Making a change...

After considering long and hard, I'm going to close this blog.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to build Spitfires, and blog about them. But instead of having a site dedicated to Spitfires, I've decided to have a single site for all of my modeling.

Over the next few days I'll set this site up to auto redirect to my other blog.

All of these posts will be moved over and eventually none of these will be here other than this post. The links should all be moved now.

Please accept my apologies if this creates an inconvenience, and hopefully you'll continue to come see what I've built!

Thanks for looking...

Low Level Recce - PR XIII

As I got a bit smarter about the Spitfire, I learned of the PR variants and the many coats of color they wore. Their missions were important, providing strategic as well as tactical reconnaissance of the theatre or battlefield, respectively.



Spitfire numbering can be confusing, especially the PR ones. Initially they were modified fighters, and their designations were references to the camera installations: PR IA, B, C, etc up to the PR IG. To reduce confusion the PR ID was renumbered PR IV, the PR IE was the PR VI, the PR IF the PR VII and the PR IG became the PR VIII. But those were also designations for fighters. Eventually in 1943 these were all replaced by either the high flying PR IV or tactical Recce PR XIII; albeit both were replaced by the PR XI or FR IX by mid 1944. By war's end these were being phased out by the Griffon PR XIX or FR XIV and FR XVIII. Whew!

Most PR or FR Spitfires wore unique camo schemes. All over Sky, Royal Blue, PRU Blue, Azure and White, Pink and some wore disruptive schemes similar to standard fighter types, but also quite unique. All because the PRU had a somewhat free hand to camouflage their aircraft as the tactical situation warranted.

The Subject

The PR XIII was a purpose built tactical (low level) reconnaissance aircraft, they were not intended to be conversions, albeit a few of the first ones were conversions from earlier PR IF and G machines. There eventually were only about 25 built. The design was based on the Mk V, optimized for low level operations with the Merlin 32 engine; some using the a wing and others the b, all had the inner armament removed and only retained the outer two .303 guns in each wing. The cannon bulges were removed, so all had the same appearance, externally (although I could be wrong on that point).

R7335, G3.K, was assigned to 718 Naval Air Squadron, FAA, NAS Henstridge in 1943. It carried a dark camouflage scheme, considered to most likely be the low level scheme of Extra Dark Sea Green and Extra Dark Sea Grey with PRU Mauve undersides. Given the low contrast of the upper surfaces, and that it was assigned to a NAS it could have been Dark Slate Grey instead of Extra Dark Sea Green, but since the under surface is dark I decided to paint it in the Low Level Scheme. It's also a very unique looking scheme on my shelf.



The Model

I started with the Airfix Mk I/IIa kit, their newest tooling. All the bits are there for a Mk Va, so the only mods I needed to make the PR XIII was to drill out the camera apertures, fill in the guns and a PR canopy. I used a 1/8th inch bit and used the PR XIX as a template. The apertures were then filled with white glue to keep paint on the outside, and not allow it to get inside the fuselage.



The next PR mod was to fill the inner two pair of gun panel lines. I used putty thinned with liquid glue; once dry I sanded it all lightly until smooth. Finally, I had to source a PR canopy with an armored windscreen.

I have the Falcon Spitfire set of vac canopies and found a pair of armored windscreens. After some trimming I checked the fit and the rear portion didn't quite work. So I trimmed it off and used the rear panels from the Airfix kit. The windscreen was still a bit off but by filling in with acrylic glue along the edges it looked right. The canopy didn't like the Humbrol acrylic paint, but after another coat of Future it started to take.

For paints I mixed Extra Dark Sea Grey using recipe of Hu123:50 + Hu34:6 + Hu25:3. Okay, I didn't count drops, but that equates to adding 1.5 ml of Hu34 and about 0.75 ml of Hu25 to a pot of Hu123 (older 12 ml pot). I used a digital color swatch from Nick Millman that was with other colors to eyeball the PRU Mauve, starting with a homemade recipe for PRU Pink (pot of Hu34 with 2 drops Hu60 and 4 drops Hu40); and adding PRU Blue (Hu230) in a ratio of 6 ml Pink to 2 ml blue to 0.5 ml Red (Hu60). All very easy if using standard pots; I just took half of the PRU Pink I'd mixed and transferred it to a mixing jar, then added 2 ml of PRU Blue and 0.5 ml of Hu60 Red. Finally, Extra Dark Sea Green is just Model Master European I Dark Green, FS 34092. It's a very close match to my RAF Museum color sample (exact, to my eye). All paints were acrylics.



The decals are from Model Alliance, sheet 72131. I had no difficulty with them, they went down beautifully on a coat of Future; I used Revell's decal softener.

