Stefan buysse Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Hi, Perfect day to start the thread. :) Here are the kits and the decals. Spitfire GB 05March by StefanBuysse, on Flickr I'll be combining parts of both kits to build Cannon-armed MkIa R6776 "QV-H" flown by George Unwin and MkVa W3185 flown by Douglas Bader. That is the MkVa that Bader was shot down in on the 9th of August 1941. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nickdanger Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 Aces of the Empire ! Arguably the most amazing aftermarket decal set ever. I'm a proud owner as well ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Hi, So far, I have only removed the pairs of reinforcement strips from the upper wings of the Mk V kit. I can only hope that I'll be able to make that area somewhat smooth again. I noticed that the Mk V kit only has the pointed spinner, so I'll have to take blunt one from another kit. Fortunately, I have a pair of untouched Mk I's that intend to build as PR Spitfires with Pavla sets. Maybe later in this GB, I'll enter one of those as well. I have a Yahu models PE instrument panel on the way. It will be interesting to see how that compares with a kit instrument panel with paint and Airscale Instrument dial decals. For the first time, I'll be using the Eduard Express masks for the camo schemes. The Mk Va is in the A scheme and the Mk I in the B scheme, so it will be nice to have the two next to each other. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Hi, To avoid mistakes later, I glued the oil coolers onto the intended wing. That is: the round Mk V oil cooler onto the Mk I wing and the Mk I's oil cooler onto the Mk V wing. I also sprayed some primer on the Mk V wing to check if I had the repaired surface well enough on the spot where I had removed the strips. wings&oil coolers by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Good start and good thinking gluing parts on ahead of time to avoid confusion. Looking forward to more updates. Don. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Good Start. Happy Easter Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Thanks, guys. My Tamiya Mk I did not have the armor plates, so I made them from plasticard. Behind the seats is another thing I had to make sure not to forget: add the Mk I style exhausts to the Mk V airframe (which will be the cannon-armed Mk I). For DB's Mk Va, I have some lovely Quickboost exhausts. Plasticard plates by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Hey that armor looks the business Stefan ! Nice stuff. Don. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks, Don. I had look at my Eduard camouflage masks. The instructions for the masks say that the exhausts are to be installed after the model has been painted. Luckily, there is still that new Mk I intended for a PR Spitfire. I'll swap the fuselages. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 The instructions for the masks say... Cheers, Stefan. Instructions...shminstructions! Real men don't read instructions. According to The Boss, that's the root cause of many of my problems. <_< You'll come out smelling like roses on your builds. Keep it up. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 Instructions...shminstructions! Real men don't read instructions. Mike Hi, Ah, instructions. Like I said, I'll probably end up using the fuselage with the exhausts glued on for a PR Spitfire. I'm thinking about Shorty Longbottom's PR Mk Ia N3071. The Pavla conversion set instructions show this one with a camera installation in the fuselage (should not be there), the camera's in the wing are not illustrated. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted June 13, 2016 Author Share Posted June 13, 2016 Hi, Finally, I got something done on one of my Spitfires. I was out of town for a while, but I also hit a bit of builders' block. I played around with some other kits, I wasn't happy with the way my airbrushing went. Then I remembered that Nick Danger said: "I am a preshader". I adjusted my needle and undertook my first attempt at pre-shading. At least my airbrushing is more precise than it was a few days ago. I hope I'm on my way to a good Spitfire again. Spitfire preshaded by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share Posted July 23, 2016 Hi, Time to post a small update. ARC Spitfire 23Jul by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 3, 2016 Author Share Posted August 3, 2016 Hi, Here are the exhausts. Douglas Bader's Mk V will get the Quickboost exhausts, the Mk I will get kit exhausts. This first picture shows the exhausts with a coat of Tamiya XF-6 "Copper". They looked much nicer in reality, the photo looks very red brown while XF-6 gives a really nice copper look. Spitfire exhausts copper by StefanBuysse, on Flickr The same thing happened after the exhausts received a dark wash. The picture makes them look grey, but they look a lot nicer in reality. Spitfire exhausts wash by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 Hi, Both now have the fuselages attached to the wings, the MkI has a first coat of Sky on its underside. Spitfires 08August by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 Hi, The Mk I has a full coat of Sky underneath and Dark Earth on top. She looks like she's made of milk chocolate. :) Tomorrow, when it's all really dry, I'll add the masks and spray the Dark Green. Spitfire Dark Earth by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) Hi, The Mk I is fully painted now. Since this shot was taken she also got a coat of Future. The Mk Va has its underside in Sky and will receive the Dark earth tomorrow. Mk I painted by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Edited August 12, 2016 by Stefan buysse Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share Posted August 14, 2016 Hi, The Mk I has received a wash. The Mk V will get some masking and will be given its Dark Earth paint later today. Two Spitfires 14Aug by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 Hi, There is a bit of trouble with the Dark Earth around the cockpit and on top of the fuel tank of the Mk V. It looks a bit like the "orange peel" effect, but I don't think that is really it. I had been sanding in the area and it looks like I sanded with really coarse sanding paper. Maybe the coat of primer after the sanding repelled some of the paint. I will try to alleviate the problem with a coat of Alclad microfiller. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Hi, The cannon armed Mk I is nearly finished. Spitfire Mk I 18Aug by StefanBuysse, on Flickr I have an Ultracast prop for her. The stencils are from BarracudaCals. I wondered which of the prop logos I should use 29 or 30, so I Googled "Rotol prop logo". That got me this interesting link http://www.network54.com/Search/view/149674/1386236847/2+quick+notes+for+guys+building+RAF+and+FAA+prop+aircraft.?term=blogs&page=13765 with some commentary from Roy from Barracuda himself. The fancy prop logo's are just a warbird thing. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Hi, Still some final small things to do before we cross the finish line...like adding a tailwheel to the Mk Va. :) They'll both have Ultracast props but the Mk I has a Tamiya prop for the picture. The Mk Va was intended to look really new as she was in service for a short while before she was shot down. With all the touch-ups that is not going to work out. I find the "DB" code quite impressive... if you see this one in the air, there is no doubt it's Douglas Bader. Spitfires 27 Aug by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Looking good Well done Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 Thanks, Martin. Here is one of them just before I finish. I must add rearview mirrors, the navigation light on top of the fuselage and the main gear wheels. Yesterday, I installed the radio wires and the IFF "Cheesecutter" aerials using EZ line. I'm quite pleased with that product. Spitfire almost done by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Here's a view to show off the wires. cheesecutter by StefanBuysse, on Flickr Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Hi, The Spitfires are finished. Spitfires finished-1 by StefanBuysse, on Flickr I'll post more pictures in the finished builds thread. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nickdanger Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I had to do a double take on that picture of the antennae rigging! Looked like there were twice as many as expected until i realized that I was looking at their shadows! Nice work. They look great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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