Paul Bradley's Airfix 1/72 Spitfire 22/24

[Gregers]

Nice work so far Paul. Looking forward tomore pics.

All the best.

Greg

[sdweier]

Then, in fitting together the fuselage halves, a problem. Isn't it funny (funny odd, not funny ha-ha...) how you can test-fit parts to your heart's content, and everything goes together hunky-dory, no issues, then the moment you put super glue on the parts, there's a fit issue? That happened with the fuselage. I'd glued the cockpit in place; everything was correctly aligned; the fuselage halves test-fitted perfectly, but this happened when I applied glue:

I'm a bit late to the party, but this is a common problem. The Airfix parts fit *extremely* closely. Add a layer of superglue, and it takes up part of the space where the parts should fit. And it may set before the part is fully home.

I've learned this lesson the hard way. Solvent glues (thin ones like Tamiya fast) take up no space, but even thin CyA does, and will almost invariably stuff things up unless there is enough give in the fit to allow the parts to seat properly anyway.

FWIW, my experience.

Shane

[PaulBradley]

I'm sure that's what it was, Shane - who knew a kit could fit TOO well....! Which is a lesson in not taking a short cut - I should have scraped back the paint in the grooves.

[Sissel]

Hmm, I will try my best to remember this for my next new tool build. I do think I used superglue for the interior (was blitz bulids), and then add the paint, no wonder there were fit issues.

[PaulBradley]

Not forgotten - just way too busy to model.

I did get a coat of aluminum on last weekend, so ready to get the fiddly bits going. May be able to finish in time, but I'm not going to bust a gut and potentially ruin it.

[Chuck Finley]

Not forgotten - just way too busy to model.

I did get a coat of aluminum on last weekend, so ready to get the fiddly bits going. May be able to finish in time, but I'm not going to bust a gut and potentially ruin it.

The important thing is to have fun with build and add a nice addition to the shelf.

[PaulBradley]

Indeed - and I'm not going to ask for an extension, because I really don't want to go down that road any more.

[Old_Tonto]

Not forgotten - just way too busy to model.

I did get a coat of aluminum on last weekend, so ready to get the fiddly bits going. May be able to finish in time, but I'm not going to bust a gut and potentially ruin it.

Wise words indeed. I for one would rather see it finished late than ruined. This is just a hobby afterall.

[PaulBradley]

This morning, I sanded down a couple of dodgy seams highlighted by the aluminium paint..... I'll give it a second coat this afternoon. Also painted up some of the detail parts - wheels, prop, spinner, exhausts, etc. It'll then be a matter of getting the decals on tomorrow, and a coat of satin varnish tomorrow afternoon - should be able to finish tomorrow.

[PaulBradley]

Almost there. Just needs decals and some touching up, plus some light weathering.



Fit of the canopy was pretty poor, but this was mostly due to the seat armour being a bit too high. It was better once that was sanded back, though not perfect by any means. Some white glue will fill that gap.

This kit has been a surprising struggle for me.

[Gregers]

Great looking build Paul. Nice one.

All the best.

Greg

[Saxon]

Looks great, and yep the same happens to me when dry fitting - fit problems after applying the glue!

[PaulBradley]

Cheers, guys.

But did you ever have one of those kits that you just want to get done and off the bench? This became one of them.... I decided to just use the kit decals in the end, rather than hassle with making my own, even though thte artwork was done and only needed to get printed.

But it is at least done.







Needs a light panel line wash and a satin varnish coat - it looks VERY toy-like at the moment - but that won't happen today, if ever. Happy to get it off the bench. I'll have to have another go at the kit one day, now that I know the pitfalls, and take a little more care....

[Saxon]

Nicely done, I am tempted to get one as well.

[jssel]

Good looking finish there Paul. Great job.