Summary

This was a very easy conversion, although I took longer than I should because I wasn't looking forward to the canopy. I'm starting to wonder why I am reluctant to work with vac canopies, I'm always happy with the result. I also had difficulty finding a good Extra Dark Sea Green. Ultimately I waited until my wife could bring a bottle on one of her visits.

Thanks for looking...

Mk VIII, A58-464, CR-C, 80 Group, RAAF, 1944

Group Captain Clive R. Caldwell's personal aircraft

Always a subject I wanted on my shelf, G/C Caldwell is the leading RAAF ace with 27.5 victories (some sources say 28.5). When I decided to make 2013 a Spitfire year and July's challenge was a subject from "down under" necessity met opportunity.

The Subject

A58-464 is a Mk VIII delivered in the Desert Scheme of Dark Earth, Middlestone over Azure Blue. Upon receipt at 8 OTU in Australia it was repainted. In my search for the proper scheme I convinced myself that most in this batch of Mk VIII's were painted Foliage Green over RAAF Sky Blue. I've subsequently (after applying decals) discovered that possibly only the Middlestone was replaced by Foliage Green, making the scheme Dark Earth, Foliage Green over RAAF Sky Blue; so when I redo this scheme in the future, I'll get it right...whatever that scheme is.

This Mk VIII appears to be one of 3 (or 4) Mk VIII's with CRC codes flown by G/C Caldwell in 1944/1945.

The Model

I have a few of the older Hasegawa Mk VIII kits in the stash, but recently purchased the AZModel Mk VIII simply because it is supposed to be more accurate. It certainly is NOT as easy to build as Hasegawa, but I wanted to see if it really looks better.

The short answer: it does. The tail and nose looked balanced in length and overall it looks the part better than the Hasegawa kit...if sitting next to each other. If your Mk VIII's are all Hasegawa and don't sit next to more accurate late Merlin Spitfires, then it's a good choice, if you can find them.

Construction was straight forward with one exception: the wing tips. Why did AZModel choose to mold the wings with short span tips? It would certainly make a short span subject easier, but unfortunately I found the normal span tips to be thinner than the kit's wing, resulting in a step that required filling and sanding, losing a bunch of detail on the lower wing.

On the positive side, the canopy fit perfectly and all other construction was no harder than any other kit of a Spitfire.

I painted the kit using a mix of acrylics over Tamiya rattle can primer. The white trim is Humbrol, the Foliage Green is Model Master European I Green, and the RAAF Sky Blue is from Polly-Scale.

I used Master brass barrels for the guns, my first time trying them. At only about $6 per set, I think they are well worth it as they make a huge difference in appearance.

The decals are Propagteam, trimmed very close as the carrier covers the entire sheet. While the decals are thin, they readily broke apart, and are opaque resulting in a muted white with the green underneath showing through. The G/C badge was destroyed, I'll find a replacement eventually. I used some white to touch up the areas that tore, since most acrylic whites don't cover well, it actually turned out okay. The decals were expensive, but if you can find two sets cheap, douple them up and they'll look much better.

Summary

I'll do another one of these once I find some better decals. I will use the AZModel Mk VIII as the basis unless a better kit comes out, but I'll spend more time on those tips and hopefully not ruin as much detail.

Thanks for looking...

2011 Achievements

This year I kept better track of my builds and which theme(s) they were associated with. I also was able to achieve a few other goals for my hobby:

• I started a blog of my Spitfire builds;
• I participated in 2 Group Builds;
• I completed 9 Spitfires/Seafires; my goal was 10 and I expected to get 8 back in October.

In order of construction, here they are:

Hobby Boss Spitfire Mk Vb, EP312 / D-K, personal mount of WC Dereck Kain, Edku, Egypt, 1944. Not a “bad” kit, but if you source the landing gear covers (mine came from a Revell Mk Vb), a new prop (Quickboost), and a new canopy (I used the kit one) it looks the part. Total cost is higher than it should be, given the aftermarket needed to make it acceptable. I’ll not do another. Dark Green, Dark Earth, Azure. Markings from spares and masks.


Airfix Spitfire Mk IXc, 4th PS, 52nd FG, Corsica, January 1944, F/O Bob Hoover. I didn’t correct the kit like I should have as I didn’t realize the inaccuracies. This is a great kit to learn on, inexpensive and accurate in overall shape. Earth over Light Blue. Decals by Rising Decals (72-019).


