Double Trouble - Eduard 1/72 Spitfire Mk.IX Build (Questions and a Request)

[SaminCam]

Hi All, 

I think I've been well behaved this year and I've asked Father Christmas for the rather lovely looking Eduard 1/72 Spitfire Mk.IXc Profipack.

 

In looking through the various schemes and ideas for this build I've become a bit overwhelmed with choice but I'm starting to hatch a slightly mad plan to build two of these. The idea is to do one in flight, with a scavenged Airfix pilot, wheels up, etc. To make it a bit special I'm thinking of putting a small motor in to spin the prop and perhaps some LED lights, a battery for these would be in the base of a stand which would then have a suitable plug to connect up to the electrics in the aircraft - sounds fun! A question on this: does the Eduard kit build up ok with the wheels up, it doesn't look like an option in the instructions but must be doable, right? 

For the second one, I'm very tempted by the resin engine, gun bay details and flap sets and I'm thinking to model it with all of these open having seen a great example on the Eduard website. I enjoy making and painting fiddly little things but has anyone on Britmodeller done this conversion, I can't find an example at the moment? The closest I've found is Fozzy's insanely good cutaway Mk1a: 

 

 

If you've made it this far, final question is a request really! I'd like one of these two builds to be UF-Q, a beautiful looking No 601 squadron machine in NMF. Unfortunately the 1/72 Eduard kit with the decals for this doesn't seem to be available at the moment and I wondered if anyone might be willing to do a swap if they have the decals gathering dust in a box somewhere? Message me if you can help and we can see what I have that you need in return! Thanks!

[SaminCam]

Evening all and Merry Christmas! Not much to add to the intro and couple of questions above, except to say "he came!"

 

 

 

The kit itself looks lovely but the resin Merlin, though pretty small, looks incredible!

 

I want to get the Tempest progressed a bit further before really starting with this project but the cockpit and engine is definitely going to be tempting me...

[bigbadbadge]

Wow that engine set looks fantastic. Good luck with your builds.

Merry Christmas 

Chris

[blanco77]

Merry Holidays! Sleep patterns are all over the place, never mind. That resin kit looks impressive, I’ve heard great things about the Ed. Would suggest planning the Ed, cleaning it, prime etc. Get in the zone with current project, then fresh for the Ed? Good luck anyway, exciting. Got my 1.72 Airfix Spit and 109E4 double, a fun project really. Washed it, and cheap rattle can of black primer has come out surprisingly well. I was worried I’d sprayed it too much, but left to air dry, looks good and no details obscured at all. First time I’ve tried a surface coat this way so should be interesting. Now the airbrush, still new at that, and bit daunting! Take care all.

[SaminCam]

9 hours ago, blanco77 said:

Merry Holidays! Sleep patterns are all over the place, never mind. That resin kit looks impressive, I’ve heard great things about the Ed. Would suggest planning the Ed, cleaning it, prime etc. Get in the zone with current project, then fresh for the Ed? Good luck anyway, exciting. Got my 1.72 Airfix Spit and 109E4 double, a fun project really. Washed it, and cheap rattle can of black primer has come out surprisingly well. I was worried I’d sprayed it too much, but left to air dry, looks good and no details obscured at all. First time I’ve tried a surface coat this way so should be interesting. Now the airbrush, still new at that, and bit daunting! Take care all.

 

Thanks mate! Yep, getting in the zone with one project at a time is definitely how I work best, I don't get huge amounts of time at the bench so I find plugging away bit by bit works best for me - at the moment I'm covering the Tempest in rivets, have been at it for a few weeks but will get there soon then progress will jump forwards as wings go on, paint gets sprayed, etc. The Eduard Spit (or Spits) will be a nice change as the surface detail ootb is amazing and doesn't need anything adding.

 

Are you doing a WiP for the Spit and 109? I did something similar a few years ago (posted on here somewhere!) and really enjoyed making both kits. I've not tried rattle cans for primer but don't see why they can't work, I guess you just need to be careful to shoot from a decent distance away and try to not let the paint pool? Airbrushing takes a bit of getting used to but is definitely worth it, a few tips I've picked up along the way:

- It's worth investing in two nozzles, one for fine work, pre and post shading, Luftwaffe mottling, etc, and one for covering bigger areas

- I also have two moisture traps, one at exit of compressor and one at inlet to airbrush, this was probably the biggest "aha" moment as previously I kept getting spattering

- Always clean up at the end of a session. I use acetone - much cheaper than airbrush cleaner

- Wear latex gloves whenever handling model to prevent finger prints

- Ventilate well!