SPITFIRE GROUP BUILD 2007-2008

gzt, Looks awesome! Now put some flat black in that engine intake

Thanks Gentlemen!

Here is a better view of the landing gear. I drilled few holes and added locking bar and brake line. The rest is hasegawa. a very nicely done landing gear indeed by Hasegawa

Greg,

beautifully built and painted! I have to say I like your choice of markings too! Superb work my friend!

Here is the latest

few more details but I may not finshe them until next Weekend 

Thank you Greg, that means a lot to me!

Good info on those brake lines, amazing isn't it how difficult it can be to find a detailed photo of that on such a famous aircraft?  I am going to look through some of my SPitfire references to see if I can find a photo of one.

Yup, thats right Frank. I hope you will rebuild this one and it will be a first prize !!!!

In the meantime I resolved the issue with a "locking rod" and "brake lines" on Spitfire landing gear. The most commonly shown docuemntation may not be correct. I found one book calling the "locking rod" a brake line. .

THe brake line was located on the rear side of strut on the edge of wheel cover coming to a flexible hose loop (partial) (black). The locking rod was streight or going down with some siral way. I saw both ways.

Thank you Greg, I appreciate the kind words.  The only way we learn and get better is to really push ourselves, right?  Sometimes things just don't quite go as planned.

On your SPitfire brake line question, I do not have any good photos or references for this, and do not know much so I will wait for the experts to answer.  I can't wait to see a good photo of the LG too!

A question to Spitfire experts:

 After my literature digging I came to the conclusion that brake lines were located on the inside, back edge of the landing gear cover however there was also a "line" going on the front of the landing gear - a locking rod.

Is it correct ? 

I am sorry !!! Maybe this kit is screaming for Polish markings Always find a good side of a disaster like that .

I never had any problem with masking using tamiya tape and that masking reusable putty. Always worke d fine for me, even if I kept it for more than few days. One thing though, I always wait at least three days prior to masking enamel paints.

I decided to safe this one even tha paint if not perfect. With a close up view it shows, but even from a foot away its hard to be seen. So, let it be  

 The horizontal stabilizer will be done tonight. I painted just two colors and put on a kit for the picutre not glued yet.

I still have to resolve the brake lines on the U/C 

Nice work Greg!  Were you able to fix the damamged paint and continue?  She looks very nice from here.

One question on the tailplanes.  Are they not supposed to have any of the dark earth camo on them, or have you just not yet finished painting them?  Just curious, and thought I would ask.

Bad news for my Mk.Ia.  I went to remove the masking from the lower survaces this afternoon, and was horrified by what I had found.  I used my handy-dandy home-made curing oven to help cure the paint between successive layers, and apparently you cannot put a model in there with any kind of masking on it.  The curing temps (which I use on other models with excellent results) appears to have softened up the adhesive on the tape and softened the paint itself and fused them together.  The bottom on the plane has an awful smeared look to it, and will have to be completely stripped down and redone.  Perhaps this is common knowledge, but it never occured to me!  But on the bright side, I get more practice painting!  For those who don't know me, I have stripped and redone several aircraft in the last couple of years, so I am getting pretty good at it.  The last one (my Zero) turned out even better the second time around so I guess it was worth it (in a sick sort of way!).  I am going to put her aside for a bit, and pick it up again in a month or two.  I'll post WIP pics of the restoration then.

latest from African front ....

1943 March ... Polish Fighting Team is finishing their duties with 145 RAF Squadron flying Mk IXcs

current status

just to bump

Thanks Katie!  I was beginning to think it would be the end of me too.   And yes, it did win a first place!   I am really looking forward to some pics of your Spitfire.  Do you know what markings you are putting on it yet?

Darren- Thank you very much!  I am glad it has helped inspire you, and I hope to see your pics soon! Judging from your previous work, I know it will be a stunner!

Wow this is some inspiring work guys.

Frank I'm loving the photo tutorial on your Spit, your work is excellent and very entertaining please keep the pics coming

Greg that's a major bummer with the paint on your Mk.IX it was looking fantastic.  Is there any way you can just sand back those areas of paint that are effected or will you have to start from scratch?

Like I said I have been inspired by the great builds you guys are doing so after two months away from the bench I pulled out some bits and pieces from the stash and started on Tamiya Mk.VB with Cutting Edge resin pit.  So far over the weekend I've managed to get most of the cockpit assembled and glued into place.  I'll post some pics when the front office gets some paint on it.

Cheers

I remember that Zero!  I thought that it would be the end of you, but the second time around it did look better and if I remember correctly you won a 1st place with that bird.

Sorry to hear about the paint on your Spit Greg.  Hope you can fix it without redoing the entire paint job, but if you can't I know that the new paint job will be better than any you have ever done.  If you need advice on how to strip the old paint I know a guy that has done it alot!  I am sure Frank will help you out.

Hope to work on the Spit tomorrow and post pics.

Katie 

Greg-

Oh, man!  That is awful!  Is there any way to touch up the paint in the bad spots?  Stripping it down is a last resort, but I went through that a couple times last year.  The Zero I built was getting it's final clearcoat when disaster struck- incompatibility between the clears ruined it.  So, I stripped it down and started over.  Turned out better the second time around so I was happy in the end.  Hope that helps, and hang in there my friend- it will work out in the end.

OOPS!  Hope it's OK that I posted Zero pics here.

Thanks. I used MM Glossy lacquer from a spray can.

There is a problem I used a decal solution made by AGAMA (Czeck company) and this fluid ate paint while in contact with it. I am so dissapointed now thinking of a next step. It may end up with repainting the whole model

I will try this trick next time

Here is my progres on Mk IXc from Africa

decaling ....

Thanks Greg!

I kept the lower cowling separate as the aircraft I am modeling used the line between it and the fuselage side as the line between the upper and lower camo colors.  I did spend quite a bit of time fitting it prior to painting, so (hopefully!) it will go on well at the end.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

nice paint job Frank !

Tell me what is the reason to keep separate the bottom side of engine cawling ??

I spent days fitting that thing, puttying and sanding and ... and again and again. What is the trick with it ???

Feels good to be making progress this long weekend!  This morning, I masked off the green parts of the fabric surfaces and gave them a shot of lighter green.  This is how I do it:

I cut post-it notes to size and GENTLY push their edges under the handi-tak to help hold them.  A couple quick sprays and done!  Then, used the same mix of lightened green to randomly spray some spots in the centers of panels.  Key is to keep it random, and gentle.  Stop JUST BEFORE it looks "right" in your eyes- works a treat!  Removed the masking moments ago and here is she is:

A tiny bit of "ghosting" between the camo colors, but nothing the weathering can't fix.

Thanks Greg!  I used Gunze paints, and a Badger 100LG AB.  I love Gunze paint, and try to use it for most paint work.  As word got out that Gunze was going to be difficult if not impossible to get in the US anymore, I bought up as much of it as I could find.  Should keep me in stock for a few years! 

One more pic before I head off to bed.  Painted the Dark Green today, and just finished adding some darker green in select areas.  Very diluted, sprayed around panel lines and such to add a little dimension.  After a couple of days, I can lighten up the fabric areas and such, then off with the masking to see the paint! 

Thanks fellas, much appreciated!

Greg- sorry to hear about those blasted guns, but glad your new parts arrived just in the nick of time.

looking forward to see this one !

In the meantime I broke off the second gun from my IXc - but the replacements showed up already  

Looking good so far, Frank! Looking forward to seeing it painted!

Cheers,

Azgaron