Airfix Spitfire Mk IIa, P7308/XR-D, 71 “Eagle” Squadron, P/O Bill Dunn, 27 August 1941. I finally got a new tooling Mk I here in the US and got the 3D-Kits Mk II conversion set at about the same time. I decided to make a IIa and try both out, since I liked the DFS in transition. Much has been said about the kit and conversion set, I’ve since purchased a half dozen more kits (the Mk I/II boxing) and the LR conversion from 3D-Kits. For the price this kit is an excellent basis for anything from an early Mk I to a Mk Va. Dark Green, Ocean Grey, Medium Sea Grey and Sky.


Airfix Spitfire Mk IXc (early), MA585/KH-B, 403 Squadron RCAF, P/O George Beurling, 1943, (September Theme, “Canadian Bacon” and Spitfire Group Build online). My second attempt at the new tooling Mk IX, this time I corrected the kit by backdating the elevators, removed the wheel well bulges and sourced 5-spoke wheels. I also improved the cockpit with a better seat and column. Decals came from the Canadian IPMS sheet for RCAF aces. Dark Green, Ocean Grey, Medium Sea Grey & Sky.


Airfix Spitfire Mk I, R6595, 610 Squadron, RAF, Biggin Hill, August 1940, (Airfix Group Build online). Another “old school” build, I decided to take my old 1979 tooling and make it a quick build like I would have back in 1979. Another subject chosen because of the history and with a unique scheme (too large unit markings and fin flash backwards). Hand painted Dark Green, Dark Earth and Sky; decals are from an Aeromaster Sheet on the BoB (72-028).


CMR Spitfire Prototype K5054. I’ve quite a few of CMR’s Spitfires & Seafires to fill in my gaps. This is a lovely kit, it went together very quickly and I must say I’m getting much better at the vac canopy. Overall Light Grey-Blue (I used RLM 76).


CMR Seafire FR.47, VP459, 179/P, 800 Squadron FAA, HMS Triumph, Fall 1950 (November Theme, “Land of the Morning Calm”). While I believe the Spitfire to be the most beautiful aircraft ever designed, the Seafire FR.47 is nearly my favorite of the line. In this livery it’s very attractive and the slim lines of the original Spitfire are taken to their limits. The only challenging portion of this build was the prop -- I wanted it to turn and may just replace it with a set that is permanently fixed. The vac canopy was no trouble at all.


Airfix Spitfire Mk I (early), K9794, WZ T, 19 Squadron RAF, Duxford August 1938. Responding to another modeler who attempted to build their new tooling Spitfire and experienced an awful mess, I documented and shared my build as part of the same Airfix Group Build. I decided to complete it with spare decals from a CMR Mk I, as this was a scheme I wanted in my collection; albeit very close to the kit scheme.


Fujimi Spitfire FR XIVe, 2 Squadron, 2nd TAF, RAF Wunsdorf, Germany, 1947. I began this build based on Paul Lucas’ excellent Camouflage & Markings, RAF Fighters 1945-1950 Overseas Based. Using period photos that appear to show a very dark scheme he surmised these were FR XIVe in the low-level recce scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey, Extra Dark Sea Green over PRU Mauve. Alas, more recent research indicates that while authorized, no FR XIVe were painted thus, and all were delivered in a modified DFS of Dark Green, Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey with a Night spinner. A fairly easy build, I had to modify the tail wheel to be retractible and open the starboard camera port. My first use of the newer Tamiya paints for the DFS.

Those last 3 will get their own postings soon in order to provide the usual details.  I failed to complete the MPM Spitfire FR Mk XVIII, but December was just too busy for me. 

I also got my other blog started, focused on all my models, not just Spitfires.

Thanks for looking.

Mk Va, R7347, USA Summer 1941

Spitfire Mk Va, R7347, assigned to USAAF for testing, Summer 1941

It seems there is always much to learn about the Spitfire.  When my interest in the Spitfire first began, I probably did what most modelers do:  I made a list.  The list started with Mk I, followed by II, III, IV, et cetera until I thought (wrongly at the time) that I had the full List of All Spitfire Marks that began with I in 1939 and ended with XVI in 1945.  I filled it in as I read about the different marks and where they were used.  Rarely did I see the II, never a III or IV nor a VI; an occasional VIII, lots of V and IX.  No X, XI or XIII.  No XV.  Oh joy, it’s really not a big list so it won’t take me long to make one of each just to see what they looked like, in the flesh (plastic) which was all I’d expect given how rare they are.

Then those darned suffix letters cropped up.  What could that be?  After nearly a year of reading and collecting books I realized it was the armament...sort of.  And the Mark number was basically tied to the engine...sort of.  Some other minor refinements came to play as well.  Suddenly my list grew.  And I hadn’t considered where the PR variants fell, nor those prefix letters.  That's a story for another day...

