Airfix 72nd Spitfire XIX

[Col.]

Plan is to get them done before end of this month Chris as there's a big pile of other projects looming but don't want to rush and spoil them as I'm having fun

Spent ages trying to work out the position and size of the stripes on PS853 but eventually found a photo on the 'net that has shown them clearly. With any luck I'll get them masked and sprayed on Sunday.

[Col.]

Pointed some satin black paint at PS853 for the stripes and did the walkway lines for both at the same time last night. Looks okay so far and finishes all but the detail painting for the other machine. Tried to take photos but had some camera operator issues

Still got some detail work to do on the undercarriage for both but seem to be suddenly and surprisingly close to the decalling stage.

[Col.]

Here's the photos of paint progress so far. Did a little more work on the u/c last night but nothing worth showing.

[Col.]

Decided to concentrate on one at a time in the hope I'd get one finished before this year is out, this also gets around the problem of cold temperatures in the garage and the effect on spraying since I already have the paint on one, so PS853 has been set to one side. The other one - can't decide on a serial for her yet, had a little more detail added to the u/c legs then a representation of the small mesh FOD screen that protects the left cowl air intake made from clear plastic. After a few minor touch-ups a coat of Future was applied and everything is drying now.

Will post a photo in the morning once daylight arrives then think about what markings to apply.

*Edit* Went with PS934 from the Freightdog Models sheet Post War RAF Spitfires

Edited December 28, 2010 by Col.

[Col.]

All the decals are on, including a fiddly three-part squadron badge on either fin that truly tested my patience, and the exhaust stacks are also added. These were painted matt black then dry-brushed with progressively lighter browns until finishing with a cream on the edge of each to represent the heating effects.

The Freightdog decals are good quality and conform well to surface detail and panel lines with a bed of Future but the separate red roundel centres and that three layer squadron badges did annoy me slightly. Perhaps that was, however, more due to my lack of skill than any fault of the decals.

[Mark M]

looks good mate

[Martian]

Looks fantastic!

Martin

[Col.]

Thanks gents. Was about to say all I need to do is a final coat of Future then attach the brake pipes and main wheels but noticed I've forgoten to represent the fuel filler cap in front of the windscreen

Will have a think and decide if it's worth trying to do something without causing undue damage.

[Col.]

Got the brake lines and wheels on last night.

Then did a little more detail painting and a final coat of Klear/Future since I was up early because Fiona started back at work today.

Be a couple days before I get a chance to take better photos during daylight hours but calling this one done. 1 done - 1 to go

[Giorgio N]

The first one looks good ! Wating to see the second one now !

[Col.]

Cheers Giorgio, hopefully will get the second one done over the New Year, almost tempted to get at least one more of these to use some of the other options included with the Freightdog sheet...

[Col.]

Loaded the airbrush with a mix of Humbrol 230 and old MC12 then pointed it in the general direction of PS853 this morning.

Happy enough with the colour when comparing it to photos of the Rolls Royce-owned machine but really need to improve my airbrushing techniques.

[Ed Russell]

I have been following your builds with great interest as I have one or two to do myself.

You have done excellent work on them I reckon.

The Airfix Spitfires are great little kits when all things are considered.

[Col.]

Thank you Ed, hope my experiences and mistakes can help others as they work on what is as you say a nice kit with plenty of potential to build either from the box or with added detail, will you be starting yours soon and what do you have planned for them?

*Edit* Forgot to mention a little of the white on the 'invasion stripes' has pulled away with the masking so next task is to touch in and tidy up that areas. A combination of inadequate surface preparation and poor attention to the edges of the tape has made for more work than should be necessary.

Edited January 1, 2011 by Col.

[Ed Russell]

will you be starting yours soon and what do you have planned for them?

Having done 4 Spitfires in 2010 I will probably tackle a few other things next, but I was planning a 541 Sqn D-Day one and maybe a SEAC one.

[Col.]

Having done 4 Spitfires in 2010 I will probably tackle a few other things next, but I was planning a 541 Sqn D-Day one and maybe a SEAC one.

Have seen a couple of photos showing one in SEAC markings and although it was a preserved machine she looked cracking. Also noticed the next issue of Aeroplane Monthly has an article on the history of a Spit XIX so perhaps that will be useful?

PS853 is meanwhile in the kitchen waiting for the first coat of Future to dry.

[Col.]

Got most of the detailed markings painted on yesterday.

[Col.]

Got the wheels and brake-lines on along with a small aerial behind the rear camera port;

...then the prop and spinner plus a small part that projects out of the cowling. While painting on Klear for the first decals I coated the prop stencils at the same time as they are glossy against the otherwise matt black blades;

...then got the main national marking decals on from the Airfix sheet;

[Inverted]

ooo looking nice! Did you hand paint those markings around the canopy and cowling? If so... u must be mad! looks great though.....

[Col.]

Thanks Chris, I think

All the small markings were indeed hand-painted. Spent ages looking for a suitable size and shape of white 'C' for beside the fuselage roundels before cutting two out of some '0's on a 48th scale Hasegawa RN Phantom sheet. All going well until I used too large a size for the fuselage serial codes so looks like I'll have to strip them off and try again. Teach me to keep the references within sight Get that sorted and she's almost done!

[sweaty]

Both look truly stunning mate, been watching from the start but too lazy to comment

Jamie

[Col.]

Thanks Jamie very nice of you to say so.

Decided the serial decals needed to change otherwise I'd never be happy with it so out came the sharp knife.

Before;

After;

Next objective is the 'ROLLS-ROYCE' title ahead of the cockpit but not sure how to source the correct size and font as it's a little smaller than my decal stock covers.

[Col.]

Added the aerial, painted the wheels and tyres, then the wingroot walkways while the matt black was open, also a white stripe on the rear face of each propeller blade.

Not much to do now

[Col.]

Calling this one finished.

Had to make a new under-fuselage aerial when the first one broke off after three repair attempts and can't find decals to represent the "Rolls-Royce" title in front of the windscreen so will leave it alone until such time as I either get something suitable or forget about it Will try to get some daylight photos soon for an RFI thread.