Chip's Reginald Mitchell Tribute***Finished***

[Molly-new]

Managed to get my teeth into this today, but to start with here are the sprues:



and the instruction sheet, typical Heller:



I started off by removing the guns (which in hindsight would have been better cut down and drilled out):



and reducing the size of the radiator housings:



I then set to work on removing the various panels as per my research:





Quite a few bits have been removed but the task was made easier by the standard of the Heller molding, which mirrors the actual Spitfire superbly.

I am going down to the museum on Wednesday to get more photo's of the finer details and cockpit prior to starting assembly. I will also measure the staging so that I can build that if time permits.

[DazDaMan]

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

I got a silver Heller Spit a while back. Must be an older moulding, given the packaging. Mine went together without a single dab of filler or any fiddling whatsoever!

[lancfan]

Chip, the canopy isn't too accurate but it is common to the mark 22 and if you have the Airfix F.22 kit in your stash then the second canopy (part D4) is a perfect fit on the Heller canopy rails, this is how it looks.



David.

[Molly-new]

Thanks for the heads up David, unfortunately I don't have the Airfix F.22 kit in my stash for a replacement so will have to make it fit best as. The windscreen is actually just framework:



Not sure how to tackle this yet, either drill out and sand down or build a new piece from scratch.

After an enlightening visit to the Museum yesterday I came back with a good quantity of detail photos and a plethora of ideas on how to enhance this build. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot more work to be done than first anticipated. Even more plastic has hit the floor, mainly from the lower fuselage/wing section:



I have also started to add the bulkhead panels and remains of the IP. Hard work but good fun.

[Molly-new]

Finished the detailing of the cockpit by adding bits of wire as appropriate, and giving it a quick blast of interior green followed by a wash. The colours are more prominent than in the picture, it is a bit washed out due to the flash.



The fuselage is now together, next step to construct the bottom of the fuselage as it can be seen through the lower panels of the wing that have been removed.

[Molly-new]

The problem with these type of builds is that you can get so wrapped up in the detailing that you lose track of time/days left to go.

I therefore have decided to get some paint on, starting with a blast of primer to check out the seams and cut outs areas for burrs:



I can already tell that the nose will require a bit of work.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Yeah, but it looks so good in there ...

[lancfan]

That is brilliant work Chip, the Spit is coming along nicely.


David.

[fearless frankie]

Good job they moved it from the old greenhouse that used to house it accross the road as that would seriously have tested scratchbuilding skills.Remember that it had to be shoe horned in as it was originally planned not to have an engine, so it was askew and the rudder was hard cranked over, it was also home to a vast selection of built kits aswell. Happy childhood memories, also remember there was a shop on the corner of Albion Street and Bethesda Street that sold a few models and accessories, bought quiet a few Esci decals from them and have to admit that some are still in the decal bank fourtyplus years later.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/imag ... y.shtml?16
Good link to it here.
Keep up the stunning worh FF

[Molly-new]

Not much time at the bench of late, but I have managed to get some bits and pieces done.

After carrying out repairs to the nose seam I have got the base colours of Hu 165 grey on the bottom and Revell 79 Blaugrey on the top:



Once dry I will be fitting the lower wing section so as to build up the lower fuselage/cockpit bottom that can be seen through the cutaways.

I have also made a start on the display area, having gained inspiration from Simon's Affichage En Papier build.

[Molly-new]

After fitting the lower wing and completing the detailing of the cockpit bottom, I added the wing tops to discover quite a gap at the wing roots:



I think this is down to my over exuberant sanding and removal of the bottom of the engine cowl than a fault with the kit.

Out with the filler.....

[Molly-new]

Progressing along quite nicely now, the wing roots have been filled, and I have been playing around on the computer to get the flooring and doors done:



Tonight I will get the green camo. on, and hope to complete the exhibition room. (currently turning a 250lb bomb into a fire extinguisher )

[lancfan]

Looking good Chip, one question- is the brick patterned image available online?


David.

[Molly-new]

Looking good Chip, one question- is the brick patterned image available online?


David.

PM sent, any problems and we can try a different method.

[Molly-new]

Most of the painting has now been completed, and the cut away areas are finished:





The fire extinguisher came out OK;



which almost completes the exhibition room:



I just need to add the quote to the left of the door and construct the hand rail.