SPITFIRE GROUP BUILD 2007-2008

Daywalker wrote:

As for the lightening effects I used, I think it may be a bit late for them.  However, there are a couple of other ideas that might do the trick to get the look you are after.  The way I do it, I spray the base color first (we'll use brown for the example).  Then, I mix up a slightly lighter brown color and mist it where I want it.  Then, I mask the airframe and spray the next color (green).  Then, I make a lighter green and spray that where I want it.  Then I remove all of the masks.

I like that method myself. A good follow-up to try is after removing the masks, mist on some highly diluted white with a hint of gray in it to sort of blend and fade areas where the two camos colors overlap. Sort of ties it all together.

You do have to be very careful not to over-do it though! 

I usaully get the paint really thin, then spray it on at the absolute lowest pressure I can in random patterns. The rule of thumb is as soon as you can see it building up, move on!  

Pretty quiet 'round here...

Thought I'd post to kick this GB back to page 1 where it belongs!

wyoroy wrote:

Frank, pastel chalks?  Have only read about using it.  Are they the regular artist pastels?

Yes, if you mean the chalk-like ones- NOT the oily ones like the old Craypas crayons.

TANGO 1 wrote:

Frank, very nice work on the gun ports and those exhausts look fantastic!! Bloody good show old bean!

Thanks so much for the kind words Darren!  I really appreciate that.

Roy-

Those colors look spot on to me!  You obviously spent a lot of time masking your camo scheme, there is no apparent overspray or anything ANYWHERE!  I can honestly say that I couldn't have done any better myself. 

As for the lightening effects I used, I think it may be a bit late for them.  However, there are a couple of other ideas that might do the trick to get the look you are after.  The way I do it, I spray the base color first (we'll use brown for the example).  Then, I mix up a slightly lighter brown color and mist it where I want it.  Then, I mask the airframe and spray the next color (green).  Then, I make a lighter green and spray that where I want it.  Then I remove all of the masks. 

Have you ever used pastel chalks?  I think they would be just the ticket for lightening the fabric and general filth on the airframe.

Seriously Roy, very well done!  She is gonna be a stunner when she's finished.

Frank,

very nice work on the gun ports and those exhausts look fantastic!!

Bloody good show old bean!

Greg,

lovely work mate! You are well on the way to a masterpiece there.

Sprayed the dark green on and have removed the masking.  For some reason the green is real dark.  Without any delay here are some pics:

So Frank, is there enough pics for you  BTW what method did you use again to lighten the color a bit?  Will it work here of just leave it as is?

Greg- I can't wait to see that one finished!  Excellent paintwork on it.  The semi-soft edge between the colors looks just right to me.  Well done!

Roy- Can't wait to see how she turns out, pics PICS PICS!!!

Greg pointed out to me that most of the Mk.Is did not have the protruding gun muzzles on guns 3 & 4, so I removed those last night and opened up the holes in the wing.  Thanks for pointing it out Greg!

Today, I took the kit exhausts and slightly reshaped them, and modified the outlets to more closely resemble the real ones.  It's difficult to see in the photo, but the rearmost exhaust is round and the forward two are slightly pinched and rounded to the outside.  Here's how they look now:

THANKS !

This one is waiting for me to finally cut the decal and place it there ... maybe this Weekend

I got Tamiya Vb with exactly the same set of decals (their special edition with ICM figures)  

Greg-

Looking good buddy!  Is that the one where the "Duck" decal gave you some trouble?  If so, I think I can help you out.  PM inbound.

I have made a start on the Speed Spitfire, fuesalage is assembled and all the bits removed that where not there:

I have had a very kind offer from someone to send me the correct propellor, oil cooler etc. I was a bit lost over the prop so i am pleased now i have sorted that.

GZT,

That Spitfire looks fine to me. I look forward to seing it finished. 

do you have fun ?

Does it look good to you ?

This is most improtant :) - I am trying to be close to real one ... but without killing myself

 and in fact nobody knows if those were painted exactly as marked. 

Since this is my first Spitfire I have another question.  I have to masking done and ready to paint the last camouflage color, green.  I have tried to get the camouflage as close as possible yet it is not a 100% more like 85-90% match for the reference photos.  How important is it if my paint job is not an exact copy of the real deal?  Overall I feel that it will look great and catch the look and color scheme of the real aircraft.  I am in no way a purist (rivet counter) when it comes to these things.  I just want to be close.  I'll post some pictures when I remove the masking.

gzt wrote:

you can always recognize Tamiya Mk I with those sticking barrels - I have to get one more of those soon

Yep, think I might remove those protruding gun barrels.

Roy-

Yep, it's the Tamiya kit.  You're gonna love yours!

Greg,

Thank you so much for the reference photos, excellent doesn't even begin to describe them.  I owe you one my friend!

I have now recieved an offer of the other half of the oil cooler for the Seafire IIc so i will be able to complete that model. The LFXIVe and XVIII are painted and awaiting decals which i was going to do ages ago but i have been distracted. I will post some photos when done.

My Speed Spitfire is also on the bench, the interior has been painted and i have recieved an offer of all the parts i need to complete her apart from the canopy which i will be ordering. 

Franks, looks good so far, that's the Tamiya kit?  I cna not waite to finish the Revell Spitfire.  Overall not too bad.  Yet down the road it will be fun to build the Tamiya with little to no seam repairs

Right now I'm masking to paint the green.

Greg-

Not exactly sure what the fire catchers are, but it sounds like I need to remove them.  Which parts are they?  And thanks for checking your references, much appreciated!

Frank,

Antoni once mentioned to me that only some very early Mk I had the fire catchers present. Tamiya added those but in fact most a/c did not have them.

I will look into my books after brake lines 

I did some work on my Spitfire tonight, here's how she looks right now:

The airframe is complete, and all of the panel lines restored.  I still have to go and do a final check of the seams to make sure I haven't missed any, and mask off the cockpit.  I also need to decide how best to fix the exhaust manifolds, as thier openings are close but not quite the right shape.  I'm thinking about cutting them into the three pieces, and then refining each one then re-attaching them.  I also am still trying to find a decent photo of the brake lines on a SPitfire so I can add those as well.  If anyone has one in their references, I'd sure like to see it!

Yes Roy, I remember!

Today, we got about 4-6 inches then the winds started howling and the temp plummeted.  Tonight, they're saying 20 below zero wind chills, with continued cold through the weekend.  BRRR!!!