Paul's Spitfire Vb

[IrishAir]

Since Summer started for me roughly 39 minutes ago it's time to get started on this GB.

The Victim:



Hope to have all the internals finished up by tonight,

Cheers,
Paul

[Dirkpitt289]

Welcome to the gang Paul. Look forward to seeing your build.

[IrishAir]

Thanks Dirk

A few minutes ago I finished the pilot, must be a record time for me. Although I feel I've made him look a bit grumpy.
So here he is, Pilot Officer Leo Nomis (on a pratically bad day it seems)




Cheers,
Paul

[Chris]

Welcome aboard paul!

PO Nomis looks great!

[IrishAir]

Cheers Chris.

The main internals have been finished, it's been a pretty good kit so far but there isn't much cockpit detail, not that it would be seen through the canopy anyway.

Progress so far,



Cheers,
Paul

[bromo]

Looks good Paul nice job on painting the pilot, finished a Revell Mk Vb not so long ago be interesting to compare the two kits.

[IrishAir]

Thanks Bromo, although something else that I found in the kit is 1974 moulded inside the fuselage, you think they were trying to remind themselves what year the mould was created instead of you know writing it down.

Cheers,
Paul

[IrishAir]

Got carried away with this build and forgot to take some pics but managed to take some today of the current state of play.

First up, the main build has been completed with smaller pieces yet to be added.
There was large gaps at the wrong root that I am guessing by now were probably my fault in some way. A large amount of filler was needed here and a small bit where the wing section meets the lower fuselage.





I made some attempt to sand down the landing gear wheels to give the effect of weight being applied on them like on the new Airfix Spitfire I. It looks ok to my eye but I want to see what the rest of you guys think. They aren't glued on yet as I need to see where to position them first by dry fitting the gear .





The prop assembly is done but still need some touching up, most noticably around the edges of the props.



Cheers,
Paul

[Chris]

It looks pretty cool to me.

[flakmonkey]

The tyres look good Paul. When I saw the ones in the Mk. XII kit I thought they were over done, but in the RAF maintenance training film they do have a very pronounced flat tyre look to them so I guess they're about right.

[Motley]

I had the exact same problems with the wings roots when i built this kit, so thinks it a kit problem, didnt fill mine as i managed to finish it totally in 3 hours, but yours is looking really good and love the wheels

[Softscience]

Paul,

I think you've done well on flattening the wheels. A much easier method though is too press them to a warm iron (with some wax paper on it). Its quicker, and gives you some of the characteristic bulge on the sides as well.


I'm copying your method of finishing all of the ancillary bits (gears, prop, etc.) prior to building the body of the aircraft for my Spit IX. In the end I hope to just slap it all together.

Finally, does this kit have the old raised line fuselage and the recessed line wings?

[IrishAir]

Thanks guys

Ralph I don't think I will try out the iron method as I'm known to be clumsy, the last time I used an iron was when a burned a hole through one of my school shirts
And this kit has raised panel lines all over except for the cowling where they are very deeply engraved.

Cheers,
Paul

[Dirkpitt289]

That iron trick sounds pretty cool Ralph. The end result has got to be much better then taking a file to the bottom tire.

[AndrewR]

That iron trick sounds pretty cool Ralph. The end result has got to be much better then taking a file to the bottom tire.

But the potential for disaster is much higher. As I'd have to try this with my mother-in-law's iron at the moment, I might not try this one just now.