Subject: Re: 1/72 Supermarine Spitfire article
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "David.Wye" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 13:09:14 -0700

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David.Wye 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 12:48 PM
  Subject: 1/72 Supermarine Spitfire article 

  Gallery Template #06

  "Revell Supermarine Spitfire   Mk V" 

  by "Alistair Wye"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  Hello this is my first article on ARC although i reguarly read and use this site's articles.  Being 15 i think that i have done a good job on this kit.  my last spitfire that i made being when i was 8 years old! This model kit was a fairly good kit with nice recessed panel lines and average cockpit detail for 1/72 scale.  The fit was superb with the wing sections and attaching the wings to the fuselage.  However the cockpit produced problems when constructing the fuselage.  The propellar and undercarriage were also a great fit and the undercariage has good overall detail.

        Click on images below to see larger images
       
        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 

  Right from the start of the project i decided on having a fully open cockpit, which woudl include the open side door.  The kit provided two cokpit canopies which i believ to have been a mistake on Revell's part.  cutting the canopy into its 3 separate pieces was diffiult and somewhat crude but using wet&dry paper to sand the rough egdes.  the side door was cut out using the sam scapel blade/craft knife, the door already had sufficient detail so i jkept this for the kit.  I detailed the cockpit with plastic card 10 thou strips for the floor i used reference photos and books for my refrence.  i also added the gear box and throttle and undercarrige levers as wel as wire and masking tape seatbelts.  On the back of the seat i cut aslit for the belts to loop through also. i also used fine wire casing for the tubing.  

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  For this kit i used Tamiya acrylics XF-5 Flat Green and XF-18 Medium blue with 1 drop ofFlat white for the camoflage.  XF-25 Light sea grey which was mixed with two drops of XF-2 White was sprayed on for the underside of the plane.  before painting the camoflage and underside i preshaded trhe whoel aircraft once the fuselage and wings were assembled together, by first priming it in XF-2 Flat white and then shading the panels lines with XF1-Flat Black.  Next i sprayed the camoflage on thinned slightly more so than usual to let the preshdaing so through.  this emphasises the panel lines on the plane.  to further emphasise the panel lines i used a retractable pencil to draw the panel lines on.  I also used chalks to simulate dirt and stains on the engine exhuasts and gun holes. The decals were good and provided a true repsentation of the actual aircraft "City of Winepeg" although the RAF Insignia on the topside of the plane cracked as did the tale insignia.  

  Overall this kit was great fun and i woudl recomend it to anyone attempting a 1/72 scale Supermarine Spitifire.  there is little flaws with the kit and it also gives you the choice of the earlier rounded wing tips or the later flatened wing tips.  The tale rudder also is placeable as well.

        Click on images below to see larger images
       
        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  Photos and text © 2003 by "your name goes here"