I started my xmas present a few months ago and wanted to start a thread going through the build. I've never taken pics through a build before and thought that this would be a good time to start.

This is my 3rd model since starting the hobby again after 20 years away and am more focused than ever to make this model with a great deal of detail as the Spit has got to be my all time favorite aircraft.

Everyone goes on about how great this kit is and i'm another person that is enjoying every minute of it so far.

I am using the full Eduard photoetch kits.














06/09/11


27/9/11


14/11/11
Fitting Photoetch flap kit into plastic. I have modified one wing and left the other to show the difference. 

21/11/11
Lower wing build complete including undercarriage bays. Just needs top surfaces bonding on and I can start joining it to the fuselage. 


4/12/11
Top surfaces bonded on and joined to fuselage.

Engine check fitted to assy.

Control surfaces assembled.

Gun blisters modified from original moulding for accuracy. The blisters were modelled wrong in the kit so a bit of fettling was needed.

This is what the blisters looked like before. You can buy resin alternatives but I prefer to do stuff myself.

23/12/11
Photoetch parts fitted to the Rad Ducts

Ready for paint.

Panel lines highlighted before first coat.

28/12/11
Aluminium base coat applied. I will apply very small dabs of latex masking paint to stone chip prone areas of the wings and fuselage and when the final colours are sprayed this will be rubbed off to expose aluminium chips on those areas giving a flaked / chipped effect.

5/1/12
Lower surface and associated parts sprayed. I have rubbed off the latex mask that I applied on the silver to have the flaked / chipped paint effect. 

16/1/12
Ghosting the camo for grey paint application so I know roughly where to cover.

Masks worked really well. Happy with the finish. Looking more like a Spit now.

26/1/12
I don't do big decals so I prefer to spray larger insignia on with airbrush. I have made my own stencils and am in the process of spraying on the ID and Roundels on to the aircraft. This way I can see all the detail rather than covering it up with a big decal.
26/1/12
I don't do big decals so I prefer to spray larger insignia on with airbrush. I have made my own stencils and am in the process of spraying on the ID and Roundels on to the aircraft. This way I can see all the detail rather than covering it up with a decal. It looks more realistic too IMO. 


1/2/12
All insignia stencil painted. It can be a bit tricky but with a bit of patience it can be a nice finish. 








5/5/12



5/6/12
All decals now fitted. 

Hi Matt
Very nice build mate,what paint did you use on the engine?
Andy

Hi Andy, cheers.

I used Tamiya Matt Black with a small amount of Matt White to take the edge off.

3rd model after a 20-year hiatus, yeah right...my models don't look that life-like and I've been modeling for 10 years straight! You've got a gift, my friend, and I don't just mean your Christmas gift! Enjoy that Spit!

I can assure you this is my 3rd mode after 20 yearsl. ;0) I work for an F1 team and attention to detail is key in my job.

This was my 1st model


This was my 2nd

Awesome detail wish I had the room for 1/32.now do it in 1/48 Kidding don't want you to make the rest of us look bad Very good job

Outer structure and exhaust fitted. Pics on first post.

More pics added.

More progress pics added.

More pics added.

More pics added on my first post.

I'm confused. Where is your first post with the photos? Wonderful job, by-the-way.

They are all on the very first post of this thread. I find it easier collating them all on one post.

If you cant see any then your computer may be blocking them because they are on photobucket.

Oh! I was looking for a first thread. Nobody ever told me I was NOT simple, anyway. Great job on the Spit; a wonderful effort.

Thanks for the nice comment.

Great work.
What material did you use for the stencils/paintmasks?
And how did you cut those perfectly shaped 'J's?

That Spitfire made my head fall off.

Judging by your models you didn't work for Minardi

Sorry for the delay replying. Work is a bit mad at the mo and i've just had a new kitchen fitted and the house is a right state.

I use a stencil material that my work uses for painting the cars. I designed the insignia on the computer and had them cut at a friends graphics shop on a machine.

I will be back on this project soon and adding more pics.

No, only world champs.

OK, I thought there were some kind of machinery involved

Cheers

How'd you make the rubber boots where the ignition wires meet the block?

I drilled the block with a 0.2mm drill and bonded in the wire then cut some 1mm brass tube down to about 3mm length. Then ran it down the wire and bonded it to the block.

Simple but effective.

More pics added.