1/24 Spitfire IX build review

[Hurricane Boy]

I got this message three weeks ago when I tried to post a picture of a US Navy Test Piot School DHC-2 "Big, Tree Slaying Water Rodent" that flew by while I was mowing the lawn at my daughters place in Maryland. I just thought it was their internet or the fact that I was not at my normal IP address.

Tim

[Ratch]

[Ratch]

Ok, the picture has loaded, now copying the text:

At step 18, I referred to the position of the decals on page 4. There is a bump on part #D34 that prevents the tiny decal conforming over it, so I sliced it off. Maybe not anatomically correct, but tidier. 

[Ratch]

I had to change a word to 'bump' because of the word censor!

Maybe this was the root of the problem, though I don't understand why the text has become emboldened.

[Ratch]

Some of the detail painting was still done prior to assembly, but I tried to ensure that mating surfaces were kept paint-free, touching them up after fixing.

 

I used Mig Productions 00245 Filter 1506 - Brown Filter on the safety harnesses to bring out the detail and add depth.

 

The whole cockpit is well detailed and precision fitting.

 

I found the painting advice useful as my knowledge of this aircraft is sketchy at best. Well done Airfix for the information included on the instruction sheet.

Again, the copied text is bold and cannot be changed. Something weird going on here.

[Ratch]

Construction now turns to the fuselage. Fillets are fixed below the fin on both parts of the fuselage. Step 34 is a preparation for posing the model with the canopy closed. It is my intention to have the canopy open, so I omit this step and move on. Except I go back. I realise I’d forgotten to apply some decals in the office, which was done at this point.

I then painted the interior surfaces of the fuselage. 

[Ratch]

There were more instruments to add to the fuselage and these required painting, and some had decals applied too. 

[Ratch]

All these sub-assemblies are like little models in their own rite.

[Ratch]

The fuselage was closed using masking tape to hold the mating surfaces together.

While waiting for the fuselage to set several sub-assemblies were performed. The tail and rudder were assembled for their addition and the lower wing was prepared with the removal of a bracket on the starboard side.

[Ratch]

The instructions offer alternative colours for the firewall, saying some aircraft were painted aluminium and others interior green, without definitive guidance. I have opted for cockpit green. The pre-prepared tail and rudder were fixed.

Construction now turns to the wing with the positioning of the main spar.

There now follows a spell of semi-assembly where some sub-assemblies are cemented together but not yet fixed to the wing.

Parts are colour coded in these steps, but I’m reluctant to paint before the pieces are fixed.

[Ratch]

The interior of the wing is delightfully detailed and precision fitting. I am sure I made the right decision in delaying painting until after assembly.

[Ratch]

A dry fit

Preparation for assemblies to come

[paul71]

looks like a really good kit ratch wish i had the space to put one

[Ratch]

It's been a cracking build so far Paul. I'm just worried I'll stuff it up.

[paul71]

with your abilities ratch you won't mess it up but we all have those thoughts from time to time

[Ratch]

The guns going in.

I did not fit the gun bay doors and omitted steps 95 and 96, but I did paint them.

I then fitted the upper wing sections.

The panels were cleaned up and bagged, marked Port & Starboard for painting later.

As I wish to leave the engine exposed, I can skip steps 115 to 135.

I can now resume assembly of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

[Ratch]

To highlight areas of the engine I dry-brushed with Oily Steel.

[Ian Meadows]

Looking very nice. Leaving the engine open as well?

[Ratch]

Thanks Ian, yes, the Merlin will be exposed.

[Ratch]

[paul71]

coming on well ratch since you are having the merlin on show are these any good to you i took them when i visited the bbmf a few years ago its spitfire TE311 MK XVI

[Ratch]

Thanks Paul, good images are always useful, I'll do my best.

[Ratch]

Construction of the engine is practically complete, but before it gets fitted, I think it will be easier to carry out the main paintwork.

This will reduce the masking necessary and make things a little simpler. Well, that’s the theory. I leap forward to step 203 and add the flaps in the lowered position.

I know that this is not Standard Operating Practice (SOP) but want to show off the opportunity. I’m not sure if I’ve placed the actuators correctly. I found the instruction diagram vague. I was unable to ascertain whether it is shown from the top down or inverted and made a guess.

I also add the ailerons and cannon shrouds, then I can mask and paint.

[Ratch]

I use sponge to fill the cockpit, acting as a mask, and masking tape to tack the wing panels in place before priming.

In hindsight it would be better to leave the ammunition feed for the cannons off until after the paintwork and decals are applied. I appreciate there will almost certainly be some overspray that will require touching up.

After priming I pre-shaded.

[Topcat_Ern]

A Mark IX engine from one at Duxford

Andy