Daz has Reached for the Sky, and **FINISHED!!**

[DazDaMan]

Ah right. Sounds interesting. If you can find it, I wouldn't mind trying to get a hold of a copy for myself.

[DazDaMan]

Sit-rep:

Dark earth and sky applied. First coat of dark green applied.

I'm debating whether or not to remove the prop blades, since it's going to be stand-mounted with its wheels retracted...?

[Molly-new]

I'm debating whether or not to remove the prop blades, since it's going to be stand-mounted with its wheels retracted

You could always print off a prop-blur, that is what I am doing with my Boston in the Twin Prop GB.

James Perrin made some to download here.

[DazDaMan]

Thanks for that. I might consider it.

[DazDaMan]

Secondly, I had a look in Spitfire Survivors Vol.2, and there was indeed a shot of Kenneth More in the cockpit of a Spitfire. The aircraft is listed as TE288, which was used as a static airframe in the film. What I cannot find is what aircraft was used for cockpit shots for the film. Was it TE288? There is clearly a real aircraft used in the close-ups, but the identity of it I haven't ascertained yet.

Also, while flicking briefly through the Spitfire scenes in the film, there are TWO versions of Bader's initials carried on the Spitfire's fuselage in the bail-out sequence:

1) The correct-style of letters in the correct position (D-B);

2) A smaller, incorrect style shown as DB beneath the cockpit.

Given that the model also shows the correct style, I'll go with this!

Well, a bit of correspondence with Spitfire historian Peter Arnold confirmed that the "cockpit shot" Spitfire is indeed TE288, which is a survivor (currently in New Zealand).

TE288 wore several identities during filming as well, just to confuse matters as to what serial to put on the model...!

[DazDaMan]

Sit-rep:

Camouflage finished and touched up where necessary. Undercarriage installed after some fettling of a spare set - just needs to be painted.

Probably get this wee beast finished by tomorrow!

[DazDaMan]

I almost forgot to install one VITAL component on this model: a pilot!

I fished one out of the spares box last night, and he is currently being painted before some minor(!) surgery....

[DazDaMan]

Hey buddy, fancy a few beers?


Sure, let's get legless!

The Heller Spit's instrument panel and rudder pedals are moulded in one piece, so there's no room for a full length pilot.

Douglas Bader/Kenneth More in the cockpit:

[DazDaMan]

The stand will be painted once it's set.

[Molly-new]

Another cracker Daz, I know it is Douglas Baders Spit, but I didn't expect you to go to this length for realism:

[iggie]

A couple of tin legs and some ping-pong balls and you'll be spot on!

[MarkyM607]

A couple of tin legs and some ping-pong balls and you'll be spot on!

Do I dare ask what the ping pong balls are for!?!?

[iggie]

A couple of tin legs and some ping-pong balls and you'll be spot on!

Do I dare ask what the ping pong balls are for!?!?

Bader was reputed to have filled his tin legs with them, in case he was hit and had to bail out over the channel; he was concerned that his legs would fill with water and drag him down.

Apparently he did fly with the ping-pong balls inside his otherwise hollow legs, but reducing air pressure as he climbed caused them to pop, sounding like he was under attack and he didn't bother again

[JohnRatzenberger]

And another, even with a spot of surgery to "correct" the pilot figure - very good !

[TimJ]

Nice work Daz.