forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: KiwiZac on July 06, 2023, 05:01:34 PM
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Hi all,
A few weeks ago new model company Kotare Models sent me a copy of their first kit, a Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia, for review (available to read here (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13853.0) on the forum). As soon as the review went online I started work on the kit, however I've recently made a major house move so it's only now I can share my progress.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52999441566_0f331df845_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKnZvh) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKnZvh) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52998843507_cd6b80f9a4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKjVHV)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oKjVHV) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52999590989_60fed9a860_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKoKVx)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oKoKVx) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52999590784_6cd1729e38_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKoKS1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oKoKS1) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52998843512_0111c4055c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKjVJ1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oKjVJ1) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52999815585_9ff05d8f24_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oKpUFT)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oKpUFT) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
So far there has been very little assembly, focused instead on painting parts. Now that I'm settled in the new town I hope to get back into this very exciting kit soon!
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Looks like big fun to build. I am keen on seeing this one build up!
Andreas
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Nice start Zac! I am looking forward to the rest of your build!
RAGIII
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Off to a good start, Zac -
I only found recently that this company is made up of the WNW team so let's hope more comes from their stable!
Regards
Dave
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let's hope more comes from their stable!
I am very, very excited to learn what subject's next after the Spitfires they have lined up. That said, I'd be very very keen on a Spit Mk.Vb should one appear in one of these lovely boxes!
Unfortunately I don't yet have a bench set up but I'll try and get some more paint onto plastic this week.
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A bench, a bench, my kingdom for a bench! Never mind, got one! There was a perfectly good desk sitting in one of our glasshouses (visible in the below pic). After a rub-down (and removing the top so I could lift the darn thing) I have a workspace again:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046181744_c6acbb1f91_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPvxJq)The Blemheim Bench v.1 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPvxJq) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
So out with a certain black box and its contents to see where we're at. I'd previously cemented the frame with the instrument panel to the cockpit floor, and decalling said IP was the next step. However while the clear gloss dried I decided to assemble the seat. There are two seatbacks included, one with moulded seatbelts and one without. Next time I do one of these kits I'll get aftermarket belts and use the bare part as I'm not impressed with my paintjob...touch ups are planned today!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046403355_30dd619282_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPwFBi)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPwFBi) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
You may just be able to see I broke a support while installing the armour plate. This was a tricky move because there's an angled slot and the part is thin, but I reckon with some gentle persuasion and a little cement I can fix it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046166919_f7fc03e13d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPvtjP)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPvtjP) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
The shade of interior green paint of early Spitfires is a subject of much discussion (even the kit's instructions spend a lengthy paragraph addressing it) and after reading discussion on Britmodeller I opted for Humbrol 131. To each their own but it looks right to me.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046507383_3f1580a23b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPxdwT)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPxdwT) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
Decalling the instrument panel was rather daunting due to so many individual decals. That's a lot of little things to go on one slightly larger thing!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046487863_812e230c66_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPx7Jk)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPx7Jk) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
However maybe five minutes later, maybe less:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53045409657_203d5b45cf_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPrAdz)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPrAdz) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
To quote a favourite YouTuber of mine: super easy, barely an inconvenience! Some are slightly misaligned but with the naked eye one can't really tell. A matt coat will go on next and then a drop of gloss (or maybe Clearfix) on each dial face.
Before bed I attached the next forward frame and the radiator flap lever.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53045433422_32d97eb598_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPrHhj)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPrHhj) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
I also properly painted the propeller and the tips are to be masked and yellowed next:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046197504_43d45a28e3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPvCq9)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPvCq9) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
Today will be touch-ups on the seat and sidewalls, the aforementioned IP clear coating, and installing the stick and seat. I may be helping a friend at the airfield with some misc. jobs, and am planning on a trip past an old RNZAF fighter station (https://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/12683/lost-airfields-fairhall) to see what's left, but I expect to at least get that stuff done!
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Good too see have a work space and are underway again. It's a lovely looking kit and you've made a great start. Congrats on the house move too.
Richie
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Thanks Richie, I've moved here to do a two-year aeronautical engineering course which starts on Monday...so you can imagine my excitement!
Some progress over the last 24hr: decals and additional parts added to the sidewalls, and the final fuselage frames out ready for installation. Not pictured are the now-attached engine cowlings.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53048400904_f2d4dc919c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPGVpN)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPGVpN) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53047608062_107c83644f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPCRJ7)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPCRJ7) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53048680513_4a6e34c9b4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPJmwD)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPJmwD) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53048675993_e4f112fc6d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPJkbH)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPJkbH) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
So far no snags that are the kit's fault! I could have the cockpit and fuselage closed up today but I'm off Omaka Aerodrome to help with a restoration project, and Sunday night is time for drinks at the aero club, so it may have to wait.
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Nice progress!
Steve
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That looks really good!
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Nice work Zac, looking forward to seeing more.
Tim
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You are progressing well Zac. Looks very good to Me!
