AIRCRAFT - Battle of Britain Group Build (Jan 1st 2005 - May 31st 2005)

Looks great js. hope it doesn't shoot down my He 111 when I'm done!

And the pictures look just fine. A lot better than some I've seen.

nice looking spit!

Nicely done Jules!

Like the decals, they look part of the plane, done well.

All it needs now is a nice sharks mouth on the front, shouldn't be too hard eh!()

looking good Jules! those ARE some good looking decals... nice and modled to the surface...

sorry haven't posted much, this week has been crazy... for some reason the servers have developed a bit of an attitude lately and decided to ditch their hard drives frequently... almost every day this week /I have been having to rebuild a server and spool the data back across to it... and you can imagine all the wonderful, happy people calling me in the meantime...

I've decided to wait closer in to Jan to start my build. I just got a 1/32 P-36 Peashooter and I love that little plane so might build that in between... Almost finished with my SBD for the Naval Aviation GB so might take a short breather and tackle the peashooter.

Anyway, can't wait to start on this one though, I need to order those AM decals soon so I can get that Martlet going! Might do a He111 or a Ju88 if I have time afterwards...

ok I just ran into a bit of a dillema... I know the martlet was in-theater for the BoB. But since its tactical role didn't start until mid to October of 1940, I don't know if this would qualify it as actually 'participating' in the BoB as I can't find any reference to flights other than observation/CAP for the ships at Scapa and such. I might just step up the Ju88 while I do some more research unless somone has some info to help me out.

Thanks!

Nice Spit, JS. Thumbs up all the way!

The way I see it, I'll only have to do four things to backdate my Hurricane for the BoB-

-Crack off those cannons. (I need guns for my other project, anyway. Need to arm the little Me 328)
-Get rid of the breech bulges on the wings.
-Do some minor rescribing on the wings around the guns.
-Drill eight little holes for the new "guns" (I won't actually put anything in them. It's only 1/72.)

If I wanted to get finicky I'd have to shorten the fuselage around the engine to get a true Mk. I, but that would entail major structural alteration, and with the Ju 290Z taking up enough of my time, I'm not going to worry about it. Besides, some Mk. I s were fitted with the larger engine anyway, (I think) so I'm not too worried.

Mike, being 1/72, I don't think there is alot of point going too far with the backdating thing.
None of us here on this build are the pretentious uppy types that criticise others work because of accuracy.
Besides, even in 1/48 scale I refuse too alter anything other than the obvious gun or panel line, unless it is something I feel I have to do.

Sometimes, close enough IS good enough.

Ditto tweety, as long as it retains the lines and the basic armament config and doesn't go TOO far over (trying to pass off a Spit Mk XX as a Mk1) I'm fine with it.. I don't expect someone to come over to my house and tell me my models are all wrong, I did them for me and if they look right.. to me they're right!

Personally, I'd love for someone to come over and tell me my models aren't accurate.
I have some anger issues, and that would be the perfect counselling outlet

Actually, my younger brother did that once........................once!!!!

This is from a guy that painted a 57 Chev in Saturn Yellow, cause it looked cool!!

Ok, so he was 8 at the time, thats not the point.................................

QUOTE: Originally posted by tweety1 Personally, I'd love for someone to come over and tell me my models aren't accurate. I have some anger issues, and that would be the perfect counselling outlet

haha that's about what I was thining when I wrote that, but was being all civil like...

Don't get me wrong, no violent act would occur, but there would be some very naughty words uttered with extremely stern under tones, along the lines of 'You know where I plan to put this...........'

It only ever happened twice so far, once from my brother, and once when I had my BV 141 displayed at a show, where some guy, who had nominated himself as the knowledge bank for German A/C, started giving my 141 some heavy criticism.

Unfortunately for him, I was in earshot, and it went from there.

By all means point things out, but there is no need to get ugly, or to criticise to a point where it just becomes rude.

BTW, that 141 took 1st place in the 1/48 A/C section!!!!

Point proven me tinks

QUOTE: Originally posted by tweety1 Mike, being 1/72, I don't think there is alot of point going too far with the backdating thing. None of us here on this build are the pretentious uppy types that criticise others work because of accuracy. Besides, even in 1/48 scale I refuse too alter anything other than the obvious gun or panel line, unless it is something I feel I have to do. Sometimes, close enough IS good enough.

Tweety

could not agree with you more on that point! One thing I hate are rivet counters and accu-nazis.

IOn that note, I rankle at the insistance of some modellers using black to accent panel lines where a lighter far less starker colour would have been appropriate!

Mike, cut the 20mm cannons off and make it a MkIIA, dk Green/dark earth over sky and you would have a winner! For decals, just use a mk1 sheet and no one would be the wiser IMHO

cheers

Mike

It is like some model clubs (hmmm...dare I say it....Perth IPMS) that demand accurate paint shade depication for WW2 models. Like, hello?? Do you have a RLM paint chip to prove your point that Aeromaster acrylic is the WRONG shade???

Come back to the real world and realise that no shade will be exactly right!! That extends to accuracy of model kits and apnel lines as well. I respect that some modelers like to rescribe raised panel line kits but my question is why? Go have a look at a plane and the only recessed panel lines are around hatches, control surface interfaces and suchlike. Construction joints are overlapped which a raised panel line gives a great approximation of. Finally Can you see panel lines in 1:48/1:72?

