forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: lcarroll on July 02, 2020, 07:19:46 AM
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Having just completed a long Build of the Wingnut Wings Halberstadt C.VI I decided to take another foray into a different topic area. A member of my local club had brought Tamiya's newer 1:32 Spitfire to a meeting and I was greatly impressed with the Kit quality and particularly the exquisite detail, I rate it of the same quality as Wingnut's in detail and engineering. After checking several extremely positive Build reviews online I was sold and took the plunge.
(https://i.imgur.com/zE79FgG.jpg)
The Kit markings include that on the Box Art, WComd Johnnie Johnson's iconic "JEJ" when he led the all Canadian Wing based in Kenley. After a search online I located markings for one of his Squadron Commanders, a boyhood hero of mine from Regina Saskatchewan where I spent part of my childhood, Squadron Leader Wally McLeod. He was a 21 victory ace and was KIA in Sept of 1944 on a Fighter Sweep with Johnson and members of his squadron 443 RCAF.
(https://i.imgur.com/WbuvCRs.jpg)
It's taken several long sessions to get the cockpit module almost completed. I won't be doing a full Build Log however will post photos and updates along the way............. who doesn't love a Spitfire!?
Cheers,
Lance
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Excellent news, Lance!
I will be following along with interest.
Cheers,
Bob ;)
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Following along with much interest Lance !
I have already tackled this , you are in for a treat :)
Terri
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Thanks for the encouragement von B and Terri. Any pitfalls you can brief me on Terri??
Cheers,
Lance
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Lance, you want to build it?
A kit from Tamiya is a "shaking kit": Open the box, add paint, glue and water for the decals, shake vigorously - done! ;D ;D
At least that are the rumors about the legendary quality.
Have fun with the new project,
Frank
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Lance...oh yeah, who doesn't love a Spitfire?...this is great...I've been immersed in Spitfires, Hurricanes, Churchill, the Battle of Britain for several weeks now...obscure documentaries, books....what a treat this is going to be..and the Spitfire Mark IX in the bargain...in your masterly hands?...as the kids say...awesome.
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Frank,
Actually I was very tempted to add some wiring to the cockpit but resisted the urge as it will not be easily seen. The engine, however, looks like some additional wiring and plumbing may have to be considered. As for the quality, so far it's very impressive!
Doug,
A legendary subject for certain. I was tempted by the Mk. XVI Version but thought it had not served in any Canadian Units however, after several sessions of searching the net, I discovered that two of our Squadrons used them from just after D Day until the end of the war. Now I'm tempted to add one to the pile, that "Bubble Top" canopy is mighty attractive!
Cheers,
Lance
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The cockpit module is complete, here's some photos from the building and then completed phase. The instrument panel is a "sandwich" type assembly with regular, clear plastic, decals, and photo etched sections.
(https://i.imgur.com/xnCr8ny.jpg)
The seats were completed with an After Market Sutton Harness set from HGW. A very nice touch are the two PE Armor plates for behind the seat:
(https://i.imgur.com/MIxxbaQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/6knJ3hN.jpg)
The small components are numerous and well represented, PE 2 dimensional components are minimal:
(https://i.imgur.com/AVtdTDb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xnCr8ny.jpg)
The area behind the seat is also well detailed:
(https://i.imgur.com/RtP4i8j.jpg)
........ and last the completed module ready for insertion into the fuselage before closing it up:
(https://i.imgur.com/C0EM7Fp.jpg)
I've not yet decided whether the engine will be next or to just follow the Instruction Booklet and do the wings and empennage.
Cheers,
Lance
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Really nice start in pit Lance . One of the positive with this kit is the cockpit isn't over run with pointless PE . The only thing to really watch for is fitting the engine/frame to the fuselage . If this isn't perfect the cowling panels will not fit right . Also make sure that any detail you add to the engine bay doesn't interfear with the panels . Other then that the whole build went smooth for me . I also built their Mustang with another in the stash and their Corsair with another tuck away keeping the other spitfire company . I love these kits , very well engineered and packed with detail .
Terri
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Thanks Terri. That's quite an endorsement of this series of Kits, two of each! I can certainly understand the attraction though, if this Kit is an indication they are pretty special!
Cheers,
Lance
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Lovely work Lance.!
Got me thinking, is there a market for kits in this scale, perhaps even 1:16, which only build the cockpit module.?
I know there are a few about which just make engines, but there can be so much detail within a cockpit assembly and of course they would take up much less shelf space than a completed model. I often remark that the frame/cockpit assemblies of the WNW kits could standalone as models.
Of course, scratch building is always an option too:.
Just a thought - don’t want to detract from your excellent work on this Spit’...
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Thanks for the comments Ian. I recall a kit of a detailed Instrument Panel (I think it was a "109") years ago but nothing like you describe. Wingnut Wings of course were planning the forward nose section Kit of their Lancaster before their shut down which I believe would have sold very well. I speculate that a small line of cockpit models in a large scale like 1:24 or 1:16 would market well, not a bad idea!
Cheers,
Lance
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Following this with interest, I always meant to build one of these but was holding out for a 1/32 Mk.1. I must admit I'm feeling the need to build a Spitfire and a Hurricane to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
I like your comparison with WNW engineering. I have a feeling that the WNW team set out to equal and even surpass the quality of Tamiya's kits.
Richie
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Richie,
The further I progress on this project I'm tending to regard the Wingnut Wings standard as just slightly higher then this Kit, but not by much! I have dry fitted the fuselage halves and the seams are virtually invisible!