RAGIII
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You're tempting me to raid my stash with this build Zac. It all looks very impressive. :)
Richie
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You know the trouble with being a member of this forum? All the work is so beautifully done it makes me want to drop what I'm doing and start a Spitfire/Wildcat/Hansa-Brandenburg/Caudron/Gordon Bennett racer/DH Vampire/etc., etc. etc...
Gorgeous work, Zac. Congrats on the move and starting that course. And one of my great dreams is to make it to Omaka one of these days.
Dave V.
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Thanks team, it's been pain-free so far and rather enjoyable. The decals behave and the fit is terrific.
Dave V - I'll gladly give you the grand tour!
Yesterday I got the cockpit together (sorry for no pics) and then closed the fuselage halves:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53050821112_dfb2a4ba8d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPVjRw)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPVjRw) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
And then added the spine, fuel tank cover and top cowling:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53051594869_ea04e978f5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPZhSa)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2oPZhSa) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
No progress to report today as I've had my first lot of homework (https://www.nmit.ac.nz/study/programmes/new-zealand-certificate-in-aeronautical-engineering-specialist-support-level-4-general-aviation/) to do, but the next steps are big ones: assembling and fitting the wing.
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Nice work and fast progress!
Regards
Dave
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Excellent progress Zac. How was the fit on the spine and cowl. I have heard it is Outstanding but always good to get other opinions!
RAGIII
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Outstanding indeed! So far I've encountered no fit issues other than the fuselage spine seems a tad thinner than where it meets the fuselage.
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Looking great and coming along nicely Zac!
I hope the homework goes well - remember, L = (1/2) ρ v^2 s CL ;D
Cheers!
BC
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Coming along nicely, Zac, that looks to be one beautiful kit. Being a stickler for obscure details, I'm curious to know whether Kotare included the red WHEELS DOWN indicators that popped up on the wings when the gear was extended...?
Good luck with the classes, and if I'm ever in NZ I'm gonna hold you to that Grand Tour offer!
Dave V.
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Work progressed over the weekend, mainly painting undercarriage and wing components - not much to show off at this point. But it IS going together quite fast...would be going faster if I wasn't doing a paint scheme with a white wing :-[
I hope the homework goes well - remember, L = (1/2) ρ v^2 s CL ;D
Today we learned how to remove lockwire and cotter (split) pins and tomorrow we learn how to fit them...that equation seems a tad more advanced than our current stage! ;D
Being a stickler for obscure details, I'm curious to know whether Kotare included the red WHEELS DOWN indicators that popped up on the wings when the gear was extended...?
I'm very pleased to confirm it does!
(https://i.imgur.com/0goYmUH.jpg)
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Looks sooooo good, who needs am bits...
Will useyour thread when I get to mine...
Ed
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Looks sooooo good, who needs am bits...
To be honest I'd quite like to add radio boxes etc as there are two access panels on the fuselage moulded separately and it felt weird cementing them closed. Next time!
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Cool beans. I'm mightily impressed that they included the little indicator masts... but from all I've heard about the standards set by their former employers I guess I shouldn't be surprised at all.
Dave V.
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Hi all,
Progress has been at a standstill as I've been bogged down with study and 1/1 aircraft work - the kit is great and the delays are all down to me and my time management! Rest assured I'll be back on it in the near future.
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I hope "two months later" counts as "near future", her's a photo from October 21"
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53273441918_600e60cfa3_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2paAjgh)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2paAjgh) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zacyates/), on Flickr
After realising using a hairy stick to apply white to the wing underside would not result in a satisfactory finish worthy of this lovely kit I decided to use Tamiya Surface Primer to cover up my mistake (the above photo was after the first coat, I could've sworn I took one after all was done). Christmas holidays are coming up so I'm hopeful I'll be able to get back onto this with a couple of rattlecans, after which swift progress should resume. Unfortunately I don't yet have said paint and my student finances haven't allowed me to get the paint yet.
And besides all that I've been laid low since the 3rd of this month with a particularly vicious flu - proper flu, not just a cold - that's seen me almost pass out at school and bedridden for almost two weeks now. Rest assured I want to work on this beauty (you may have also noticed me posting less on the forum) but things have just not been going my way!
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Looks good, Zac! I saw one of these kits at the IPMS show I went to last month, but opted for the WnW Le Rhône Camel instead... I’ve loved Spitfires since building my first 1/72 Revell kit circa 1964, though, and am pretty sure there's a Kotare waiting to waylay me somewhere down the line.
Dutch
(And I hope it was regular old garden-variety turn-you-inside-out flu, and not the five-letter variety... ?)
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Building models is nothing for the impatient :)
Nice progress and good for your interior to spray outside (ask me where I know this from…)
Andreas
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(And I hope it was regular old garden-variety turn-you-inside-out flu, and not the five-letter variety... ?)
Tests keep coming back negative for the five-letter C-word, but if I spend too long upright I begin to get very fatigued. I tried some bench time yesterday and managed a few minutes, will try again later today as it's been several weeks since I've been able to work on any models.