Andrew Doppel Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 (edited) As the heading states, I'm doing the recent Tamiya Mk.VIII Spitfire release in the markings of RAAF Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes whilst with No. 80 Squadron, Morotai Island 1945. At this stage I have done some preliminary painting of interior green on the cockpit parts and whilst waiting for them to dry just couldn't help myself to put together the 'Mighty Merlin' Should have some more for you guys come the weekend as I put the cockpit together. If anyone has built this kit is there any tips as I have heard that the cowlings don't fit properly with the magnets. Regards Andrew Edited October 25, 2011 by Andrew Doppel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Cool im not a big spitfire fan but that scheme looks awesome i might have to get one of those kits... Plus you get a mouse pad!! Cheers Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Cool im not a big spitfire fan but that scheme looks awesome i might have to get one of those kits... Plus you get a mouse pad!! Cheers Neo Worth the price of admission right there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 Update as of 30/7/11 I need to touch up the silver in the fuselage as I ripped the tape off to quickly and pulled up some paint and also touch up the interior green on the instrument panel when my airbrush had a black splatter attack however, I don't think you'll be able to see this too much when done. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blunce Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Good to see some progress. I'm anxious to see this one finished! Perhaps your black paint was not thin enough and/or too low air pressure? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Don't be to anxious Blunce, there's a lot to this kit. The Merlin alone was almost 30 individual pieces and yet it is not finished. Here's some progress though. I have dry brushed the inside of the fuselage around the cockpit area and touched a couple of things up. The main instrument panel is together as well as the seat which now has to be painted before adding the PE seat belts supplied in the kit. I hope you like how it looks. Tamiya got this right so far. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 (edited) Some more cockpit work for you guys. The seat is painted and mounted on the armour plate which is PE supplied with the kit and then everything is dry fitted. Stil need to add seat belts to the seat obviously. These are supplied as P/E in the kit. Hope you like the next stage. Sorry about the shoddy photography but you'll get the idea. Regards Andrew Edited August 26, 2011 by Andrew Doppel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 God I love Spits. Keep going! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 GREAT JOB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 Thanks guys, Due to work commitments I haven't really had a chance to do anymore. Might get some done tonight though. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Lower seat belts painted and added to the seat (Just need to paint the eyelets) and the seat frame has been glued together. I have done the port side internal wall instruments but just need to dry brush these Dry fitting of the wall instruments to the cockpit frame. Nice tight fit too Next will be the starboard side wall instruments and the main harness then its into the fuselage! I hope you like the progress? Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 that a neat little office Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blunce Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Looks like fun, and you're doin' that kit some justice for sure! Keep us posted! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks Neo and Blunce for your comments. Here's another update which should impress.......I hope so anyway. Full harness now fitted Starboard wall instruments dry fitted in place Overhead view of the cockpit area The fit of the cockpit is so good that I haven't used any glue to fit it before joining The vertical tail dry fitted in place You can see by the instructions how complex this kit is. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Looking good Andrew Cant wait to see some paint on it. But take your time these big guys can get complicated Cheers Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I want to just sit right in that cockpit and start playing around. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 Thanks guys Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 The presure is on now that I have had a bit of a hiatus from the Spit and have done a couple of quick builds (RAN A4-G Skyhawk and a couple of Egg planes-display case) as I have been commissioned to build four RAAF CAC Sabres (3 x 1/48, 1 x 1/32) so I need to get this done. So, tonight I built up the tail planes, rear tail wheel, main planes, wing tips (dry fitted at this stage) and the coolers. I hope to have most of this completed tomorrow night so I can start fitting the Merlin onto the fuselage. I hope you like the update. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) Well it's time to make magic with the Merlin and see if we can get it fitted correctly as I have heard some have had issues with the upper cowling not fitting correctly. I am starting to think that there may be paint on by Friday with luck. Firstly the Merlin itself was dry brushed before it was added to the basic frame work. I'm going to hit with some smoke to give it depth and maybe some umber for dirt as operating in the Australian outback and island hopping would've caused these Tropically used spits to get a tad dirty Dry fitted to the fuselage to see how things look Then the rest of the tanks, coolers and framework were attached Then the cowlings were tested with their magnetic hold and whala! The gap at the front will close when locked in by the propellor later. Regards Andrew Edited October 9, 2011 by Andrew Doppel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Impressive work so far Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Cheers Dirk, Last nights work included the ailerons and inserting them, the flaps and undercarriage legs so it now actually sits as well as some other little bits and pieces. I was too tired in the end to take pics but I should have some for you tonight when I can almost say the actual build will be finished. Stand by. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blunce Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 That Merlin looks AMAZING Andrew! Pressures on now with the commission builds and the GB end date less than 2 months away! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 No sweat! Painting started as below Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 One coat of paint down on underside, topside to start tomorrow night. regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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