This is the old
Airfix 1/24 scale mk1 Spitfire, it has always been a great favorite of mine after
seeing it on the local model shop shelves in the 60,s and 70s (at a
price my pocket money could not reach). I picked this kit up cheap from the
small ads of my local paper here in Plymouth in the UK, this is the first
time I have built it.
The cockpit is largely scratchbuilt with only the seat and
instrument panel original, I used plenty of reference pictures to help me with
this. Luckily the internet has a lot of information on the Spitfire.
I used
plasticard and stretched sprue also fuse wire, the worst part was getting a
curved floor in, I made a good job of it only to realise later that it would not
fit once the wings were attached and had to undo some of the work, but
nothing could be seen anyway. The cockpit stenciling and placards are done
with gel pens, I made the seat belts from thin plastic saved from the bin at
work (a great source of bits for modelling) I boxed in the wheel bays these
were also detailed with plastic strip. All the panels are closed up I wanted to
capture the sleek lines of the Spitfire, also to save some time. I had
previously built the 1/24 scale FW 190 and Stuka with panels open it took a
while to do because in this scale I think you have to add a lot of detail
to stop the kit looking toy like and my model build speed seems to be
slowing down enough lately.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The fit of the panels is ok for a kit of
this age very little filler was used during the build. I have to admit that
model assembly is probably my weakest point, I tend to forge ahead and make silly
mistakes which I have to put right and I lose interest in the project for a few
months. The kit is painted with Humbrol enamels using post and preshading
techniques. Weathering was done with pastel chalks, and a 1st time for me, oil
washes which I applied sparingly. I am still not sure about this
technique, I
admire those who use it to obtain some great finishes. I blasted some oil
wash along the direction of air flow with my air brush concentrating on the
underside around the engine this area always looks dirty in pictures of the
Spitfire.
Once everything was
sealed under a coat of matt varnish, I added paint chips with a silver pencil,
and
the gun debris cover from red painted masking tape. I am glad that I have finally
built this kit not just for the nostalgic trip but also that I was able to do it
the justice of 30 years modelling experience, now where did I put the that Hurricane?.
Warren
Osborne
Click on
images below to see larger images
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