Cheers,
Lance
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Not sure if you have seen this and I'm still pretty much a lurker here but I watched this yesterday,..and ran into your post just now. It's a very nice documentary. If you have it available it is worth the watch....I saw it on Netflix. Following along on your build ;) -Aaron
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5913184/
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I have been away Lance and had missed this until now. I fully understand why modellers are so taken with the Spitfire and looking at the images of your build i can understand their excitement even more. You really are making a super job of it - the seat belts in particular look real. Very impressive detail in the cockpit which hopefully will be visible when the model is finished. I will be keeping a closer eye on this in future.
Stephen.
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Aaronc, thank you for this. I will be checking it out, the trailer is wonderful, nothing beats the growl of a Merlin!
Stephen, thanks for your comments as well and welcome back. You are correct, the beauty of Mr. Mitchell's design and the machine just never fades!
Cheers,
Lance
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Your Spitfire's looking fantastic Lance. A great kit that deserves to be made and your cockpit is so realistic.
The seat belts are so realistic!
cheers
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Just catching up on all of the Off Topic builds and Your Spitfire is looking Fantastic! The Tamiya kit looks Beautiful and is certainly enhanced by your skill!
RAGIII
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Thanks Rick, (and belatedly to Dave!) I've got the wing and fuselage together and have just started the Merlin, slow but going well and enjoyable as a bonus. I'll get a few photos shortly. :)
Cheers,
Lance
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Hey Lance - just happened to find this thread. Great job on the cockpit. I'm watching with keen interest since I picked this kit up in the last year or so and am waiting for an opportunity to start it. You can't get a more beautiful looking aircraft than the Spitfire Mk. IX I always thought.
Regards,
Gary
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Looking great so far, Lance! I'm working on my "Covid-Corsairs" in 1/72, and it's interesting how I miss some things of building biplanes, and others not.
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Gary,
Thanks for commenting, and you won't regret having picked this one up, it's a beautiful Kit and, as you say, they don't come much prettier if at all! I've also popped for their Mk.XVI "Low Back" Version as I didn't want to wait until it's no longer available. I hope to get onto that once the Triplane frenzy abates!
Jeroen,
As the old saying goes "A change is often as good as a rest" and I am enjoying this project. I don't think we realize how delicate our "stringbag" models are until we tackle a much more robust subject!
Cheers,
Lance
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Picture's Lance ... we want pictures ! ;) We need our fix man ...come on hook us up ;)
Sounds like you are really enjoying the build so far 8)
Terri
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Jeroen,
As the old saying goes "A change is often as good as a rest" and I am enjoying this project. I don't think we realize how delicate our "stringbag" models are until we tackle a much more robust subject!
Cheers,
Lance
Definately true! Besides my Corona-Corsairs I'm working on a 1/32 Trumpeter A-6 Intruder, and it's huge! One thing I don't miss when doing "stringbags", and that is ordnance. My A-6 will be loaded up with 18 500lb bombs, and the engineering on those is truly awful. I'll have to stick with them, as the Eduard bombs come at around 20€ for 6 pieces, and I need 18!
When I have a bit more to show I'll open up a build log if there is any interest in a flying tadpole ;-)
Jeroen
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I finished this project today after over four months of slow and oft interrupted Building. It is an excellent Kit and I enjoyed the Build immensely.
I elected to install the magnetically attached engine cowlings permanently as, Like several of Wingnut Wing's kits, any tiny error in the fuselage frame will make the fitting of the cowlings horrible, and I fell into that trap!
I elected to apply a "medium" amount of weathering as this Squadron was deployed right behind the Normandy invasion and operated from temporary airfields all the way to Germany at wars end. The model has loads of after market additions: resin wheels and exhaust manifolds, fabric seat belts, Brass gun barrels, and EagleCal Decals to name a few.
I had intended to do a complete Build log for this however got so far ahead after starting I never went back to update!
(https://i.imgur.com/wyzeikw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/et0zFFM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wao3niy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QmVa1JM.jpg)
The panel detail on this model is the best I've seen:
(https://i.imgur.com/usHToSI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OyAELUV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xOGoyLK.jpg)
...... and what's not to like about a Spitfire!?
(https://i.imgur.com/d7l5zR6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vmWcGdw.jpg)
I really enjoyed this Kit, and the change of pace. Highly recommended!
Cheers,
Lance
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Outstanding Lance! And I love the subtle weathering you have achieved here. Those Tamiya 1/32 kits are a joy to work with.
I'm really impressed with how you have painted and detailed this model, just world class work there!
cheers
Dave W
Gold Coast
Australia
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Wow Lance - I love this! Like you say - what's not to like about a Spitfire. Superb painting and weathering - and the buttoned-up cowling has it looking sleek as a Spitfire should. Beautiful job indeed.
Cheers,
Gary
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Dave, Gary,
Thanks for the nice comments, very much appreciated! It is indeed a great Kit and, although pricey, provides a wonderful modelling experience as will the follow on Mark XVI. This was actually my first experience with a Tamiya Kit, I'd really like to see them "dip their toes" in the WW.I Aircraft pool! :)
Cheers,
Lance
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Lovely looking Spit! I've got a half built one just waiting... Maybe now's the time?
/Fredrik
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Wow!
Lovely work on the Spitty, Lance!
The weathering is spot on - well done.
vB
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Thanks for looking and commenting Bob and Fredrik. Go for it Fredrik, it's a great Kit!
Cheers,
Lance
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Great job Lance,
The recent Tamiya 1/32 kits are sublime...
Guy
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Lance ,
Wow man , you did a fantastic on your Spitfire :)
Terri
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Guy, Terri,
Thank you both, coming from model Builders like you two it's pretty inspiring! Yes, tyhese newer 1:32 tamiya Kits are pretty hard to beat!
Cheers,
Lance
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That looks fantastic. It looks like you could just kick the tyres and climb right in.
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Thank you Sir, it does "grow" on you, such a great design!
Cheers.
Lance
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Marvelous, Mr C...extremely well done.