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Soviet 1:48 Eduard Spitfire Mk.IXe


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After building a couple of Fantasy Flight Games Star Wars figures, I can highly recommend them if your after a quick “mojo restorer”, and having watched a documentary on Prime called “Empty Skies”, about Battle of Britain fighter pilots, I thought I’d get back to a more “normal”, for me anyway, build, yet another 1:48 Spitfire, this time a Mk.IXe.

A while ago Roman Schilhart built a suburb 1:72 scale “Soviet” Mk.IXe Spitfire…

 

To my mind this is a very nice yet “different” scheme for a Spitfire and one that I’d like to have in my display cabinet. Roman’s model was 1:72 scale, that size is far too small for my tired old eyes and sausage fingers, so I’ve got hold of a 1:48 Eduard Weekend edition, 84138, to use for my build.

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AML have a decal sheet that allows for one of seven different “Soviet” schemes.

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Whilst its not exactly the same scheme as Roman’s I’ve decided to use this scheme…

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…with a couple of changes.

The major difference will be that I’m opting for “clipped wings”, according to the AML sheet, she should have “standard” wings but I want to build a Spitfire with the shorter ‘clipped’ wing so this one will be it.

I’m sticking with the white tail, I really like that, and I’ll probably add a Soviet “crest” as shown on Roman’s model as I think it adds to the overall look. This scheme’s lightening bolt is white rather than the red of Roman’s, but I can live with that.

 

The other thing I’m going to do is to “overspray” a "base" green and grey camo’ with the Russian solid green colour.

I know that this is probably incorrect as I think this scheme was for “victory parades” and the aircraft would be looking at their best, rather than “used” as mine will be.

 

I’ve built a number of Eduard Spitfires previously, as this kit is a weekend edition, with no PE, I’ve bought a couple of aftermarket pieces to help with the build…

 

Eduard steel seatbelts

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Barracuda Cast upper cowling.

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I’ve chosen the Barracuda version rather than the Eduard single piece cowl as the Eduard version, I’ve used for a previous build, is too large! go figure?

 

 

 

Next I’ll be making a start on the cockpit, where else?

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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2 hours ago, Roman Schilhart said:

John,

I feel honored that my 72 scale model has inspired you.

The arrows along the fuselage sides are extremely attractive, aren't they?

I wish you a smooth and successful build, best greetings from Vienna!

thanks Roman

 

I'm always attracted to "different" schemes and you did a really nice job on yours, mine will be slightly different, being overall green rather than green and grey but if it comes out half as nice as yours I'll be very happy.

I agree that those arrows are nice, they are so dynamic, they make the aircraft look as if its going full speed even when sat on the ground

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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17 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Looking forward to this one John 

Chris

thanks Chris

 

I really like the Eduard Spitfire's, I wish they'd do something about they way they've engineered the exhausts and the wheel wells could be a little less complicated?, but both the cockpit and exterior detail is very nice, and who doesn't like a Spitfire?

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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As with all of my previous Spitfire builds, 5 1/2 to date (the 1/2 was an Eduard Mk.VIII that my puppy decided was his new chew toy!) 2 Tamiya Mk Vb's and 3 Eduard, a Mk VIII, Mk IX & a Mk XVI, I started by removing various parts from the main sprue(s) and preparing them for a coat of Stynylrez black primer.

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Masking was applied to certain areas to help with the future “glue-up”.

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Some of the sub-assemblies were put together.

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Both the “lightening holes” and seat harness slot were drilled/opened.

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…and some additional plumbing added to the front bulkhead.

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Stynylrez black primer was then applied.

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Next I’ll be applying the “base” colours for the cockpit.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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The rear of the cockpit was given a coat of Xtreme Metal AK479 aluminium.

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This was then masked and grey/green was sprayed to the forward part of the cockpit and other relevant parts.

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Next I’ll be applying some “detail” painting.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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Another good start John. I'm with you on the unusual schemes as well, it's nice to build something outside the norm now and then. This one looks like it'll be really attractive too

 

James

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2 hours ago, 81-er said:

Another good start John. I'm with you on the unusual schemes as well, it's nice to build something outside the norm now and then. This one looks like it'll be really attractive too

 

James

thanks James

 

I really liked you Hellcat drone scheme, as I had the Eduard "dual build" version I may be stealing your scheme later in the year, so many projects on the list, I must "pull my finger out!"

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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With the “base” green/grey and aluminium colours applied it’s time to add some detail painting.

First up was vallejo 70.995 German grey.

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Then some Mr Metal Color brass.

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vallejo 70.918 ivory was used for the throttle control and spare gunsight bulbs.

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Mig steel was used to pick out various switches, leavers and other items.

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The compressed-air cylinders were painted with some mig MIG-203 ghost grey.

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Next I’ll be looking at the seat.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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48 minutes ago, 81-er said:

I might actually stand a chance of finishing that Hellcat finally, it's had the first bits of red go on it

 

James

I'm looking forward to seeing it 👍

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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The seat had previously been given a coat of Stynylrez black primer and I then made a “russet” colour mix with vallejo 70.814 burnt red & 71.034 sand brown.