The Mk V came about as a response to the Me-109F.  Faster and higher flying than the Emil it was replacing, it outclassed the Mk I/II in frontline service with the RAF in 1940-41.  Like any good aircraft manufacturer, Supermarine was working with the RAF to develop a better Spitfire in the guise of the Mk III.  However so many improvements to the basic airframe as well as a new engine meant critical delays in production and one must remember that at the time, the RAF was licking its wounds from the BoB and facing Rommel in the desert.

So the obvious question was asked, “What if we stick the new Merlin on a Mk II airframe, and do it such that we don’t have to modify the airframe so much?”  The engine in the Mk III was the Merlin XX; which was needed for the Hurricane II so an uprated Merlin 45 that was based on the Merlin III was chosen.  It fit the cowling of the Mk I/II and just needed some slight mods that were easy and quick to implement.  The engine was “hotter” so needed a bit more cooling...the larger oil cooler from the Mk III would do.  A bit more torque so we’ll need to stiffen the fuselage...that’s a bit easy.  The Mk V was born and would be a short production run until the Mk III was ready.

History tells us the Mk III was cancelled and the Mk V the most produced single Mk of the Spitfire family (if one doesn’t combine the Mk IX and XVI production).  So much for an interim type.

The Aircraft
When Mk V production began, the cannon armed wing was still causing problems.  So initial production was the 8-gun Va. The intent all along was to make the Mk V a cannon armed variant. Some Mk V were conversions from earlier Mk I/II airframes.  Later in 1941 when the cannon armed “b” wing was fixed most surviving Mk Va aircraft were retrofitted to the Vb standard; as well as any Mk Ib/IIb that were still operational.  Some didn’t but those generally were no longer considered front line aircraft and were used for OTU duties.

R7347 was one of the last of a batch of Mk I’s ordered as Mk I’s but delivered as Mk Va.  Delivered in April 1941 to 39 Maintenance Unit, then transferred to the USAAF for testing at Wright Field later in April 1941, arriving in November 1941.  It remained there for testing until January 1943.  Unfortunately, I do not yet know the fate of R7347.

References: Spitfire the History, RAF Fighters 1945-1950 Overseas Based, Spitfire in Action

The Model
There are currently three alternatives for making a Mk Va:

1. AZModel (limited run, limited availability but a very nice model)
2. Airfix Mk I/IIa (contains the parts but no instructions)
3. Bash together a Mk I/IIa with a Mk Vb to get a Mk I/IIb and a Mk Va (been there, done that, it didn’t work for me)

I have the AZModel kit but I’m reserving that for the usual Va subject, Douglas Bader’s W3185/DB that he was shot down in while over France in 1942.

The recent tooling by Airfix includes not only all the parts necessary to model the Mk I and Mk II, but the larger oil cooler for the Mk V as well as the proper De Havilland prop.  When first released in 2009 there was speculation that a Mk Va was soon to follow, but after 3 years still no Mk Va from Airfix.  So it was off to the spares box for decals.

It turns out the AZModel boxing has the decals for R7347 when tested in the US.  That certainly makes this all very easy. 

Construction is straightforward, but use part numbers 41 and 42 for the oil cooler, the round exhausts parts 21 and 22, and the DH prop.  Photos show the IFF aerials, so I drilled 0.1mm holes on each side, at about frame 17.5.  That is about 12 inches forward of frame 18, which is the extreme trailing edge of the wing/fuselage fairing.  I then measure up 9 inches from the horizontal stringer that aligns with the bottom of the cockpit door.  My method for installing these after all painting and decalling is done, is to superglue one end of the invisible thread into the elevator hinge line (underneath where you can't see them) and once cured run each into the holes.  Using tweezers I pull the IFF antenna taught through the cockpit opening and put a drop of glue to hold them.  I then put the canopy on. You won't see them on this model as I didn't put them on...frankly I forgot and the canopy is on, so there you have it.

Now, technically when on the ground the IFF aerials should be disconnected from the horizontal stabilizers so a ground mechanic or plane captain cannot accidently break it; but it looks "wrong" to me as a model when done correctly because it appears the antenna are broken off. 

Painting is standard Spitfire scheme for April 1941: Temperate Land Scheme of Dark Green (Humbrol Hu116), Dark Earth (Hu29) with Sky (Hu90) undersides, spinner and fuselage band.  I used acrylics throughout.  Night serial and no squadron codes.

Summary
An easy build, albeit I didn't do this one over a weekend, I could have had I wanted to.  I spent extra time on it and unfortunately the build got delayed by 3 months when I transferred due to a job change.

