New 1/48 Eduard Spitfire MK IXC Work in Progess Build...FINISHED...

antoni

As far as the decals are concerned, they are not Techmod. It says printed in the Czech Republic, Techmod usually put their name on anything they do.

Thanks a pants load guys.  Thanks for the warning Antoni.  I'm glad they give you a disclaimer so you can't be fooled.  Nah, I'm just kidding.  I'll remember this technique if I ever "just have to have" a Techmod subject.  Also, thank you for sharing your vast knowledge of the Spit.  I always find your input extremely useful. 

Joe

I'm gonna call her done.  Here is the finished example in the markings of Jerry Billing's Spitfire MK IXc out of Tangmere (some sources say Biggin Hill) on June 7th 1944.  During my research, I discovered that Billing was actually better at getting shot down than actually doing the shooting.   He bailed out of a Spitfire 3 times with the last being behind enemy lines for which he evaded capture.  All kidding aside, Billing flew two tours, participated in 250 plus sorties and was in the skies over the D-Day landing in Normandy keeping the Luftwaffe off our boys.  My hat is off to you sir and thank you for your bravery and service.   Billing flew the subject I chose not only on D-Day, but on D-Day "plus one" where he flamed a JU 88 and "squirted at" (Fighter pilot jargon?) two FW 190's.

Now for the kit.  All I can say is wow.  It's definitely the best 1/48 Spitfire and from the looks of the sprues, there will be more variants.  It is unrivaled in attention to detail and ease of construction.  In my opinion, it needs absolutely nothing in regards to aftermarket and its the first subject I've done completely by what's offered in the box.  Look out Tamiya. This said,  I do have gripes though, albeit small.  The first is the two piece cowl.  They can hollow out the exhaust and gun barrels but they can't make a once piece cowl.  It was certainly an exercise in sanding to avoid erasing the rivet detail and I still have a ghost seam line that can be seen under certain light.  I guess Eduard wants us to keep our basic modeling skills in check in my case the lack thereof.  Next, Eduard continues their trend of unnecessarily complicating things. The gear wells and radiators come in too many pieces and if you don't pay attention, they are easy to mess up.  I survived by paying attention to the instructions.  Finally, I don't like the circular plug at the bottom of the gear leg which inserts into the kit wheels.  It completely inhibits aftermarket wheels and forces you to use the kit wheels which are average at best.    Also, for some reason, when I installed the gear legs, the wheels were ever so slightly "toed- out".  I dry-fitted everything before glue and it appears to be kit design.  Maybe the MK. IX was designed this way.  Oh....and the decals, but I'm just not going there again. 

Enough yapping, here's some pictures.  Thank you for following this thread and comments are welcome.

Joe

* Note:  Slight toe-out of the wheels.  Its kind of "Bf 109 ish".  I might have to fix this.

First class build Joe!! Just want to say thanks for taking the time to post these builds pic by pic and give the narrative. Can't wait to see the next one!

Not much to add in the compliment dept. on this one Joe, WOW!  Makes me want to dig into a Spit and soon.  Everything looks 

Thanks Eric.  Reasoned, dig in, you won't be disappointed.  I wish I would have dusted off that white spec of lint or dirt on the starboard roundel before snapping the pictures.  I can't believe I didn't notice that. Its like the mole in Austin Powers..lol!

Joe

Wow.

I learned many things just quickly reading this excellent thread. I was taken by your initial cockpit work, later to realise I hadn't seen nothin' yet. :)

Thank you for the shots of the rolled blu-tac for the camo mask. I've been scratching my head for a couple months trying to figure out how I'm going to get soft lines on my current newbie build when I get there. Problem solved. You are my hero of the week. (it never fails to amaze me how simple a solution is once I see it done.

Excellent work. I have wanted to order this kit so badly, but I think I'd better get some more experience under my belt, don't want to mess it up.

Thanks Greg and your welcome.  Order it and build it, you won't regret it.  It would be hard to mess this kit up, It practically builds itself.  

Joe

beautiful work lawdog!!! beautiful kit indeed. can't wait to start mine. got some desert markings on hold.

I just got finished readin gthis thread. Having been undecided whether I want to get the 1/48th scale Spitfire Mk. XIc in wither Hasegawa or ICM, it looks now maybe I might want to get this brand.

lawdog114

Thanks Greg and your welcome.  Order it and build it, you won't regret it.  It would be hard to mess this kit up, It practically builds itself.  

Joe

Thanks, Joe. (and also for the encouragement)  I just might. I had envisioned one day getting one with all the Big Ed stuff available, I think I can see the wisdom of giving the kit a try as is.

I forgot to mention earlier, you surely made this look easy! And about a one month build. Yikes, I've been fiddling with my TBM since February, I think. :) Bit off a bit much to chew on my first build back, with all the PE and stuff.

Amazing build! Your work is top of the line! I really like the wooden plaque base idea, I may have to steal it. Is the model somehow attached to it or just set onto it?

Thanks Marmaduke.  The model is just sitting on there.  By all means, steal it.  Its a wooden plaque from a craft store and the terrain is real dirt and model railroad grass attached with Elmer's white glue.  

Joe

Hello there,

I am a new user, and first I want to say that I have been really impressed by the quality of your work.

This "office" is really incredible. If I may, I would like to ask you how you raise the detail of black parts, and in general how do you execute the washes.

I attach a pic just to clarify.

Thanks in advance,

Paolo

quote user="paolo1968"]

This "office" is really incredible. If I may, I would like to ask you how you raise the detail of black parts, and in general how do you execute the washes.

[/quote

Thanks Paolo.  Its a drybrush technique.  I paint the boxes Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black and then drybrush them with a gray enamel.  Any gray paint will do, but I use Model Masters.  I then lightly drybrush them with Floquil Old Silver to show some wear.  I think they stopped making Floquil so you may have to source it elsewhere or check Ebay.  The key is to go very lightly with a stubby flat brush.  Reference the wash, I use "The Detailer" on my cockpits, a mixture of the black and brown.  Its a waterbased wash that I have really taken a liking to.  I found it at my local hobby store, but it shouldn't be too hard to find.  Here's a tutorial on how I paint and weather my cockpits.....

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/156030.aspx

Hope this helps....good luck

Joe

Thank you very much for your answer and link, very kind of you

Paolo