KP 1/72 Spitfire PR Mk.XI from a newbie

[Beardybloke]

And thanks again @Troy Smith, your second post came through as I was typing up my reply!

 

I definitely don't take the photos of clutter, I'm very much here to learn - and I've no problem at all with that being on a build thread of mine

 

I do like that Hurricane, I might have to try some experimentation to get a similar finish. Looks like a trip to get some cheap artists' oil paints may be on the cards.

 

Thanks for the tip on the dump valve, I'll definitely add something. I've now added 'research how to replicate fuel streaks' to my to-do list!

[Troy Smith]

13 minutes ago, Beardybloke said:

 

I'd be very interested to see the F4U prop photos too

rather than repost the lot, in best Blue Peter style, here's one I made earlier

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235108742-hawker-hurricane-mk-i-tropical-73-squadron-north-africa-1942/#elControls_4375766_menu

 

14 minutes ago, Beardybloke said:

particularly the brass on the props

It's very subtle usually.  

this is a desert USAAF Spitfire which has been really scoured 

 

Most probably a Spit Mk VIII from the 31st Fighter Group, as this picture was taken by William J. Skinner, a member of that group, and whose colour pictures appeared in several of Jeff Ethell books a couple of decades ago. Naples 1944 

 

perhaps more typical are the ding on this

Merlin service, 1944 by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr

 

which you need to zoom to really see.  Some dark grey drybrushing on the rear face could be good.

Note, there are several different types of Spitfire blade, even on the same hub, that is what the coloured discs mean, dark pink, yellow, green,  white IIRC,  they show manufacturer and type,  I have seen a list from the manual of colours and types but it's one of those that I can't always refind....  of course in B/W you can't really tell what the disc colour is anyway! 

 

31 minutes ago, Beardybloke said:

and have yet to make my way through more than a few of Etienne's photos - but will certainly be doing so this evening

Always time well spent.   Note, if you change the aircraft type in the address bar it searches them very well. 

I posted what i thought were the relevant images,   but there are some fantastic images

 

I think this is particularly good due to the soft lighting for a very good idea of subtle airframe wear, 

 

Spitfire Mk.IXC      1945 by Etienne du Plessis, on Flickr

dark pink blade dots, 

if you zoom it  you can just see brass chips,  and also note the slight chipping/wear on fasteners and panels, and the way airflow blows stains,  and what I mean about how a subtle oil wash can replicate this tonal modulation.

 

39 minutes ago, Beardybloke said:

that's incredibly helpful

Thank you,  it's a lot easier to do if you know where and what too look for,  easier than doing some modelling,  propped up in bed with the laptop! 

 

this is really worth the time to watch, in particular the 2nd link, though if you have not seen the first film it's a treat as well.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235073834-usaaf-spitfire-pr-xi-color-film/

 

did a few screen grabs here

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235082559-usaaf-spitfire-pr-xi-color-film-screen-shots-venturi-oddity/

 

cheers

T

[Geo1966]

14 hours ago, Beardybloke said:

Well, that looks pretty reasonable to me

Well, it looks very good to me. The blue with the D-day stripes look great.

 

George

[Troy Smith]

On 24/03/2023 at 20:12, Beardybloke said:

Looks like a trip to get some cheap artists' oil paints may be on the cards.

You only need a few, cheap ones are, cheap.  Coarser pigments and lesser quality.   The burnt umber and black I use are from a set dating to 1973 that were originally  my mothers...so they do last!

 

there is a blog here

https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-oil-paints

 

Windsor and Newton get 4 stars, and are not too expensive,  and you only use a tiny amount.   There are modeller oil paints, in mixed colours.

note you can of course thin enamel paint with lighter fuel,  I've not tried it. 

I mainly use burnt umber,  the black and white.   One to consider, which I have in a cheapy set, is Paynes Gray, which is really a dark purply blue grey.

Note, there are different white, Titanium white is a blue white,  you may want a warmer white.

 

I'd look for the 21 ml tubes,  as you won't use much at all, I'd use say a small match head of burnt umber and less of the others. 

Experiment on scrap first.   You also won't use much lighter fuel, 1-2 ml,  but you may want to open the window. 

 

One thing I forget to do try is to put dabs of oil paint on card to draw out some of the linseed oil, but I've not had a problem with it excess oil. 

