Martin's Spitty Dual Build

[Old_Tonto]

Great photo. I assume you are the one in the stripey T-shirt?

[Martin R]

Great photo. I assume you are the one in the stripey T-shirt?

That's me!

[Martin R]

Well I bunked off work early yesterday and braved the traffic in the dusk, cycling into town. Mum off with little darlings in car somewhere.

I got a rattle can of Simoniz white primer. This is nice and I recommend it. Dries to a smooth satin finish, looking not unlike Mr Surfacer 1000 - but a whole lot cheaper.

Unmodded Spit primed, then SEAC stripes masked earlier, followed by wrapping lots of kitchen foil over much of rest of the kit and I'm now spraying the front of the cowling yellow, building up the colour with several thin coats. Not sure how it's gone yet! If it looks OK in the end, I'll start the hairy stick painting tomorrow.

Modded Spit was also primed last night. I have just shot the same yellow over the leading edges of the outer wings. I'll let this dry, then mask it off tomorrow - then onto the camouflage.

[Edit with shot of current status: R - unmodded - intended to be 'whatif' Mk XVI MD280 in SEAC colours; L - modded]



regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Above post edited with picture!

regards,

Martin

[Narayan]

Coming along very nicely Martin.

________________
Narayan

‘I then realised my appearance was a bit odd. My right leg was no longer with me. It had caught somewhere in the top of the cockpit as I tried to leave my Spitfire.’
Group Captain Douglas Bader CBE DSO DFC

A:B
2012 16:03 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03
2010 44:12

Overall 189:49

[Martin R]

Thank you.

I got a couple of coats of MSG on both aircraft last night. Another coat tonight and I can start on the upper camouflage colours.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Sorry, once again no pics. Just about to take them when I noticed the camera was out of juice

Latest state of play.

Unmodded Spit: MSG finished, edges masked off, then 4 coats of dark earth applied up top. I think that'll do. There are a few 'light' streaks still showing through, but as I plan on weathering the paintwork at the end due to the effects of the climate in the SEATO*, this should just add to the effect. Next thing: on with the dark green.

Modded Spit: MSG finished. I didn't get on to the topside camo here because after a couple of coats of Xtracrylix MSG, I noticed that the aft wing / fuse join looked a bit pony, so there was some rubbing down to be done there, followed by some more extensive touch-ups. Next thing: mask edges of MSG, followed by a few coats of OG.

I'm calling it a day there as it's been a busy one and I'm up early in the morning. I'm also out of town with work until Thursday evening, so there'll be no further progress here till late in the week. I'll catch up with you then.

regards,

Martin

* Where this aircraft was operational in my universe.

[JamesPerrin]

A lovely picture of a significant day in a young man's life.

[Old_Tonto]

Making very good progress here Martin.

Look forward to seeing the SEAC markings on a Mk 16.

[Martin R]

Thank you, chaps.

I am now back home, so hope to crack on with the camo, decals and assorted details this weekend.

regards,

MArtin

[Jagewa]

Due to photobucket problem, I am assuming my Martin Mask....

The SEAC (unmodded) Spit needs another coat of DG to get good colour density, and the 2ATAF (modded) Spit will need a good few coats more of OG before I can get round to thinking about the DG. Still, another couple of hours tonight should have the camo finished (neglecting touch ups, of course).

I am starting to think about painting the detailed parts, including props and 250lb bomb for the 2ATAF Spit.

I hope to get some better shots of the finished articles to allow comparison.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Jim,

Many thanks for posting the above photo. This hasn't been the most visual build thread.

All,

I took some more photos at the beginning of this evening's session, which are at least clear, but PB is not working for me - again!

Status:

Unmodded Spit - camo complete and masking removed. There will be some touch up required on the SEAC bands, but on the whole I'm pleased. The prop has been painted, assembled and dry-fitted. If I can touch up the camo tomorrow, I should be able to get onto the decalling tomorrow night.

Modded Spit - camo complete; I'll let that dry overnight before I take off the masking. The 2-piece spinner from the Hase Spit VIII has been utilised. This has been primed in white, tacked together with PVA and has had a couple of coats of yellow applied for the spiral. This now needs masking and the spinner will then be painted black.

I need to crack on with painting and assembling the undercarriage and I need to gash up a centre-line bomb rack for the modded Spit. I'm doubting I'll finish both in the time, but I'll give it a go.

Is anyone else still working? It feels a bit lonely in this GB* . . . .

regards,

Martin

* Admittedly not helped by the lack of pics.

[splash]

They are both looking good.

Is it the SEAC colours that have the white stripes?

Regards Splash

[Martin R]

Is it the SEAC colours that have the white stripes?

Yep.

[Jagewa]

Down under Martin reporting in again..

It's interesting how the camera flash shows every little flaw in the paintwork. The DG needs some going over to eliminate patchy coverage on both aircraft, and the modded Spit will need some OG touching up around the demarkation line. Still, I'm happy with where I am.

regards,

Martin