Daz's Swedish Spitfire **FINISHED**
Daz's Swedish Spitfire **FINISHED**
One of these beasts dropped through the door today:
As with my last couple of builds, it'll be a surviving Spitfire. Namely this one:
A bit of history: RW386, along with sister ship RW382, served with 604 Squadron post-war, eventually becoming one of the numerous Spitfire gate guards until a deal was struck with warbird collector Doug Arnold, which saw the Spitfire joining the queue to be restored to fly. The project was started in the 1980s, but ground to a halt upon Arnold's death in 1992, by which time most of the work had been completed. The aircraft was stored for over a decade until acquired by Historic Flying Ltd, who completed the restoration to fly. The aircraft was subsequently bought by Swedish company Biltema, who also operate a P-51 Mustang, to be flown at displays around Europe.
As with my last couple of builds, it'll be a surviving Spitfire. Namely this one:
A bit of history: RW386, along with sister ship RW382, served with 604 Squadron post-war, eventually becoming one of the numerous Spitfire gate guards until a deal was struck with warbird collector Doug Arnold, which saw the Spitfire joining the queue to be restored to fly. The project was started in the 1980s, but ground to a halt upon Arnold's death in 1992, by which time most of the work had been completed. The aircraft was stored for over a decade until acquired by Historic Flying Ltd, who completed the restoration to fly. The aircraft was subsequently bought by Swedish company Biltema, who also operate a P-51 Mustang, to be flown at displays around Europe.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Well, as per usual, we start by painting some of the innards of the beast:
I also got rid of that pesky rib detail inside the flaps.
Why Airfix thought it was a good idea to mould the flaps this way (with detail that would only be visible when the flaps are lowered - which a Spitfire's flaps are only when the aircraft is landing!) is beyond me!
I also got rid of that pesky rib detail inside the flaps.
Why Airfix thought it was a good idea to mould the flaps this way (with detail that would only be visible when the flaps are lowered - which a Spitfire's flaps are only when the aircraft is landing!) is beyond me!
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Cockpit parts and wings assembled this morning. Pics later.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Cockpit bits, wings, prop.
Fuselage going together last night.
Fuselage going together last night.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
The port wingtip is an OK fit, but will need a little fettling to get it to look right.
The starboard wingtip??
Well, the wingtips are meant to be handed, but the starboard wingtip isn't - it has the same profile as the port! WTF, Airfix?! I'm pretty sure the last one I made didn't have that issue.
I might end up chopping them off and substituting them for a better quality set that I had sent to me by a friend for spare parts.
The starboard wingtip??
Well, the wingtips are meant to be handed, but the starboard wingtip isn't - it has the same profile as the port! WTF, Airfix?! I'm pretty sure the last one I made didn't have that issue.
I might end up chopping them off and substituting them for a better quality set that I had sent to me by a friend for spare parts.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
So, I actually did end up cutting off the dodgy Airfix wingtips and subbing a set of (I think) Hasegawa wingtips instead.
So, wings are now attached:
The lower cowling has been fitted as well. Mostly just the undercarriage needing assembled and the various sundry parts to complete the actual building.
So, wings are now attached:
The lower cowling has been fitted as well. Mostly just the undercarriage needing assembled and the various sundry parts to complete the actual building.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Both shades of grey on now. Just got to do the green, then the smaller details, and final assembly before decal time.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
The Spit is on its gear now, ready for the next bout of camo!
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
First lot of green on yesterday. Hopefully the rest will go on today.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
You are a veritable Spitfire machine, Daz!
regards,
Martin
regards,
Martin
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Thanks, Martin!
Second lot of green went on yesterday.
Second lot of green went on yesterday.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Camouflage is done. Yellow bits needing done first before applying decals.
I'll not be able to work on it today or most of tomorrow, so it'll be Sunday for this one.
It's gonna be a close one. Again.
I'll not be able to work on it today or most of tomorrow, so it'll be Sunday for this one.
It's gonna be a close one. Again.
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Re: Daz's Swedish Spitfire
Bugger!
The squadron codes are the wrong shape! They're of the squarer type rather than the round type the real one actually wears!! I thought I had some of them in the stash, but they're a smaller size (more like 1/72) and would look stupid on this model.
Well, I suppose they'll do!
The squadron codes are the wrong shape! They're of the squarer type rather than the round type the real one actually wears!! I thought I had some of them in the stash, but they're a smaller size (more like 1/72) and would look stupid on this model.
Well, I suppose they'll do!
Daren
Half-assed Spitfire builder!
Half-assed Spitfire builder!