 

I also use 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jakar-Assorted-Coloured-Pastels-Sticks/dp/B002AF53PA

 

These are pretty chalky,  but a good range of colours.

I use them for exhaust deposit and dust/mud.

 

At first i ground them up, and then I tried first, suing very fine abrasive to make the powder very fine,  make a colour mix you like a pallete, and then add lighter fuel and apply.   Dab it on for exhaust,  for vehicle use, you can make more of a wash.   It sticks really well,  you can scrub it off with  a brush dipped in LF as well,  but some will stay,  I think the fine nature of in a carrier of LF makes it go into very small surface imperfections and stay in them.

I used it for the exhaust on the Hurricane, and on this

 

You can see how dead matt this is.    This is what I mean about doing over the final varnish, you can get an eggshell airframe,  dead matt exhaust and shiny oil leaks.    I once was lucky enough to get to climb on a Hurricane warbird that had just landed, pilot warned to watch the exhaust deposit as it rubbed off easily and was a bit sticky, but was really dead matt. 

 

pic from  https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235073488-spitfire-pr-xix-airfix-72nd-as-i-thought-it-would-be-easy

 

this is how the dust was done on these, the base is oil wash/dry brush

 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235095700-matchbox-176-morris-c8-mk-ii-17pdr-gun-willys-jeep-set/

also

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235104634-pk-78-m16-half-tracknow-with-an-added-p5002-american-infantry-figure/

 

You can use the oil wash on figures as well.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235072084-132-airfix-paratrooper-officer/

 

Bear in mind I use a cheap camera which maybe more flattering as well   

 

I'm just saying what has worked for me,  may not for you,  read the techniques, look at the pics and try them out if you like the effect. 

 

Not that I'm a cheapskate or anything, but seems a lot of modelling product are just something else in smaller containers for saying for modellers...  

 

I've not done much recently, apart from some paint mixing/matching,  which is another rabbit hole entirely...

 

cheers

T

[Beardybloke]

Thanks again, @Troy Smith point taken about the fineness of the pigments! I'm just on the way to pick up my car from an MOT, conveniently situated almost next door to a Hobbycraft which I can check out for paints.

 

I've got some weathering powders in the railway modelling stash that may be suitable, but I have a feeling that a large proportion is 'rust' which isn't really appropriate. If not, I'll have a look for some suitable pastels - although in my case, the overpriced modelling-specific ones may be indicated for space and domestic harmony reasons!

 

Gloss varnish has been applied, though before the decals go on I'll be masking up the underside and re-doing the wheel wells in PRU blue too...

[Beardybloke]

Decals are now applied. Since this photo it's also had a waft of varnish from a rattle can; I can always redo it if needs be.

 

 

The decals aren't the best quality with visible pixellation and the white being out of register slightly; however, I think it will pass muster once some weathering has been applied to blend it all in. Paints are on the way fom an online purchase - the local Hobbycraft was out of stock of most of them, unless I wanted 200ml!

Edited March 30, 2023 by Beardybloke
Wrong photo!

[Col.]

That's looking splendid. Nice work so far.

[Beardybloke]

Finished! Or, at least as finished as it's likely to get for now - I've drybrushed on a mixture of gunmetal and khaki paint for the exhaust staining, but will follow up with some pastels if/when I buy some. The oil staining may be a little heavy, but given some of the photos I'm not so sure! I've also tried to keep chipping and wear to a minimum, with none on the stripes as they'd be (relatively) freshly painted.

 

For a first proper attempt at weathering I'm not too displeased, but comments and criticism are welcome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Enzo the Magnificent]

What an excellent first entry to Britmodeller.     

 

I particularly like the subtle exhaust weathering. 

 

Now that you have dived into the insanity of the groupbuild experience, we expect to see you again.  You are part of the BM Groupbuild Massive.  

 

 

 

[The Rat]

Certainly looks the business! 👍

[Troy Smith]

7 hours ago, Beardybloke said:

but comments and criticism are welcome

Looks really good Steve.

Like the tip vent stains,   and subtle weathering, just enough and in the right places. 

 

I'd suggest an oil wash on the wheel hubs, it will make them 'pop', and the UC legs seem to have been PRU Blue.  I'd also suggest a oil wash on the aileron and elevator joins, just to make them standout.   if you tried lighter fuel, a very thin wash, and a fine brush, just touched onto the join and capillary action should do the rest.   

