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Malta Spitfire 1/72nd style +++ completed pics +++

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  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Malta Spitfire 1/72nd style +++ completed pics +++
Posted by jgeratic on Saturday, December 29, 2012 2:08 PM

Just finished this one for the 1942 GB...    Sword's 1/72 scale Spitfire Vc trop.  The specific aircraft markings are from Xtradecal X72-161 The Battle for Malta RAF set, but I did use the kit's stencils.  I added Quickboost exhausts, but had to scratch add the piping located to the rear of the stacks, made of 0.5mm styrene rod. 

Also had an Eduard PE set, but only used the screens for the larger radiator, but main reason for this AM product was for the landing gear doors.  The kit's parts were too thick and actually sat on top of the wing instead of being flush - this was about the only complaint with this kit, that and the stencil placement, the orientation of which sometimes conflicted with other sources.

The yellow codes were characteristic of 185 Squadron.  A decade old SAM publication states yellow was chosen because at a distance it blended well into the dark earth and midstone scheme.  Xtradecal also portrays the aircraft as such.  The more recent Osprey publication on Malta aces is different.  It retains the yellow codes, but is finished overall in some sort of blue-grey scheme.  As a compromise, I've introduced the unknown blue-grey (possibly extra dark sea grey) only to the nose area.  I also added a very faded look of this colour on the wing and tail surfaces via weathering powders of the appropriate colours.

One of several pilots that flew BR294 was Canadian Wilbert Dodd.  He actually flew this particular aircraft to Malta off the carrier Eagle during Operation Bowery, March 29 1942.  This Spitfire was eventually struck off charge due to extensive damage from actions of July 1st and 2nd.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: N. Georgia
Posted by Jester75 on Saturday, December 29, 2012 3:22 PM

Dang, nice work for 72nd. Like the dusty look you achieved.

Eric

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Saturday, December 29, 2012 3:35 PM

Really sharp!

Glenn

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Saturday, December 29, 2012 3:47 PM

A beauty, Jack--and in 1/72!!  Excellent.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington State
Posted by leemitcheltree on Saturday, December 29, 2012 9:36 PM

That looks great.....and the oil staining underneath really looks like it follows the slipstream....very well done.

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Sunday, December 30, 2012 2:25 AM

Eric, Glenn, cmking02 and leemitchel, thanks for your comments.

Popular opinion has it that this Sword kit is the best out there in terms of accuracy and detail for this subject and scale.  So if you are a fan of 1/72 Spits, you won't go wrong in adding one of these to your stash.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: UK
Posted by antoni on Sunday, December 30, 2012 3:28 AM

jgeratic1

 that and the stencil placement, the orientation of which sometimes conflicted with other sources.

 

Sword have made a pig's ear of the stencils, many of them shown rotated ninety degrees (at right angles) to their proper orientation. Use an instruction sheet from another manufacturer’s kit or an after market decal sheet if you can find one or already have one.   BTW the tiny letter 'M's under the tailplane were most often placed on the 'D' shaped inspection covers.

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Sunday, December 30, 2012 8:44 AM

Jack that came out great,really awesome weathering! What did you use for the streaked staining underneath? Really looks spot on! cheers Trey

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Sunday, December 30, 2012 9:49 AM

Very nice build and weathering!

Mike

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Sunday, December 30, 2012 12:37 PM

Antoni - thanks for dropping by.  Unfortunately as is often the case, I only found out the errors in stencil placement after the fact.

Trey and Mike, thank you for commenting.

The oil streaking was a three part step, with a fourth corrective step.  Using Vallejo colours thinned down to varying degrees with both water and future to give a slight sheen.  

- first laid down a thin layer of ochre over the whole area.  

- next came black red for the more grimier looking oil stains.

- lastly a little prussian blue added to darken the black red for more heavier streaking.

After setting it aside, I came back and realized it looked overdone.  So instead of redoing everything, I cut several thin strips of Tamiya tape and masked the four prominant streaks that you see now, as well as most of the rear side areas as they seemed alright.  Sprayed the underside light blue over this, removed the masks, some final touch ups and that was it.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Sunday, December 30, 2012 3:04 PM

Jack it worked great! Thanks for sharing the process!

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 2:36 PM

Trey, you are welcome.

note... I've since replaced with a new set of photos shot with a white background, seems the black was absorbing too much of the light.  Also enabled the flash, but covered it with a piece of tissue to avoid an overly stark look.  This also seemed to help with sharpness, likely as exposure time was drastically cut down.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    December 2008
Posted by ryoung on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 7:39 PM

Best oil stains and streaking I've ever seen, fantastic job, and 1/72.....wow

Ryan

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 7:50 PM

Jack, that is some serious weathering. Love the job you did using powders for the fading, very realistic. That's an excellent build! Yes

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 12:46 AM

Ryan and Mike,

- thanks for looking, I really appreciate the comments.

regards,

Jack

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