David's late arrival: Spitfire I PR-L R6699 FINISHED

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Any kit, any scale, any subject so long as it represents a participant during the period 10 July - 31 October, 1940. The GB runs 15 August through 15 September and your host is DazDaMan.
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DavidWomby
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by DavidWomby »

This has turned from a pleasant little build to a bit of a depressing grind.

After this morning's disaster with the old Humbrol, I mixed up some Gunze FS30219 and a bit of black to make a shade kind of like Dark Earth. It did airbrush on but somehow there was a lot of dust caught on the paint. I sanded it a bit with MicroMesh and gave it a second coat. Better but still rough in places.

Then I cut paper masks for the camo only to find they did not fit. By then I was getting fed up of the thing, so I freehand brush painted the green on.

I have just done a third freehand brush coat of the green and I can't decide which looks worse, the rough sprayed-on brown or the thick, uneven brushed-on green.

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Such a shame

David
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by SteveC »

David,

Really sorry it's not going at all well, problems not of your making it seems.

My advice, for what it's worth, is leave it to dry and then put on a couple of coats of gloss varnish.

Regards,

Steve
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DavidWomby
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by DavidWomby »

Thanks, Steve, the encouragement is appreciated. I left it last night and had a couple of glasses of wine to relax. I'll go take a look at it now and try to get started.

I have to say I feel the problems are of my own making - I should have ditched the ancient Humbrol after the first failed attempt and I should have wiped the model down better to avoid the dust in the paint.

David
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by SteveC »

Alas David, we are all much wiser after the event, and I know I that I wouldn't have persisted for nearly as long as you with the offending pot of Humbrol.

I hope that the problem is now being resolved, and if not then here's to another glass of wine or two.

Regards,

Steve
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DavidWomby
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by DavidWomby »

Well, today started with another setback. My masking had not stood up to the 3 coats of green brushed on yesterday.

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The Sky was enamel and the green is acrylic so I thought IPA would wipe off the acrylic and leave the Sky clean. No such luck, the IPA took off the enamel Sky too. So I rubbed down the green as best I could and painted over it with a brush. Not great but not bad.

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It's now glossed and partway through getting on the decals and looking not too bad really. I'll do the rest of the decals tomorrow.

Image

David
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Clashcityrocker
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Good on you for sticking with it. With all the setbacks you've had with this, the next one should be a whole lot easier, lessons learned and all that. :)

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DazDaMan
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by DazDaMan »

It's coming on good - setbacks aside!
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by Old_Tonto »

You are beating this one into submission. Great work.
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SteveC
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by SteveC »

Looking really good now David, a stumble coming into the home stretch, but very well rescued indeed.

Regards,

Steve

You can now have a glass or two just to celebrate :grin:
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DavidWomby
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by DavidWomby »

Thanks, everyone.

I am building PR-L but only have decals for PR-G. So I am cutting up the G and plan to rearrange the parts to make an L. Here's the start.

Image

David
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Narayan
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by Narayan »

You really are beating this one David. Nice work.

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DavidWomby
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Re: David's late arrival to the party (609 Squadron Spitfire

Post by DavidWomby »

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Well, the matt topcoat isn't as matt as I wanted, the antenna wire is too thick and light coloured and my poor weathering skills are showing but overall, I am pretty happy with this now and I made it in time. So I am declaring it finished.

As far as my research goes: PR-L R6699 was flown by Pilot Officer David M Crook of 609 Squadron based at Middle Wallop/Warmwell in late August 1940. It was the second PR-L. The earlier one, P9322, was damaged in early August 1940. R6699 went on to serve in 54, 41 and 313 squadrons before being struck off charge in 1942.

Crook was a Battle of Britain ace. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the battle for destroying six enemy aircraft and damaging several more. Crook wrote the book 'Spitfire Pilot' about the Battle of Britain. In December 1944, flying a photographic sortie, Crook, now a Flight Lieutenant flying a Spitfire IX, was seen to dive into the sea near Aberdeen. He was officially listed as Missing in Action.

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David
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DazDaMan
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Re: David's late arrival: Spitfire I PR-L R6699 Finished

Post by DazDaMan »

Well done!
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fredk
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Re: David's late arrival: Spitfire I PR-L R6699 FINISHED

Post by fredk »

Nice
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Re: David's late arrival: Spitfire I PR-L R6699 FINISHED

Post by mjatx »

Very nicely done! Excellent work.
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