SPITFIRE GROUP BUILD 2007-2008

Dave,

Nice looking planes!  I really like your Mk.VII, one of the marks I always liked but don't have one in my collection.

Nice work on both, Dave!

Well, this thread has taught me one thing already, and that is how popular the Spit is as a modeling subject. So I pose a question....what do those who have embraced this aircraft as a favorite find so appealing about it? I've often wondered why modelers gravitate towards particular subjects, and the Spit seems to have quite a following.

Yes I am in.

1/72 Scale Mk. IX -- Egyptian Air Force.

ruddratt wrote:

Nice work on both, Dave! Well, this thread has taught me one thing already, and that is how popular the Spit is as a modeling subject. So I pose a question....what do those who have embraced this aircraft as a favorite find so appealing about it? I've often wondered why modelers gravitate towards particular subjects, and the Spit seems to have quite a following.

I would say the Battle of Britain.  To quote Winston Churchill, "Never has so few given so much for so many" (I hope I got it right).  The Spitfire and Hurricane was all that stood between Britain and Germany.  Plus the Spitfire has nice clean line. 

Roy

Darren,

Nice work on the Mk.II Beautifully built and painted. Its a shame about the some of the decals silvering, but it is still a beautiful model.

John,

Thanks for the markings info. Very handy to have.

Dave,

Lovely builds! I like the paint scheme on the ICM kit-Nice! 

ruddratt wrote:

Nice work on both, Dave! Well, this thread has taught me one thing already, and that is how popular the Spit is as a modeling subject. So I pose a question....what do those who have embraced this aircraft as a favorite find so appealing about it? I've often wondered why modelers gravitate towards particular subjects, and the Spit seems to have quite a following.

Mike, 

to answer your question........well, to an Englishman the Spitfire is like an icon, it is seen as a symbol of the British fighting spirit. It's an incredible machine-its manufacturing methods were the cutting edge at the time of its conception and if you ask any pilot who has ever flown a Spitfire they will tell you it was a pure delight to fly. Many say that they did not strap themselves into the Spitfire....rather they strapped it onto their backs and they and the Spitfire were one.

One gentleman once told me......"as you thought about putting the aircraft into a turn, you found the aircraft turning with you..." 

It was the first fighter in Europe, along with the Hurricane that stopped the Luftwaffe in in tracks in 1940. Rather than engage a Spitfire, many German pilots would turn and dive out of range. The Spitfire had a better rate of turn than the 109's which gave the Luftwaffe one heck of a headache.......

Then there was the brave men that flew them. The "Few" are ledgends and held in the highest regard. If you ever get the chance, read First Light by Geoffery Wellum. An incredible account of being a young man defending England's skies in 1940.

It should also be pointed out that many, many men from other nations joined the RAF and flew Spitfires into Battle. Canadians, Americans, Austrailians, Poles and Chezchs to mention a few.

Lastly, it is a thing of beauty. It is the most beautiful aircraft I have ever seen. I have an emotional connection to it.

To be in England and look up into the sky and see a Spitfire's graceful lines...to hear the unmistakable roar of a Merlin engine......its poetry in motion. It brings a lump to my throat and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It makes me and those like me very, very proud.

These are just a few reason's why I like the Spitfire so much. 

Well put.

Roy

Thanks, Darren. I've always had an inquisitive mind......just knowing what and not why has never been enough for me, and I appreciate you taking the time to pen such a well thought-out response to my curiosity. I can see that this bird has a very special place in your heart, as it probably does in the hearts of many, and now I know why.

...and thank you too, Roy, for your response as well.

This is going to be a great GB, because I feel that there is a lot of passion behind it, not only for the hobby itself, but because of something much deeper....something that will take it to another level entirely. Your responses have shown me that, and I can't wait to get started.

Darren,

Well said.  I wanted to say something about it, but fear it would only echo what you have stated.

I must say that the Hurricane, in it's rugged and purposeful looks, also holds a special place in my heart.  I am not quite sure how to put it into words, but it could be the fact that it became the underdog which helped save the day in the shadows of it's graceful brethren.  They shared the same heart and soul but after The Battle were never quite viewed in the same light.

Don't get me wrong, I love the graceful lines and the aura of the Spit as much as the next guy.  I guess no matter how much I admire it I will always feel a soft spot for the Hurricane too as it also was there to serve The Few as well as The Many.

Well said Frank.

