OT's Classical Spitfire *** Finished ***

[Old_Tonto]

My entry for this GB is a real Airfix classic, the 1/72 Spitfire Vb.



This example is the 1978 re-boxing, it says 1974 inside the fuselage. I hope to complete it as an Italian example but have not confirmed that I have the decals yet.

Apart from the decals this will be OOB apart from the seat which will be replaced with an Aeroclub one as the kit supplied example is pants.

Can't wait to get started.

[Stuart]

Cool - I love that kit!

[Old_Tonto]

She is a Classic Sir T and it has been nearly 3 days since I built a Spitfire!

So time to get started on this one, lets crack open the box.



This reveals an old friend and childhood memories come flooding back.
I miss the 3-day week, power cuts & oversized plastic rivets.

You don't get much in the box. I seem to remember more parts.

This build will be OOB apart from the changes necessary to complete my chosen subject which will be this:



I believe it is a Spitfire Mk Vb trop as flown by the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force 1944. Not sure of the colour scheme though, they seem to have use a mixed bag that they inherited from the Balkan air force. Some images suggest an all ove olive drab scheme which would be something different.

Anyway, I need to fit this Volkes filter:



So I started with the interior and kept it OOB as not much can be seen. I also joined the wings together & fitted the resin oil cooler which looks better than the kit one.



And that is the state of play so far.

[Stuart]

looking good OT!

[Old_Tonto]

I got the wings on last night:



There was quite a large gap at bot wing to fuselage joins but a bot of squadron white filler sorted that out.

Then disaster struck & brought a halt to proceedings:



I will crack on tonight with the resin vokes filter.

[Stuart]

Ouch! suffering for your art OT!

[DazDaMan]

Now you just need the sweat and tears to get it finished!

[Old_Tonto]

This kit is a real pleasure to build. Just about ready for a primer coat:



The resin parts are attached after a bit of a fight:



That Vokes filter does make the beautiful Spitfire look pretty ugly.

[Stuart]

Oh I dunno, Ilike the Volkes filter - It has a mean look to it!

I looks great OT!

[DazDaMan]

I must admit, I did like the Spit Vc that used to be based at Duxford....

[Old_Tonto]

That is a good looking Spit Daren.

Got some primer on last night:



This revealed the need for more filler along the wing to fuselage join.
In other news I found this 45 Gal slipper tank in the spares box so that's good. Unfortunately I was only in there looking for a replacement aerial mast having lost the original.



It is very annoying as I was very careful in cutting the mast from the sprue!

[TobyC]

Taking shape very nicely. I do like the am parts for the tropical conversion.

[Stuart]

Lookng good - I really like those slipper tanks!

[Old_Tonto]

Lookng good - I really like those slipper tanks!

Essential for the ground attack missions later in the war as the Spit had short legs.

Not too much time spent on this build over the weekend but I did manage to get the underside painted:



I also found the missing aerial mast on the floor so that was lucky.

Tonight I plan to mask off the underside and apply the green for the camouflage.

[Stuart]

That's looking good - What colour are you going for? Desert Camo or Malta Blue?