Revell 1/32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa "Build Update #4" (9.10.15)
Well, 9 days have passed since my last update, but, it was the Labor Day weekend here in the States and he missus took Thursday and Friday off to take a 5 day break from the office. Her sister from Florida was with us, too. Therefore, nothing done until Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday) of this week. That said, I completed her, and this update shows what I did since "Build Update #3" to reach completion.
First, I sealed the previously applied decals with a gloss clear coat and in preparation for adding my weathering:
I started my weathering by adding chipping to the model. I had originally intended to use the "Hairspray" technique, but after applying silver paint, sealing it in with a clear coat, then applying hairspray before painting the plane, I sealed the paint with a clear coat ready for decaling, complete brain fart moment! Ha well, there's always more ways to skin a cat, and so, I used files to remove the camo paint to expose the silver beneath:
After the chipping was done, I then mixed a green/olive drab color oil filter and applied that all over the upper side camo colors. I allowed it to dry for 30 minutes, then removed the excess with kitchen towel, leaving enough on to provide the tonal variation I was looking for. I allowed it to dry for 3 hrs then sealed it with a gloss clear coat:
I let the clear coat dry overnight and then I mixed a dark dirt wash with black oil paint and odorless spirit, adding a smidgeon of white to make it look dark brown/black. I applied it liberally all over the plane, allowed it to dry for 30 minutes, then removed the excess with kitchen towel, leaving on an amount that was pleasing to my eyes:
I then mixed a reddish/brown oil wash and applied some streaks and stains here and there, allowed it to dry for a few hours then airbrushed my final matt/flat clear coat onto everything:
While the flat clear coat was drying on everything, I moved onto the canopy sections. First I masked all the separate parts, then airbrushed interior green onto the exposed frames and let it dry for 1 hr. I then airbrushed the exterior Dark Green camo color on top, allowed that to dry for 1 hr, then sealed it all with a matt/flat clear coat. I then carefully removed the masking tape, but some paint peeled in spots, and so, I touched up those areas. I then glued the front bullet proof shield to the windshield:
When the matt/flat clear coat had dried on the plane, I then applied the exhaust stains and the stains around the 8 .303" browning machine guns- 4 in each wing leading edge. I used Tamiya XF-1 Black mixed with some Tamiya XF-52 Dark Earth thinned down with X-20A thinners at a 20/80 ratio. then thinned down some Tamiya XF-55 Deck Tan with X-20A thinners at a 20/80 ratio and airbrushed some on top of the previously airbrushed darker exhaust stains:
When that was completed, it was now time to gather up all the lose parts in readiness for the final assembly!
I started the final assembly with the rudder actuator, followed by the gun-sight:
I then fitted the Pilot's door in the open position followed by gluing the windshield and rear canopy section into place. There were some small gaps around the front windshield which I filled in:
Next, I fitted the propeller which spins, then followed that by fitting the rear wheel:
I then assembled the undercarriage parts together and glued them into their corresponding locations beneath the plane:
Next, I fitted the flaps, but first, I had to slice the end section on both flaps to help separate it for the change in angle on the underside of the aircraft where they fitted to:
Next, I fitted the aerial, followed by the upper dorsal light lens and then the tail mounted antenna tensioner. This was painted to match the camo colors around it:
I then fitted the pitot tube, painted it, then fitted the Pilot's rear view mirror:
The last part of the assembly was to fit the antenna cables using 1.010" black EZ-Line:
She was now complete and ready for a "Final Reveal" photo shoot, but, until that time comes, I hope you enjoyed this update, and, if you'd like to watch my YouTube "Build Update #4" video, here is the link to that:
https://youtu.be/9hji8HogpgA
Until my "Final Reveal", thanks for watching and commenting, much appreciated! 
Happy modeling and have fun!
Cheers! 
Martin