As a matter of historical fact the Hurricanes shot down more of the enemy than the Spitfires. They are the unsung hero's of the battle, but they are certainly not forgotten. I hold the the Hurricane in very high regard and your words certainly capture how many people feel about the Hurricane, myself included.

Well put TANGO 1.

I've always loved the Spitfire from both a historical standpoint, and for it's looks. And though I'm not from the UK, I really have an affinity for Airfix Spitfires, as it just seems "right"- a plane that is so significant to British history, being produced by a British company. They may not be the best kits available, but that's OK with me.

It's sounds goofy, but I can watch a video of a Spitfire, and just the sound of that engine gives me a lump in my throat. 

Heck- I've got a 1/72 S6B..... maybe I'll build it to. It's not a Spitfire, but it certainly is part of Spitfire history. 

Speaking of Airfix and Spitfires.....

Airfix's new website has a Spitfire.... a photo of MH 434..... in it's design. Cool! I can't wait to get hold of their 70th Anniversary 1/48 boxing.... I have the 72nd scale set. 

Jon,

I knew you would feel the same way I do.  I have to admit, I am not a big fan of  the Airfix Spitfire kits although my wife has treated me to a 1/24 Mk.Vb and I have to say for an older kit, it looks quite impressive.

TANGO 1 wrote:

Jon, I knew you would feel the same way I do.  I have to admit, I am not a big fan of  the Airfix Spitfire kits although my wife has treated me to a 1/24 Mk.Vb and I have to say for an older kit, it looks quite impressive.

The Airfix kits aren't the best, that's for sure.

I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess, but for some reason Airfix and Monogram and those kits that aren't quite the engineering marvels others are draw my attention for some reason. I'm a sucker for the underdog! LOL (Must be why I like Aztek so much..... )

I need to get my hand on those 1/24th Airfix Spits! 

I know it's not a Spitfire but I have a MPC 1/24 Fw190 that's an Airfix kit.  If you look inside the fuselage it has Airfix stamped on it.  Just wanted to share it with you guys.

Roy 

Gentlemen........

as it is the first weekend of the Spitfire group build I wanted to celebrate the occasion with a drink. This tradition first started on the FAA group build and as many of the FAA gang are already here  I thought we would continue it here.

So sit back, and have a nice glass of beer on me.

What beer do we drink around here?

Why we drink Spitfire beer of course!

CHEERS!

Darren-

Woohoo! 

Never seen that ad before, or even of the beer!  I'll have to look for it over here in the colonies.

I don't have any Spitfire beer, but I do have some English Bitters that I brewed last year.  Will that work?  After all it is an English beer.

Roy

TANGO 1 wrote:

Wow! Roy-I have'nt seen one of those kits in years! Do you plan to build it anytime soon?

I have plans to build it when my skills are better than they are at this point.  I checked the Airfix site and they offer this 190 but in different color scheme and markings.

Roy

Roy,

you drink whatever you like my friend! I thought the Spitfire beer would be a nice touch to our weekend traditional toast. You have whatever floats your boat!

As for the '190 kit, I have not seen one of those for ages! I know that they are still availiable but you would be hard pressed to find one in my LHS or at a show in my part of the world. I also want to wait until I am a little better before I tackle my 1/24 Spitfire.  

Daywalker wrote:

Darren- Woohoo!  Never seen that ad before, or even of the beer!  I'll have to look for it over here in the colonies.

Frank,

if I ever make it to your side of the pond I'll bring a case of the stuff with me, I just know you'd want more than one!

TryintoModel wrote:

I think I would like to join in on this one if I could.  I have two kits, both of which I believe are going to be booger bears.  I've always wanted to tackle my Hobby Craft 1/24 Spitfire Mk. Vb "Pin-up".  If I get scared out of that one (so many people talk about all the inaccuracies), then I have a Hasegawa 1/32 Spitfire Mk. Vb.  Unfortunately, the Hasegawa has raised panel lines.  But, I've yet to build a Spit, and this would be a good opportunity either way.

Dave,

Glad to have you on board!

"Hey there are SIXTEEN of us already! With a few more "maybe's" on stadby too!

This is getting us off to a cracking strart! Thanks to all of you for throwing your hat in the ring.

I salute you in the traditional manner.....

Dave,

to the forum.  You WILL have fun with this group, I do

Roy

Dave!  I know you'll have fun here with all of these characters!

Darren- Thanks Mate!