to see something a little different on a Spit...

[tonyot]

Cracking job Roger,...... what a lovely Spit and a great subject choice too. I know eactly what you mean about early Spit`s growing on you,..... had it myself recently too!

 

Please don`t give up on the Seafire,..... there are other decal options available,....... I will help if I can,..... think I have some old Airfix decals filed away for a BPF machine if that is the scheme you are after? See here;

 https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/airfix-48-spitfire-seafire-iii-269069289

 

Cheers

           Tony

 

[Dunny]

6 hours ago, tonyot said:

Cracking job Roger,...... what a lovely Spit and a great subject choice too. I know eactly what you mean about early Spit`s growing on you,..... had it myself recently too!

 

Please don`t give up on the Seafire,..... there are other decal options available,....... I will help if I can,..... think I have some old Airfix decals filed away for a BPF machine if that is the scheme you are after? See here;

 https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/airfix-48-spitfire-seafire-iii-269069289

 

Cheers

           Tony

 

Thanks for the kind words Tony - unfortunately the Seafire has been consigned to the deep, but really appreciate the thoughtful offer. I will have another do at some point...

 

Cheers,

 

Roger