Tamiya 1/72nd scale Spitfire Mk1, K9794, 19 Sq., before January 1939!

[John Masters]

Here I go again...another 19 Sq build and, I hope, one of three Spitfires I'll be building for my project.  I've not built the Tamiya Spitfire before so this is a new kit for me.  It looks pretty good so far from what I have seen.  The decals will be from the Xtradecal sheet that had the Hawk commemorative flight.  Is this will be with no registration and a bog '19' on the rudder.  Very cool.  There is loads of great research on this aircraft and I will include some good links here...

 

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/87251

 

http://spitfiresite.com/2007/09/early-spitfire-mk-i-no-19-squadron.html

 

...and of course, Digby with the poorly placed fence that ended this aircraft's very short career.  

 

http://www.raf-lincolnshire.info/digby/digby_crashes.htm

 

So, there are some issues with the kit, namely that it doesn't have a two-bladed prop, which this aircraft probably had fixed onto its Merlin II.  I'll have the fix that somehow.  Also, the sources say it probably had a Night/Day underside with the control surfaces kept aluminum dope for weight reasons.  The decal sheet has the whole underside in aluminum.  I'll go for the Night/Day look and keep the flaps NMF.

 

So, that's it for now.  I'll start in on her sometime this weekend.

 

Here's some pictures to start...

 

 

 

Sprue, etc...later...

 

--John

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dogsbody]

I seem to recall that the old Hasegawa Spitfire I came with a two-blade option. 

 

 

Chris

[Adam Maas]

The Airfix Mk1a comes with both props IIRC, at least in the 1a/IIa boxing. The regular Series 1 1a boxing lacks the extra sprue with the 2-blade.

[dogsbody]

34 minutes ago, Adam Maas said:

The Airfix Mk1a comes with both props IIRC, at least in the 1a/IIa boxing. The regular Series 1 1a boxing lacks the extra sprue with the 2-blade.

 

This one: https://www.super-hobby.com/products/British-Supermarine-Spitfire-MkI-MkkIIa.html

 

 

 

Chris

[Adam Maas]

1 hour ago, dogsbody said:

 

This one: https://www.super-hobby.com/products/British-Supermarine-Spitfire-MkI-MkkIIa.html

 

 

 

Chris

Yep, that has both the 2 blade and the alternate 3 blade option. 

[John Masters]

Thanks @dogsbody.  And, of course, the Airfix kit is also 19 Sq...😉  I might have to get 2 just so I can build them both!  I'll see if the LHS has them...

 

 

[John Masters]

8 hours ago, Adam Maas said:

has both the 2 blade and the alternate 3 blade option. 

Alas...my LHS do not have this model.  It seems to be a less recent kit (2010?)  I have had to place a bid on one from the UK.  If I win it I'll be ok, although the VAT to get it from the UK to me now is enormous.  As mentioned it comes with a three-blade prop too, so at least I'll be able to get a full build out of the kit after I've cannabalized the two-bladed prop.  Crossed fingers.

 

Here's the sprue, decals, etc...

 

 

I've heard good things about this kit.  The detail looks very nice with no flash to be seen.

 

 

Nice panel lines.  Very delicate.

 

 

--John

 

 

[dogsbody]

Apparently, KP has recently released a Spitfire Mk.I that has a two-blader option:

 

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Supermarine-Spitfire-Mk.Ia-Wats-Prop.html

 

 

 

Chris

[John Masters]

Thanks @dogsbody.  That took care of that.  Now, if I win the Airfix Spitfire, I'll just have another.  Nice the see the KP kit actually has markings for two 19 Sq aircraft.  I might have to restart the 'Spitfire A-Go-Go' I had running couple of years ago.  I also ordered the MkIa Commanders...It has Sq Ldr Briuan Kane's aircraft...

 

 

--John

[bigbadbadge]

Loos to be an interesting project,  that is growing into your own little GB too. Good luck with the bidding .  The Tamiya kit does look nice although the seat looks a bit wierd though.  I do love the look of the 2 blade prop on Spitfires.

 

Chris

 

[alt-92]

Careful John   these recent Spit boxings from KP can be addictive

Over the last year, they also released 3 Seafire boxings, and a couple of Mk.VB & Cs including Aboukir airfilters.

[John Masters]

Thanks @alt-92.  I agree.  I’ve built quite a few of them already!  I find them a very buildable kit with few issues to nag about.  

[John Masters]

7 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Loos to be an interesting project,  that is growing into your own little GB too

Thanks Chris.  I am enjoying the 19 Sq. Project.  I actually have a Farman Longhorn coming.  I think it was the first aircraft they trained on.  I have a feeling it was unmarked.  I also won the Airfix Spitfire so that will arrive eventually,  along with the other Spits from KP.  I'll build this kit up until the prop arrives and wait...if I must!

 

I just had a nice supper and watched 'The Great Waldo Pepper'.  I hadn't seen the film in many years and had forgotten how many amazing flying sequences there were.  A real coup for Tallmantz Productions for sure.  Those aircraft would make a nice project for a future 'Fictional Aircraft GB'...Camel, Triplane, Thomas Morse Scout, Jenny, Standard J-1, the modified Chipmunk used in the outside loop crash...