** Martin's Mediterranean 'Merican - Just Made it. Phew! **

[Martin R]

Hi chaps,

I am going to attempt to build the Arii 1/48th Spitfire Mk VIII. I have some spare bits from the Revell Mk IX / XVI (reboxed Hasegawa) from my stalled build of a T.9 and a small amount of aftermarket bits that may get used.

The aircraft I'm planning to do is HL-o-MM "lonesome Polecat" of the 308th FS, 31st FG, based at Castel Volturno in Italy in early 1944. Current idea is to use the decals from the Airfix boxing of this kit I also have in the stash, but I'm a bit worried about how good the decals will be, so I may have to resort to after market ones in due course.

Pics to follow.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

OK chaps, here's the pictures. I'm doing an Arii boxing of this kit, although I believe it was also released by Otaki, Matchbox and Airfix (anyone know if anyone else did?)

Rather nice box art:


Simple and clear instructions:


Kit plastic - everything's a bit simplified but it's all there. Also, for a 1970s kit it's unusual in having very very fine recessed panel lines:


Kit decals & nice colour artwork:



Aftermarket that I may use partly. I definitely will use the replacement 'gull wing' centre-section from Aeroclub, replacing the flat section that is part of the kit:


Bits from a Revell / Hasegawa Spit IX / XVI that I have spare may also be used:


Airfix-sourced decals that I currently plan to use. They don't look much cop, though, do they?


So that's what I'm doing. Let's see how it goes.

regards,

Martin

[DazDaMan]

Does that say "Wonderland Models" on the price tag?

[Martin R]

Does that say "Wonderland Models" on the price tag?

It does indeed. £9.49.

regards,

Martin

[DazDaMan]

Great model shop - it's only a short distance from me.

Funnily enough, I think one of my Otaki Spits came from there!

[Martin R]

Great model shop - it's only a short distance from me.

Funnily enough, I think one of my Otaki Spits came from there!

I remember buying a Jo-Han P-47D there sometime in the '70s. I think it was still in Rose St, then. It was agreat treat to go to Edinburgh; you got more choice of models there! I also have a vague memory of being bought a Monogram Spit IX once from Jenners, of all places.

regards,

Martin

[Old_Tonto]

I have an Otaki boxing of this kit too & it may well have come from Wonderland models as I used to be a frequent visitor to Edinburgh

I didn't know about the gull wing section so I will watch with interest.

[Martin R]

I have an Otaki boxing of this kit too & it may well have come from Wonderland models as I used to be a frequent visitor to Edinburgh

I didn't know about the gull wing section so I will watch with interest.

Hi O_T,

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I've been a little distracted this week but I hope to get something done and post some pictures this evening.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Here's what I did (and photo'd) earlier in the week. The first order of business was to busy up the cockpit a bit. I have the Hasegawa IP and front frame, and a resin seat and seat armour, but I didn't like the existing solid seat-back frame, so I made my own out of thick card. It's hardly accurate, but it should look OK with some additions. I also added the rear frame. I will add some more stiffeners from square styrene rod tonight:



I also thought that the engine cowling lacked some lateral 'heft' compared to the Hasegawa one, so I added some eyebrows of thin styrene sheet over the exhaust stubs and I will blend these in with filler, also tonight hopefully:




Finally, I started work on the wing centre section, using a SAM scale rule, side cutters and a modelling knife to carefully remove the rear edge for the 'gull wing' after market piece. Here is an interim view of progress - it fits better tonight. I will add some reinforcements along the joining edge to support the new piece:



More tonight, if possible.

regards,

Martin

[DazDaMan]

I'll look forward to seeing how you do with yours - mine will be straight OOB.

[PaulBradley]

Good start, Martin.

[Martin R]

@ Paul,

Thank you!

@ Daz,

That just means you're much more likely to finish in the time!

Regards,

Martin

[DazDaMan]

@ Daz,

That just means you're much more likely to finish in the time!

Regards,

Martin

I dunno, I've got this furry miscreant trying to help!

[VickersVandal]

A yank Spit??

I say, that's just not cricket!


Keen to see how it turns out though.

[Martin R]

So, here's the progress as of Sunday night (I was up early on Monday so didn't have time to post the pics then). Firstly, I had smeared some filler over the exhaust 'eyebrows', then tried to smooth it out with a damp fingertip, leaving me with this:


Some gentle sanding later, here's what it looks like next to the Hasegawa Spit XVI. I think it looks a bit meatier than it did:


I also added some bits and bobs to the cockpit walls using plastic strip, lead wire and wine bottle foil. Good enough for Government work, methinks:


Finally, I added some tabs along the edges of the centre-section insert, let them dry and then added the insert itself. It's not a bad fit:



So, it's still pretty slow progress, but at least progress is being made. More anon.

regards,

Martin