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I wasn’t really happy with the colour, too pinkish so I added 70.940 saddle brown to the mix…

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Much better, in hindsight I think I could have used the saddle brown for the seat colour on its own.

 

To simulate wear on the seat I highlighted to edges with 71.077 wood which is an orange brown colour.

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Connecter parts were painted with Alkan BS:283 grey/green…

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…and the cushion given a coat of vallejo German grey…

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…then highlighted with German grey lightened with some Panzer Aces 305 light rubber.

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Next I’ll be having a look at the instrument panel.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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The dial bezels were painted red, green and yellow.

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I mentioned that I’d built a number of these Eduard kits before, previously I’d used either their PE IPs or Yahu aftermarket so that I had an unused IP decal, on a clear background, so I used it on this IP.

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The weekend kit provides a “flat” decal so out of interest I used that as directed…

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I can now choose between these an select the one I like best.

 

 

 

Next I’ll be assembling the cockpit.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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2 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Great work John this is coming on well.  The seat look great and the IP looks really good in the last image.

Chris

I agree Chris, the "clear" version is far too bright

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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The cockpit is made from a number of different sub-assemblies.

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I’ve used the “flat” kit supplied decal for the IP, the “clear” version tat I used on the “3D” IP was far too bright.

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For the first time in any of my Spitfire builds I’ve included the cartridge rack alone the front of the seat.

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I’ll be adding the PE seat belts later in the build.

 

To help align the vertical frames I attached one of the fuselage sub-assemblies to the fuselage before attaching the frames and rear cross member support.

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Next I’ll be adding some weathering to the cockpit.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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Everything looked a little bit too clean for liking so I set about adding some wear and tear.

First thing was to simulate some scuffs and scratches with a little dry-brushing using Tamiya XF-82 ocean gray.

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Tamiya brown panel liner Wes use to “dirty up” everything.

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Next I’ll be sorting out the PE seat harness.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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1 hour ago, 81-er said:

Shaping up to be a rather nice office there

 

James

thanks James

 

I think the the Eduard cockpit is far better than the Tamiya version, at least for the MkIX, the "new"(ish) MkI could be a different story, and with a little bit of planning, when to paint and when to add sub-assemblies etc. the cockpit turns out really nice, having said that most of it won't been seen once the fuselage is button up.

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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Before I attached the seat to its bulkhead I needed to add the PE seat harness.

 

One of the lap belts was threaded through a slot in the side of the seat and then fixed in place.

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Followed by the other lap belt.

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The two parts of the shoulder harness were glued together.

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The smaller of these was fixed to the rear of the seat…

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…and then the rear armour plate attached.

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Lastly the larger shoulder harness was threaded through the hole I made in the head armour plate and then glued in place.

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Next I’ll be buttoning up are fuselage.

 

until next time

as always, any suggestions, criticisms or comments will be gratefully received.

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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Looking good John, the details look great, great paintwork.   I have ordered the Barracuda upper nose cowling panel, I did have Eduards own replacement but couldn't believe that they have made it too long!!!

Thanks ever so much for the heads up.

Chris

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That’s looking really good - I like the scheme you’ve chosen. I really don’t know much about Spitfires in Soviet service (other than they received some), so it is an unusual and attractive scheme as far as I’m concerned. 
 

Steve 

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2 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

Looking good John, the details look great, great paintwork.   I have ordered the Barracuda upper nose cowling panel, I did have Eduards own replacement but couldn't believe that they have made it too long!!!

Thanks ever so much for the heads up.

Chris

thanks Chris

 

I've used Eduards own replacement as well and was gob-smacked when it was too long! I've not cut the Barracuda version off its moulding block yet but "holding one up against the other" test it looks a good fit, we'll soon see?

 

2 hours ago, Steve 1602 said:

That’s looking really good - I like the scheme you’ve chosen. I really don’t know much about Spitfires in Soviet service (other than they received some), so it is an unusual and attractive scheme as far as I’m concerned. 
 

Steve 

thanks Steve

 

I don't know too much about the Soviet Spits either, when I saw Roman's version I thought I'd give it a go. I really like the white tail, a bit like some of the Aussie aircraft, and that lightening stripe along the fuselage looks a bit special as well!

 

37 minutes ago, mark.au said:

Looking really good so far John 👍

thanks Mark

 

I really like the way Eduard have you build the detail in the cockpit, compared to Tamiya's MkIV's its far superior, especially the seat, to be fair Tamiya supply a pilot so the "short" seat isn't noticeable once he's put in but it would look quite "odd" without a pilot? I hear good things about Tamiya's "new" MkI however I've an Eduard MkI in the stash so I'd need a compelling reason to buy Tamiya's offering, perhaps a couple of Battle of Brittain Spitfires?, now there's an idea.

 

rgds

John(shortCummins)

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