Do not think so!

cheers

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison Hey fellas i've just finished my Spit1 i built for the Oldguns GB...... The pics are a little fuzzy but hey i'm a modeller not a photographer

Beautiful work as usual Jules . However you don't get away that easily.
Can you give us a bit of a rundown on the painting and weathering techniques you've used. I particularly like the paint chips and exhaust stains.

Oh yeah, thanks for the advice on that other issue.

Cheers
Darren

Thanks for the kind words fellasThats 2 spits in a row and i can tell you that i'm really really looking forward to those splinter pattern scheme's......Ahhh nice straight linesexcept for the mottle on Molders 109

Darson i did this one pretty much the same as the last one, i preshaded black around the panel lines before giving it an overall coat of brown, then went on half the masks and i represhaded before the green went on, i only paint half the green on at once cause it just seems to be easier ( for me) to do it like that......
Ater the camo was done i coated it in gloss then stuck the decals on followed by some more gloss.....i used a wash from a Derwent water colour pencil next, i just crush the pigment add water and go, i have to admit i use black for my washes ( Sorry Mike ) but i do have a tendency to mist a coat of colour over the top to tone it down a little...
Paint chips are Gunze acrylic silver applied with a very fine paint brush as soon as the decals are on, they stand out like dogs b---s at first but when a couple of coats of flat clear go on they tone down nicely....
Exaust and gun stains are soft patels put on with a fine microbrush i normally use brown and black......
geez i just read through it and it sounds jolly simple so i wonder why i takes so long to do.........I know 12 sessions with the A/B thats why.......
Jules.....

Nice explanation Jules.
Ok, so I tried the pre shade technique, like you described it, on my 109.
And, well, I sk!

Had to go with the post shade.
Ah well, stick to what ya know me tinks.

Yeah thats what i reckon Sean, Stick with what you know until you get it just right, work on perfecting the tecniques that work best for you but try different things, i experimented with the salt paint chipping method on a couple of models but i couldn't seem to get it right so i went back to my normal method.......
one thing i noticed is that my overhandling of the model during decaling and weathering is leaving fingerprints so i'm going to have to get some of those white cotton gloves to use, and i definatly have to get a booth, Dustis becoming more than just an annoyance now
Jules.....

Ah dust, you can get away with it on a heavily weathered model, but on an Alclad model for instance, it spells doom.

Good thing is, in photo's you cant see the fingerprints or dust!

As for gloves, I thought about using the cotton ones, but went for latex surgical gloves, the Ansell ones for like $10 for 150.
Just have to remember to wash them before handling your model to remove the fine white powder thats on the outside.
A quick rinse under the tap sorts this out.

If it's a humid day, there is a good chance cotton fibres will stick to your model.

Jules - I find that dust becomes a real issue when using pastels to whether, if I'm not careful I end up with unwanted pastel dust everywhere. You can pick up those whit cotton gloves in any Coles or Safeway for couple of bucks.
Also, what brand of paint did you use on the Spit?

Tom - My information is pretty much the same as yours, the FAA Martlets didn't see actual combat until the battle of Norway. The FAA squadrons that flew combat missions during the BoB flew Sea Gladiators. One of them, 804 squadron from memory was equipped with Martlets late in the battle. As to whether you want to build it or not, your call.

Cheers
Darren

Darson i broke with the norm on this one and used the recommended mix ratio for Tamiya acrylics except for the underside which is done in Gunze.....
I painted the brown on first with Gunze but i didn't like the colour so i redit it with the Tamiya mix........
Cheers Jules......

BoB GB is on page 2 so i'm gonna have to do something Tweets taught me.......

BUMP

On the first night of Channukah, my true love gave to me.......The Battle of Brittain on DVD! Guess what I'm doing after everyone's a sleep tonight!

The movie isn't that good, but the vintage aircraft in the flick are priceless. I play the DVD whenever I get in the mood for building an early Spit or Hurricane.

Regards, Rick

23 days to go!!!

"BUMP"

BoB is not a good movie?

Sorry, my opinion differs considerably, it is a great movie, the CASA built Buchons and He111 + the Spitfires and Hurricanes make it even more so.

Aurora-7, excellent gift. Is it the Spec edition?

cheers

Mike

well, it's an academy award winner compared to U-571!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison BoB GB is on page 2 so i'm gonna have to do something Tweets taught me....... BUMP

damn, knew I shoulda put a copyright on that

Is it too late for a newbie to join in the mix??? I have both an He-111 and a J8-88 in stock, but on viewing the decals that come with them ... they are both later models .

I have also had a hankering to do a Hurricane, so that may be in the wind. But my first hunt will be for after-market decals for an NZ pilot in an RAF squadron - being an expat Kiwi in Aus. Perhaps Alan Deere??? So put me down for a Spit at this stage (if accepted of course!!), and I will keep advised

Paul

QUOTE: Originally posted by tweety1 QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison BoB GB is on page 2 so i'm gonna have to do something Tweets taught me....... BUMP damn, knew I shoulda put a copyright on that

yeah mate youd be rolling in it now

Cossack it's not to late at all mate, we're not starting our builds until the 1st of JAN
this is just the pre build chat.....
If your interested just pick a build and Darson will make it official
BTW iv'e already said hello in aussie modellers but to the BoB GB.....
Cheers Jules.......

Ello cossack, to the forums and the BoB GB!!!