Thanks for looking...

A Spitfire from Down Under

Spitfire Mk Vc Trop, BS219/ZP-X, 457 Squadron, RAAF, 1943, F/O Frank "Bush" Hamilton, Camden NSW



Until the Sword Vc arrived the only real option was to use the Airfix kit. Since the Revell Vb wing is poor on a good day, I decided to graft a spare Vc wing from an Airfix kit (using the kit to make a Vb) and the fuselage of the Revell kit. I could have done a much better job with it, and I hope to replace this particular subject someday. This was built back in 2010.

The Subject

BS219 was part of the first group of Spitfires sent to Australia. Bush Hamilton enlisted in the RAF in 1940, earned his wings in July 1941 and was posted back to Australia in May 1942. He and BS219 were joined together in November 1942 and remained together until June 1943 when he was listed as missing in action whilst flying another aircraft. He had 3 kills to his credit when he was lost. BS219 remained with 457 Squadron until November 1943.

The aircraft was probably delivered in Dark Earth, Middle Stone over Azure Blue as it was originally intended for operations in the Middle East. The desert scheme was not appropriate to Australia so the Middle Stone was overpainted with Foliage Green. Additionally, the red centers to the national markings were removed as well as the red from the fin flash. The fuselage band and spinner were probably RAAF Sky Blue, which is slightly different than RAF Sky Blue.

The Model

My first attempt at making a Vc turned out pretty good. With that one I married a spare CMR Seafire wing to a Revell Vb fuselage and I liked the result. This time around I chose to use a spare Airfix wing from a Vc kit. I don't think it came out very well, but that's because I chose not to thin the Airfix wing. To be fair, it fit well at the leading edge of the wing root and in my haste to do this subject I had glued the wing halves together before I realized the trailing edge was so thick.

Construction was very straight forward, really not any different than any other Spitfire kit. I did have to fiddle with the Vokes filter to make it all fit, but that came out pretty well.



For paint I used Humbrol 29 for Dark Earth, Aeromaster Medium Green (the USAAF color) for Foliage Green and an early recipe of Testors Azure Blue with 6 drops of Testors Red to make it just a bit more purple. The Sky Blue trim is the only acrylic, it was Pollyscale RAF Sky Blue.

It was sealed with Future (Kleer) before decals. The decals are from Aeromaster sheet 72-141 and went on perfectly using the Microscale system of Set first, then Sol. I sealed with a coat of Future with a drop of Testors clear Flat in the paint cup; this tones down the glossiness of the Future but leaves a smooth finish.

I was a bit heavy handed on the weathering, too much wash and "up close" it looks like I missed some areas. I also realized, too late, that the wing walk way stripe should be under the national marking, not over it.

Summary

This was an easy conversion, but as mentioned above, I could do better. I've got a Sword Vc in the works and it is much much nicer, both as a basic kit for building and the finesse of the details. I like the subject, but don't have those markings anymore; I've got similar markings so will probably use those on a future Vc from "down under".




Thanks for looking...

Seafire Ib, MB345/K, 885 Squadron

Seafire Ib, MB345/K, 885 Squadron, HMS Formidable, May 1943



This was my first Spitfire conversion, built way back in 2006 or 2007 (I'm not sure when).

The Subject

MB345 was originally delivered as a Mk Vb, serial AR445, and converted to Seafire Ib standard in 1942. In January 1943 it was assigned to 885 Squadron.

This is a well photographed aircraft, typically on the deck FORMIDABLE and during the Sicily and Italy campaigns of 1943. I chose this subject for a simple reason: it was dead easy!

The Model

Just like the real aircraft this model started out as the Airfix Vb. The tooling is showing its age, but shape wise is still very accurate. Modifications were easy: I used a resin Seafire hook conversion (forgotten who made it) and added the strengthening panels to the sides using think plastic card. All done with the conversion.



Decals were sourced from my spares, using standard 8 inch black numerals and cutting out a white K from decal film.  The decals were of course applied over Future (Kleer) and then sealed under another coat of Future.



Paints were enamels, I used Humbrol paints that were listed as Tropical Sea Scheme colors for Dark Slate Grey, Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky. I won't list the colors because today I don't think they look right; at the time I had no idea what was righ or wrong for the TSS and when done this one didn't "look" right and still doesn't.

Summary

This was an easy conversion and I learned much about working with resin as this was also one of my first attempts at using resin extras other than simple wheels or props. I enjoyed the build and while it isn't as nice as the CMR kit (I have that one) it does fill a place on my shelf.

Thanks for looking...