Sissels Norwegian PR XI *** Finished ***

[Stuart]

Looking good!

[Old_Tonto]

That is looking really sweet.

[Saxon]

Looking good, can't wait to see it painted and with the decals on..

[MDT]

Shame about the beer but your Spitfire is going well!

[Chuck Finley]

So, based on what you have done, how would you rate the kit? Would you recommend it being added to one's Spitfire/Seafire collection?

[TomW]

Definitely looks like a Spitfire to me

Regards

Tom

[Sissel]

I started painting today, up until that stage I was pretty pleased with things. Now... not so much.

I couldn't get it right. Paint too thick, too thin, bubbles, brush that left hairs in the paint, used new Evoco brushes. Never had probs with them before.
Sadly there's brushmarks. However these seemed to disappear a little. Ugh, my worst paint job in a while.
Pic is a little grainy, it's not the paint.




I have to say I didn't know paint doesn't set well on resin parts. Painting those exhausts were not easy. Paint wouldn't sit. 5-6 layers of gun metal and it looks okay. Need to touch up with blue paint after.
Later today I will gloss coat it (not with Klear this time, vallejo gloss medium, tried it before and looks great). And hopefully decal it tomorrow.

So, based on what you have done, how would you rate the kit? Would you recommend it being added to one's Spitfire/Seafire collection?

I can't comment on kit accuracy to the real thing as that is beyond my knowlegde. Fit wise it is the usual between wing and fuselage joints, gaps. Fuselage is too long to fit rest so cutting and sanding was needed. Fuselage halves not the easiest to get together, no pin holes or any ref points.
Canopy fits well. You have to make holes for the cameras yourself, and there is no antenna (I thought I had binned it but it was never there), so you have to scratch one. The prop blades were separate, a bit fiddly to get them on, holes to small needed to sand, dry fit, sand dry fit.
Don't know how many PR XI kits that's out there, but I wouldn't buy this again.

[Sissel]

Tail wheel broke off, not surprised, no holes for support. And plastic too soft there to try make one, I cracked the fuselage halves when I did earlier. Superglue again.

I've begun decalling. Will finish it with satin varnish, this takes ages to dry (often leave it overnight) but should be done this evening.

[jssel]

Well, I am impressed. I am thinking that the final satin coat will smooth everything out nicely.

[DavidWomby]

Looks good from here, Sissel. We are, of course, our own strongest critics. Would a rub with MicroMesh and another thin coat help? Hopefully you'll be happier with it after glossing and decalling.

David

PS - yes, resin doesn't take acrylics well is my experience too. I prime all my planes with a household primer in a spray can to help acrylic adhesion in general.

[lancfan]

Looks fine from here Sissel, will be superb when decalled.

David.

[Sissel]

Thanks guys. Micromesh is a good advice here, but honestly I had no patience for that today. I just want this Spit done!

It is now finished, and I am relieved. Brushmarks doesn't show anymore, I'm really interested to see how things are tomorrow.

Here's a pic to prove it's done.
Varnish still wet, hence the shine. Will take proper pictures tomorrow in daylight and then post for gallery.

[lancfan]

I knew it would look good.

David.

[DavidWomby]

Wow that looks great! Amazing what a coat of gloss will do!!

David

[Old_Tonto]

Its another stunner Sissel.

It looks really good. I have just been reading about Norwegian Spitfires so I might do a recce bird before too long. I have this kit and a Ventura kit, i might give the Ventura one a go.