Spitfire pic ......I hope

You got it spot on, Bob that was the photo I used / was inspired by.

Was having a little discussion with a friend in the UK ( on Armorama.com) re: "You can't have enough Spitfires", ran across the photo and couldn't resist.

Chuck

Hi Madda
The underside colour used on tropical Spits was most commonly "Azure Blue".
The "useless hump between the wheels" that you are refering to, I think may be the slipper tank. It came in 30, 45, 90, and 170 gal. sizes. You don't need to have it on your Spitfire.
Hi crshanley
Thats a neat diorama. Did you work from the original well published photo of the Germans painting the downed Spitfire? I recognize the scene.
Cheers
Bob S.

How about a little Spitfire conversion in progress ?

I'm doing the Vokes filter. I guess I'll just drybrush the screen with aluminum directly over the brass which is a bit dark. I'll probably hit the insides of the filter with interior green then the outside with duck egg blue and not be careful to eliminate overspray. I think I'm going to leave off the big useless hump between the wheels though, that thing is ugly.

Hi Madda
Yes, the inside skin of the oil cooler, except the actual radiator of course, will be the same colour as the underside of the a/c. The same applies to the coolant radiator.
If I remember correctly, you are doing a tropical Mk Vb. the "screen" inside would be a dark metal colour. The metal skin would be interior green on the inside but possibly the underside colour would get oversprayed in there too. Are you doing one with a Vokes filter or one with an Aboukir filter.

I just got the elevators on mine cut loose and fit back. the little hinges were kind of a struggle in 1/72, but now that I got everything matched up, it looks good. Since it's now 4 pieces, I'm going to wait until I glue them to attach the elevators again, but it should be nice. I cut the door out of the side and replaced it with the photoetch one, looks nice, but I haven't glued it yet either as it's not painting time yet.

One more question if you don't mind Bob, The inside of the air filter, the screen in there specificially, and the inside of the oil cooler under the starboard wing, would the insides of these be painted the same color as the belly of the craft? I'd assume so, but I'm not sure about the oil cooler.

Hi Shrikes
Spitfires always have dropped elevators unless the control lock is used in the cockpit. It is actually easy to model but was seldom used, as seen in wartime photos. Most times if they wanted to lock the controls they would wrap the harness around the spade grip and tighten it up, this in turn holding the elevators in the full "up" position.
Hi Liam
Send me an e-mail direct and I will explain how I did it. Maddafinga explained it to me and if I can do it, anybody can because when it comes to computers I haven't a clue about what people are talking about with all the jargon. I have been helping madda with his Spitfire and he helped me with the picture posting. The least I can do is pass it on.
Cheers
Bob S.

05-01-04
Hey Bob. Mind passing on the trick of including a photo with the post? I have one or two I'd like to show too but have never quite figured it out.
The two-seater Spitfire is awaiting it's rear canoipy. I believe a compan in England is about t orelease a conversion kit that will include 2 vac-form canopies for the rear section. Kit will include the fuselage and two sets of markings, one of which will be the Irish Air Corps.
Liam

Nice! I like the dropped elevators! One day i'm going to convert a kit to do just that!

Nice job, Bob.

Hi Madda
The worn and chipped area was done with aluminum paint and I was thinking about maybe doing my method up as an article for FSM. I have never tried the salt method but mine is pretty easy. Paul Boyer is always looking for short little articles so I might try to do one for him.
Cheers
Bob S.

beautifull birdy bob,great weathering

'Twas the least I could do...

How did you get that worn and chipped paint effect on the wing root? I have been thinking about using salt or maybe just cutting a brush and stippling the chips on, but hadn't decided on anything yet as I'm not to that point in my build.

Well.....whaddya know!
Thanks Josh for seeing me thruogh this.
Cheers
Bob S.

Here we go again

Hi Madda
Thanks for the help but I don't know what you mean. Can you e-mail me direct? robert.swaddling@sympatico.ca
The inside of the flaps on a Spitfire are the same colour as the underside. Nobody ever sees them though as Spits are hardly ever seen with them in the "down" position. Of course it is up to you, but I suggest not wasting your time and effort on Spitfire flaps but do cut the elevators loose and have them in the full "down" position.
The interior colour is well represented by Testor's Model Master paint. It is a very light grey/green. Late Spitfires were not painted from frame 12 back on the interior.
Cheers
Bob S.

Hey Bob. Put the link inbetween that should do it with no problem. Just a quick question on spits as long as I'm here, what color would the inside area of the flaps be? Did the Brits use regular old green zinc chromate?

<img src=http://img6.photobucket.com/albums/v16/N521R/MVC-331F.JPG>