AIRFIX SPITFIRE 4
Decals on, almost there...
After adding the green camouflage elements (having masked the brown areas with Blu-Tack!), it took quite a few coats of gloss varnish to gain a suitable sheen for the transfers to sit on. I've used Airfix's own decals, which are fine, but there's a lack of any smaller markings like stencilled instructions and walkway lines on the wings, but in this small scale it's not such a big deal. Also, being an early period Spitfire Mk1, there are no RAF roundels for the underside of the wings.
It has taken a bit of work with Micro Sol solution to get the decals to sit into the various recesses between the panels, as the decal film is quite thick. However, perseverance has paid off and it's all looking good so far. A few more coats of gloss varnish has sealed the transfers and given them a more realistic 'painted on' appearance - this is important as an immediate coat of satin or matt atop these transfers would have made the clear film more visible. I'm leaving the high gloss finish for now, as it'll help in the weathering stage...
Hello Mr Dent. The 'Spit' is looking good, just shows what you can do with a good kit. However, I'm not an expert and I stand to be corrected, but I think you have put on the fuselage markings too far forward. The fuselage RAF roundel on all the 2/- kits I built as a kid, and the Luftwaffe German cross on the ME109 and Stuka etc were all central between the cockpit and the tailplane with the remaining lettering taking up the rest of the space.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, John Simmonds, Horley, Surrey.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteThe markings do look odd, don't they. But, they follow the plans supplied with the kit (and the box cover artwork) so I'm assuming that Airfix have done their research! As I mentioned, this is an early Battle of Britain prototype so I'm guessing that the real thing is wearing makeshift or experimental markings. Indeed, on the other side of the fuselage, the white letters actually deliberately obscure the smaller black serial number - evidence that the brandings were applied in haste!
All the best,
George.
Thank you George for your reply. I'm actually a train nut first and foremost but have a strong interest in vintage aircraft and transport, so like your good self, I bow to the quality of and put my trust in the researchers at Airfix. I look forward seeing the finished Spitfire. ME109 next?
DeleteBest regards, John.
ME109 next? Well, funny you should say that...!
DeleteHi George,
ReplyDeleteI Googled "Spitfire DW-K images " , the kit markings look pretty close to that particular aircraft, though I agree that compared to later Spitfire the markings do look odd.
Nick
Hello again George. I found this link http://www.scalemodels-bg.com/nhdetail/?language=en and if you look in the catalog(their spelling) listing under '1/72 Aviation', product ref A72-004, it might be a good product to park your completed Spitfire on as part of a 'dispersal' diorama. All the best, John Simmonds.
DeleteHi Nick,
DeleteThanks for the tip-off. I'll have a look.
All the best,
George.