Derek Beningfield
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
Building Tamiya’s 1/32 scale Spitfire Mk.VIII from the box, Derek affixed roundels and fin flash decals from Victory Productions. He airbrushed the fighter with Citadel acrylics and darkened the panel lines with Citadel black wash. The weathering is a mix of Tamiya pastels “and even artist’s pencil crayons,” he says. “Just make sure they’re sharp.” He marked the plane for Canadian ace Bert Houle, commander of 417 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Derek says, “In all likelihood, JF 457 probably had extended wingtips and the earlier rounded rudder, but I wanted to go for the classic Mk.VIII look with standard wingtips and a pointed rudder.” He hastens to note that the present display base is only temporary; he plans to make a permanent base for the model.