1/24 Airfix Spitfire Mk 1

by Warren Osborne

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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.  

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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

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Photos and text © by Warren Osborne