Valhalla Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 (edited) That's a good explanation, makes sense 🙂 Edited September 2 by Valhalla Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 The aircraft started life at MT819, hence the RAF Northern Europe camouflage colours for most of the airframe. After arriving on 457 Sqn in Australia, on 20-12-44, it was damaged twice. First when a Liberator exploded on take-off at Morotai Strip 24-2-45. After repair it was next damaged in a landing accident on 14-7-45, when it belly landed at Labuan strip following damage from AAA over Keningau. It was declared a write-off on 22-5-46. The different green shade was, I guess, the RAAF local Foliage Green. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted September 4 Author Share Posted September 4 I had airbrushed another coat of Klear. When dry I set about the application of decals. I apply the main markings before the stencils. It struck me as I applied the ‘shark’s mouth’ under the chin, how fortunate it was that I hadn’t chosen to have the panels off and engine exposed. I would not like to guess where to cut the decal for the various panels. I used plenty of Microset and Microsol. The under-wing roundels will need the ammunition ejection slots cutting out when dry. I did think of another way to utilise the big stand and display the aircraft in flight. I cut a length of the clear frame X. I then cut off the lug on the top of the stand and drilled a hole for the clear rod to slot into. I also drilled a hole in the underside of the fuselage, where I’d previously cut the slot. The rod was then cut to length, and the unit assembled (without fixing permanently). 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john redman Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Can the gear be lowered or does it have to be glued? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted September 4 Author Share Posted September 4 No moving parts like the old kits. Modellers demand scale accuracy rather than operating gimmicks these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Fascinating build review. Can’t wait for the final episode(s). Too big for my limited space though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Those Sharks Teeth do look good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuffing Billy Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 (edited) I'd like to build an early version with the extended wingtips. Is anyone aware of a company that market these ? I could make them from scratch, but if they are available to buy, I'd rather do that. I've searched far and wide for them but with no success. I'm somewhat annoyed that they're not included in the kit ! Edited September 5 by Chuffing Billy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Rimmer Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 5 hours ago, Chuffing Billy said: I'd like to build an early version with the extended wingtips. Is anyone aware of a company that market these ? I could make them from scratch, but if they are available to buy, I'd rather do that. I've searched far and wide for them but with no success. I'm somewhat annoyed that they're not included in the kit ! Do you mean the high altitude mk.VI and VII? I could be wrong, but I'm pretty certain that they were based on the mk.V, and would have the earlier radiator configurations along with other changes for the pressurised cockpit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 I think Billy may be talking just the tips and not the entire wing, but I've not seen these in 1/24 before 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Rimmer Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 16 minutes ago, Valhalla said: I think Billy may be talking just the tips and not the entire wing, but I've not seen these in 1/24 before Very true. I'm not saying I'm right or anything, and certainly don't want to come across as a JMN or anything - I don't actually know if the mk.VIII's were fitted with the long wingtips or not but I just have a feeling the high altitude Spits were based on an earlier airframe. That being said I'd like to see Billy's conversion either way - It's really interesting to see someone convert one of these big kits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 In "Spitfire The History", there is evidence of extended wingtips for the Mk VIII. I seems early production models had them Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat_Ern Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 My reference book on Mk VIII depicts these wing tips on JF404; 32 Squadron and JF447; 601 Squadron Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Rimmer Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 (edited) @Topcat_Ern and @Valhalla - That's cool, you learn something new everyday. I can see Billy's point about it being a shame about the tips not being included then. Even more looking forward to his conversion if he posts it. Apologies Richard for the short thread high-jack. Really liking those decals, the shark mouth looks like it worked really well. Edited September 5 by A J Rimmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Or is he on about the MK VII 🤔, that has a different wing shape altogether. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 Whenever Airfix introduces a new kit there are those unhappy because it is the wrong variant, the wrong scale, or has the wrong markings - and that's without any perceived accuracy issues. As modellers we have a choice, we can build OOB or we can do some modelling to get what we want. I applied the decals using Microset and Microsol agents. Somehow, I managed to lose one of the W letters and had to mackle another together from white decal strip cut to suit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 It is a great kit, in all senses of the word. In this scale, Airfix can really show the world what they’re about. For me, it’s just too big. But that’s an individual opinion, which I don’t think will be a common view. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Shame about the W but looks like a great recovery, well done. 2 hours ago, Ratch said: we can build OOB or we can do some modelling to get what we want Completely agree with your sentiments here although building OOB can also need adding some modelling skills to get the designers intended result 🙂 Ian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Rimmer Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 It's often good to view a kit as a blank canvas, that the modeller can with with what they wish. Looking good Richard, good recovery with the W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 Really nice Ratch, but I agree with sailorman it's too big. But as I say your doing a stunning job and making it look very very good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted September 6 Author Share Posted September 6 Not blatantly obvious, but I laid down all the stencils and walkway lines today. I agree, the bigger scales do not suit everyone, but they offer much more detail. For those who build at a sedate rate, they offer many hours of enjoyment in the building experience. I've been lucky enough over the years to build all Airfix's Super Kits (except the Hellcat, which is still in my stash, and the Sea Harrier) and they certainly make impressive models - these latest toolings even more so than the earlier kits. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 I remember filling in all the rivets in the GR1 Harrier once with green Squadron Putty. Bit too much detail on that one 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted September 8 Author Share Posted September 8 I protected the decals with a mix of Klear and matt varnish. I assembled and painted the gun sight. The navigation light reflectors were brushed with silver. I resumed weathering selected areas of the exhaust stubs by airbrushing Vallejo Model Color 70800 180 Gunmetal Blue, and Vallejo Model Air 71069 Rust (Metallic). I added the clear parts for the gun sight. I then secured the windscreen and blown canopy fixing them with G-S Hypo Cement. I then painted Vallejo Model Color 70934 186 Transparent Red for the port and Vallejo Model Color 70936 188 Transparent Green for the starboard navigation lights before fixing the lenses. Now I fitted the exhaust stubs and the under-wing aerial. I added the navigation light lenses, and rear-view mirror fixing them with G-S Hypo Cement and removed all masking. I think this is a great kit. Loads of detail and hours of involvement in the building. There are plenty of build options too. These super-kits may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there is a market for them and this offering will have pleased some modellers I must admit that a Mk.VIII was not on my wanted list, but I have enjoyed the experience of building the kit. It deserves to sell well for Airfix, who I thank for the opportunity to build it. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 That's a lovely build Ratch and thanks for sharing the build with us. Few more pics please if not too much trouble 🙂 I've not used G-S Hypo before as always used Micro Kristal Klear for attaching canopies so interested to find out it's benefits. I'm looking forward to getting this kit (Maybe when there's a 20% off offer 🙂 ) Cheers Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modeling maniac Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 I absolutely love that spit, but as I have said it's too big formy small space. Lovely job lough an might be a job for a custom decal set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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