Airfix Group Build 2011-2012

Jafa,

Officially, the wheel wells (and all interiors except the cockpit) were supposed to be painted aluminum dope over the base primer (I read somewhere that Supermarine's was a gray primer).  Once in the field, especially during 1939-1940 when aircraft undersides were frequently repainted to conform to new recognition directives, the wells typically got repainted the same as the underside color for convenience.  This applies to Spitfires only as Hurricane mechanics seem to have done better at keeping their wheel wells the correct color.

So for a Mk I Spitfire, "it depends" applies, but generally you can choose unless there is a photo that obviously shows the wheel wells.  The inside of the main landing gear doors remained aluminum dope, as did the main gear themselves.  Exceptions exist so if you have a photo then by all means follow that, otherwise you choose and dare someone to prove it otherwise.

Tim

Jafa

I am stalled on my MK1A Spit waiting to get some paint down, but can some expert advise what colour the wheel wells should be?

 

Cheers

Jafa

Jafa:

Spitfire wheel wells were often painted in the same color as the undersides of the wings and fuselage.  Alternatively, they might also be a silver-colored aluminum.

any new seafire builds?

Initial primer is done.  There's a few seams that need attention along the fuselage but the wing-fuselage joint is perfect.  I used the technique of gluing the upper wings to the fuselage before gluing the bottom wings; first time I'd tried that and I like the results.

I also noticed I'd no main landing gear for this kit.  I checked my spares box and there was a new Aeroclub white metal set -- I seem to remember I cannibalized this kit for a frankenspit I'd built a few years a go and the Aeroclub set was a replacement.

I found my Aeromaster sheet (72-028) with 8 Battle of Britain Spitfires.  I decided I'll do R6596, DW*O of 610 Squadron.  I've always wanted to do this subject because the fuselage markings are oversized, making it somewhat unique.

Tim

I am stalled on my MK1A Spit waiting to get some paint down, but can some expert advise what colour the wheel wells should be?

Cheers

Jafa

I've enough for a dozen or more Mk I's.  The Spit is my favorite and I've collected quite a few over the years, either aftermarket or spares from other kits.  I'll do a BoB machine, not sure which one yet.

Ya got some decals in the stash for that bad boy?

That Walrus is looking great!

I've actually gotten started on my Spitfire Mk I.  Very old kit, no longer have the package, decals or instructions, but it's so simple a build I don't need them.  26 parts by my count -- it actually looks like the mold had been modified into a snap together.  I nipped off the pins because alignment was poor, shot the insides with Tamiya Sky (XF21) and put some black on the instrument panel.  The seat is not quite right but since I build with the canopy closed it'll probably look okay through the very thick canopy.  So far the fuselage halves are together, the seat is on the floor and I'm ready to put the spinner on.  I hope to prime it tonight and start painting tomorrow.

I'm tempted to go "old school" and brush paint it!  Brings back great memories.

Tim

BTW,I thought all those stripes on the wings and tail were gonna be a PITA,but they lined right up like they are supposed to!Great job Airfix!

The decal are done and the dullcoat is drying as I type.

Will do.

Actually its the Hasegawa B-26G. Had a bit of money in the model budget so i splurged and got that and the 1-48 Tamiya F4U-1A which im going to do in RNZAF colours.

Scorpiomikey

ive got a B-26 on the bench

The Airfix one? It's a very nice kit for its time and will reward a patient builder. If I recall correctly, the tail guns may be a little on the long side. The fuselage is a little on the chubby side too, but it still looks good when built.

PS: Mikey, please put me down for the old Airfix Firefly Mk.V.

Typical airfix lol.

Thats good to see the walrus has been restored.

One this i cant stand is seeing an aircraft get destroyed because of neglect. Someone spent hours of hard work on that, and by neglecting it till its so badly damaged its almost a write off is like saying "I see your work and it means nothing to me" Its like the memory of the person who originally built it means nothing anymore. 

Oh well. My walrus is on the back burner at the moment, ive got a B-26 on the bench and my bearcat slowly taking shape next to it. Ill get there eventually.

Good work so far everyone. Im looking forward to seeing that walrus finished. Its a very basic kit. Did you have any issues with the canopy?

Glued on the wings and tail last night, loads of filling and sanding will be required I see!

Theuns

Scorpiomikey

Ill sort out the front page shortly.

Just found this photo while looking for walrus rigging.

This is really sad to see.

It is fortunate that this aircraft has been restored and is on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon...

This particular aircraft is ex-Royal Australian Navy - some more information is available here: http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austa/VH-ALB.html

From the under damage seems as some boat have performed a bad turn on it.

Recently finiding resources for the raf harrier gr3 i see actual photos mainly destroyed and abandoned ones with lots of parts dismembered.. really sad about this. When i was child these machines was perfectly operatives.

Ill sort out the front page shortly.

Just found this photo while looking for walrus rigging.

This is really sad to see.

Centhot

Thanks Scorpio!  In addition to the Camel and Widgeon, I'm going to do a from fresh Gnat, the original moulding (in the red plastic!) - yes, I know it's a hard build, and will need filler.  Was thinking about a Walrus, but all that rigging?  TD is a braver man than me!

Here's the current situation with the Camel Sopwith.

Underside:

Whole kit topside:

Here's the current situation with the Grumman Widgeon

Here's the other sides, sorry for being slightly burred

TD4438

A few more decals added.

Ahhhh the decals, really starts looking real when the decals start showing up. I'm getting a kick out of the tiny little footprints, "walk here only" indicators I assume?!

Thanks Scorpio!  In addition to the Camel and Widgeon, I'm going to do a from fresh Gnat, the original moulding (in the red plastic!) - yes, I know it's a hard build, and will need filler.  Was thinking about a Walrus, but all that rigging?  TD is a braver man than me!

Not a problem. Sorry i missed this post, ive been laid up in bed with a chest infection. 

Welcome to the forums.

A few more decals added.

Thanks Vance!

TD4438

 

bsyamato:

 

Sorry for the dumbness TD but not used too in english abbreviations.. what's PITA meaning?

decals looks perfectly on

Vance, more than battle damage was a too sureness damage i'm convinced that all clear parts in the kits was a steel piece as the amodel ka-18 clear parts. The result is more loke a dress restriction with wrong washmachine use

 

PITA=Pain In The A$$!.....a problematic build.

 

this is for sure and was my fault, the mess was caused by me ... and Vance really even paint in the dark side of the moon  

Best way is to build the canopy in two parts, the vertical windscreen separated from the upper.. boh something will pop up in my head before 2012

bsyamato

Sorry for the dumbness TD but not used too in english abbreviations.. what's PITA meaning?

...

PITA = Paint In The A$$

bsyamato

Sorry for the dumbness TD but not used too in english abbreviations.. what's PITA meaning?

decals looks perfectly on

Vance, more than battle damage was a too sureness damage i'm convinced that all clear parts in the kits was a steel piece as the amodel ka-18 clear parts. The result is more loke a dress restriction with wrong washmachine use

Sorry for the dumbness TD but not used too in english abbreviations.. what's PITA meaning?

decals looks perfectly on

Vance, more than battle damage was a too sureness damage i'm convinced that all clear parts in the kits was a steel piece as the amodel ka-18 clear parts. The result is more loke a dress restriction with wrong washmachine use

bsyamato

i'll try after to resolve the canopy little problem

Battle damage?!?!?!

Centhot! Welcome to the Forums!

Maybe it's just me bsyamato,but that kit looks to be a colossal PITA!

I'm looking forward to seeing it completed.

I'm just starting on the decals for the Walrus.So far,so good.