Neil Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Always liked the 'look' of the Spitfire Mk XII, maybe not as elegant as the Merlin powered versions, but with the clipped wing tips, pointy rudder and a whacking great Griffon engine stuck on the front, they did look very purposeful. Grabbed one of the Airfix Spitfire Mk XII's a while back, did not want to go down the route of 'all singing, all dancing' modifications and added detail and such, just wanted something to build more or less straight out of the box. The only real additions I made were adding a seat harness, instrument panel and cutting out the flap-down indicators on the upper wing surfaces, and scratch building the indicators from plasticard and rod. Before anybody says anything, I am fully aware that the standard procedure was to retract the flaps after landing, however, they COULD be lowered for inspection, or maintenance, or whatever, so as far as I am concerned there would of been perfectly viable circumstances when the flaps may of been in the down position, so that is how I have depicted them. It also makes the model more visually interesting, from my perspective. The model was airbrushed in Xtracolour enamels, thinned with cellulose thinners, and all decals were standard kit ones, straight from the box, and they responded well using Micro Set and Micro Sol decal solutions, they pulled down nicely into all recesses and details. Panel shading was achieved mostly with Paynes Grey oil-colours, thinned with White Spirit, and some low-key paint chipping applied by small brush. I know that the kit is not perfect out of the box, but enjoying the build was my main priority in making this particular Spitfire Mk XII. Nice to now have one of the lesser-know variants in my display cabinet. 70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortCummins Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 very nice build, paint and weathering 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Really nice 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 That looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Looks lovely,ido like the paint effects too. Great work Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter W Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Great build Neil. This kit has had its share of negativity but I thought it one of the more enjoyable builds in my cabinets. Yours shows that something good can come out of this kit with some simple tlc. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeff Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Spot on! The finish and weathering are great ... it looks like it's seen some action! 👌 Keith 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winded Penguin Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Cracking outcome 👍 The Griffon engined versions are my favourites 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuraiwarrior Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Great looking Spitfire. Elegence and power all in one place. Thanks for sharing Kevin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Looks lovely, you didn't need to add a thing beyond your modelling skills! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubar57 Posted May 8, 2023 Share Posted May 8, 2023 Beauty. When I get to mine it shall be built out of the box as well. As long as it says "Spitfire" on the boxtop and doesn't end up looking like a Fw190 when built, I'm happy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dog Posted May 9, 2023 Share Posted May 9, 2023 Superbly built and finished. No need to apologise for how you want to go about building YOUR model. Top notch👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted May 11, 2023 Author Share Posted May 11, 2023 Thanks for the comments, much appreciated . As I mentioned, I know this is not a perfect kit, it does have faults, but I wanted this to be fun and enjoyable and almost straight out of the box, which Is why I decided not to add masses of extra detail and such. Wanted to build a 1/48 Spitfire Mk XII for a while now, actually. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
112 Squadron Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 This Mk XII is indeed outstanding. You did an excellent modelling job. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Lancaster Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 That’s an excellent finish you’ve achieved! The cockpit looks superb! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Well done on the XIII. I agree with you concerning its looks. The Merlin powered Spitfires look all graceful and somewhat dainty. The Griffon version, especially with the clipped wings, looks menacing and like a hunter aircraft with a brutish look. And, I like your reasoning for the flaps being down. Sounds good to me. Thanks for sharing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr91 Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Ah! My favourite version of Spitfire. Excellent job. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 What a lovely Spitfire!!! Very well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Klaatu Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 Really nice build, love the paint! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted May 14, 2023 Author Share Posted May 14, 2023 Thanks again for the comments . A quick and simple display base using a circular mirror, with a printed information card, ready for this coming Wednesday evening's Club Night. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTB Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 Really liked it Neil!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted May 17, 2023 Author Share Posted May 17, 2023 On 5/14/2023 at 9:40 PM, MVTB said: Really liked it Neil!! Thank you. Also, managing to find a cheap circular mirror to display it on was quite fortunate, it means that the underside can be viewed without needing to handle the model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatG Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Superb! Pat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian C. Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Beautiful job, fantastic paint and weathering! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted May 18, 2023 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Perfectly executed Spitfire 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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