You may not want to risk a mess up now though. 

 

My critique,  RFI pics,  cutting mats and workbenches really don't flatter.  It's like a cordon bleu meal on a paper plate.   

If nothing else a sheet of pastel A3 paper in a gentle curve makes a neutral backdrop.

 

I don't think you can beat natural light though.  a bright day with a slight haze gives a really soft light,  as seen on MH880 Spitfire.   

 

The Spitfire XIX I posted above is just a faded and grotty baize card table I found,(it was out for rubbish)  which has made the bright green a patchy faded grass colour,  on a storage box which is about chest height,  which means you can easily get a low camera angle,  with park trees opposite as backdrop.  

Early evening with some diffuse light coming through the trees.  And a cheap point and shoot basic digital camera.

 

It's one of my quirks... when I bought a camera in 1995,  a lovely 1965  manual Nikkormat, one of the first rolls of film I shot included the only decent complete model I had...  

http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2011/11/troy-smiths-tamiya-148th-hayate.html

 

You may not have a set up, but you really don't need much,   you can always shoot from further away and crop as well.  

 

A more indepth and better guide is here by @CplPunishment

https://www.vexillummilitaris.co.uk/?page_id=1299

 

If you have a printer,  you can make a background,  this site

https://www.geograph.org.uk/of/airfield

 

has masses of photos of all the UK, I stuck 'airfield' in as search,   there are 1000's of images. 

 

I did find some that were really good,  it's a bit of a rabbit hole of pics ....

 

Anyway,   model has come really well,

 

 

[Beardybloke]

Thanks @Enzo the Magnificent , @The Rat and @Troy Smith

 

16 hours ago, Troy Smith said:

My critique,  RFI pics,  cutting mats and workbenches really don't flatter.  It's like a cordon bleu meal on a paper plate.   

If nothing else a sheet of pastel A3 paper in a gentle curve makes a neutral backdrop.

 

I don't think you can beat natural light though.  a bright day with a slight haze gives a really soft light,  as seen on MH880 Spitfire.   

I do prefer to photograph in natural light if I get the chance, but it was a miserable, grey day yesterday. I might do some of the tweaks to the Spit (PRU blue and some washes on the undercarriage) and re-photograph it rather than being over-eager to call it done!

 

I've made a small photo plank for my 4mm scale narrow gauge railway modelling - looks as though I may need to do something similar for 1/72 aircraft. The photo plank in the picture below (taken in bright sunlight) is very slightly over A4 in size, but you can't really tell it from the cropping. It was also taken with the proper digital bridge camera rather than my (admittedly fairly good) phone camera.

 

 

(If anyone's interested or curious, the locos are whitemetal kits and the carriage is brass, all airbrushed in Phoenix Precision enamels and matt varnish - all of them need some weathering really, but I haven't had the heart yet!)

[Tbolt]

Looks great, well done 👍

[Enzo the Magnificent]

1 hour ago, Beardybloke said:

 

[Col.]

Well done on your first GB completion and done to such a high standard.

[Troy Smith]

On 06/04/2023 at 15:29, Beardybloke said:

I might do some of the tweaks to the Spit (PRU blue and some washes on the undercarriage) and re-photograph it rather than being over-eager to call it done!

Sounds great.   The railway photo is great.   I see a lot of great models let down by not taking the time to at least have a neutral backdrop, my witter is to convince people it's not some deep mysterious art.

I know almost nothing about train modelling, but that look fantastic.

one perhaps for @Heather Kay 

cheers

T

[John Masters]

Lovely Spitfire.  Those KP kits really build up well.  Your paint job is excellent.  I like the weathering.  It is easy to overdo it sometimes.  

Welcome to the Forum!  This way madness lies...😁

[Beardybloke]

18 minutes ago, John Masters said:

Lovely Spitfire.  Those KP kits really build up well.  Your paint job is excellent.  I like the weathering.  It is easy to overdo it sometimes.  

Welcome to the Forum!  This way madness lies...😁

 

Thanks John, I'm quite pleased with how it turned out! I've just finished my second kit in the GB, so I've definitely caught the bug...

[MickE]

That's a lovely looking Spitfire.

[Big Dave S]

Very nice indeed. Would you recommend the kit?

I fell in love with a PR Spitfire at an Old Warden airshow a few years ago, and would like to build one.