forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 12, 2025, 03:29:13 AM

Title: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 12, 2025, 03:29:13 AM
Hi all,
I'm currently building the 'Kotare' Spitfire Mk.1a.
It will hopefully be part of a dual aircraft build project.
So far I've completed the cockpit and closed up the fuselage.
The rest of the aircraft has been assembled ready for priming,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SE5aWNWViper/spit.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: NigelR on August 12, 2025, 04:20:41 AM
Very nice indeed, great start. Although I already have too many kits, those Kotare kits look tempting.....
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: gedmundson on August 16, 2025, 07:20:39 PM
Looking forward to seeing your spin on this one, Mike. I thoroughly enjoyed putting that kit together and I think it's the best looking Spitfire Mk.1 model. Very well engineered.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 18, 2025, 12:29:40 AM
Hi all,
Some progress on the model.

Primed with Mr. Surfacer Black 1500.
Underside and top surface camouflage painted with mixed Tamiya paints to achieve the colour shades required.
The canopies were masked for painting using 1.0 mm wide tape and masking fluid.
I did buy the 1manArmy laser cut masking set but didn't use it in the end.
This model represent the aircraft after it was moved to another unit, where the undersides were brush re-painted.
All off the underside stencil markings were covered with the paint.
So the kit supplied decals were used, as only the fuselage fastener masks could have been used from the 1manArmy set.

The next step is to clear coat the model before adding weathering,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SE5aWNWViper/spit1.jpg)


Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on August 19, 2025, 05:19:23 AM
Hi all,
The pilot.
Painted using mixed Tamiya acrylics and Citadel water based paints.
Flattened with 'Alclad' flat lacquer (ALC314).

Mike


(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SE5aWNWViper/spitpilot.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: NigelR on August 20, 2025, 06:05:44 PM
That's looking very nice Mike, I'll be interested to see how you weather this one.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: PrzemoL on August 20, 2025, 07:37:25 PM
Very nice work all around. And a great kit as one can see. Oh, how I wish Kotare ventured into WW1 aircraft models...
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on September 29, 2025, 12:12:31 AM
Hi all,
The Spitfire Mk.1a is done.
This will be part of a dual build with the SE5a build.
No build log for this model as its a one off,

Mike.

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPITFIRE/done1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPITFIRE/done2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPITFIRE/done5.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPITFIRE/done3.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPITFIRE/done4.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: NigelR on September 29, 2025, 07:09:05 PM
Very nice indeed, nice finishing all round. How did you find the build compared to a WWI aircraft? How did it compare in terms of time taken?
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on September 29, 2025, 07:57:35 PM
Very nice indeed, nice finishing all round. How did you find the build compared to a WWI aircraft? How did it compare in terms of time taken?

Hi Nigel,
The build was as expected from Kotare - very good.
As is normal, the cockpit detail took longest.
I added flight control cables but as usual they can't really be seen.
Timewise probably not as long as a WW1 model.
Primarily because there's no rigging and I didn't research as such or write a build log for it, which doubles the time taken.
An interesting build though, considering the last large scale Spitfire I built was back in 1972, when serving at RAF Brize Norton!!

Mike
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: RAGIII on October 14, 2025, 12:58:32 PM
Nicely done build of one of My favorite WW2 subjects...19 Squadron Spit!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: bobs_buckles on October 15, 2025, 03:21:13 AM
Lovely spitty, Mike!

Can you share the tamiya paint mixes for the green and brown?

Cheers,
Bb  ;)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on October 15, 2025, 06:24:01 AM
Lovely spitty, Mike!

Can you share the tamiya paint mixes for the green and brown?

Cheers,
Bb  ;)
Hi Bob,
Sorry, but I didn't write a build log for the Spitfire.
I can't remember what paint and mixes I used for the camo and the undersides,

Mike
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: macsporran on October 15, 2025, 04:35:02 PM
You just canny beat a Spitfire!
Lovely
Sandy
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.1a
Post by: bobs_buckles on October 16, 2025, 03:13:37 AM
No worries , Mike.
Cheers,
Bob

 ;)