World War II: Great Britain
Aircraft of Great Britain in WWII.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
Eduard Spitfire Mk.IX early build log.
Kornbeef
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Posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 - 10:28 AM UTC
Damn You're tempting me away from Wood linen and wire again with this .... and 1/48th too.

It looks like it could be Eduards crowning glory.

Keith
Holdfast
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#056
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Posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 - 07:30 PM UTC
Looking Awesome Santa-Luc I haven't offered masks for this because I know that you are building it OOB and I would never get them to you in time for you to use them

Blatant plug:
Masks will be available for this, National insignia, serials, codes, wing leading edge yellow masks, wing walkways, D-Day stripe helpers and Spitfire Camouflage masks. I can also provide some nose art but it depends what it is. I am also in the middle of testing out a soft edge camouflage masks set. This is all available in 1/72-1/24 scales and above and some of the masks can be produced in smaller scales
TedMamere
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2013 - 09:58 AM UTC
Hi Mal,


Quoted Text

Looking Awesome Santa-Luc I haven't offered masks for this because I know that you are building it OOB and I would never get them to you in time for you to use them



That's right, the decals are already on...



They went on very well I must say. First I was disappointed that they were not from Cartograf but the Eduard home made decals did their job equally good. Mal, I would be interested in a set of your masks when they are ready though...

Jean-Luc
vanize
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2013 - 11:35 AM UTC
well it certainly look the part of a mk.IX!
Holdfast
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#056
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2013 - 06:31 PM UTC
That is looking fantastic Santa-Luc. Those decals look to have very good colours, but the sky codes do look a little light, much better than the puke green often used though.It is clear that Eduard have done the Spitfire justice, which is great news because we all know that, "you can't have too many Spitfires"

I will be getting this kit soon but I want to get it from the new model shop opening in Truro T7 Models But it will have to wait until I have the Hobby Boss 1/32 P-61. I will see if I can recreate this nose art as a mask (should be possible)but it will have to wait a little while as I'm still playing catch up. Of course sets that I already have on file will be readily available.
Merlin
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2013 - 09:34 PM UTC
Hi Jean-Luc

Yes - this does look fantastic!

Ironically, though, I was going to make just the opposite point to Mal and question the roundel colours, which look a little bit bright compared with my period paint chips and most (I stress, most - because it's easy to find variations) of my references. But that might be down to the photo and, if nothing else, it proves just how subjective this game is!

All the best

Rowan
TedMamere
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2013 - 10:17 PM UTC
Hi Mal and Rowan,

Here are a couple more pictures of the decals after they have dried overnight...



The codes are a little light indeed and the blue maybe too bright but hopefully the weathering and the matt coat will tone down the effect a bit.

Jean-Luc
drabslab
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European Union
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2013 - 11:43 PM UTC
ooohh,

I am in desperate need of a spitfire

but

I must stick to my resolution, I must stick to my resolution, I ....
Jessie_C
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 02:22 AM UTC
Well it's not as if there aren't literally hundreds of aftermarket alternatives for the markings, not to mention Mal's masks. If the kit decals are the only flaw, that's pretty minor.
Antoni
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 02:43 AM UTC
The grey colour of the gas bottles perhaps originates with TE565 at Kbely.





Definitely not the model for the seat.



Compared to photographs the codes are too pale. I have a set of decals from Kagero's Topcolours 15 which are much better in this respect.

MH712 was photographed on two occasions, with bombs and with a slipper tank. In one of the photographs the spinner looks to be painted white with the base plate Sky. This would be a case of overenthusiastic interpretation as close up no difference can be seen. The cause is probably bright, late year, sunlight at a very low angle. The sides of the radiator and wheel covers also look white.

Fuselage is in fairly good condition but many scratches on the panel below Pat and near the spinner’s base plate. For a long time it was thought that Pat was riding a champagne bottle, only recently have photographs been discovered that show it is a 500lb bomb. There is a square patch of fabric on the roundel that covers the old IFF aerial inlet socket. If these things are important to you there would be a IFF pole aerial mounted under the starboard wing. In the letter W is the admonition “WYCIERAĆ OBUWIE (WIPE YOUR FEET)”. Under the nose was a black letter D.

Wings are much more weathered, the upper surfaces scuffed and with the characteristic chalky appearance of weathered Ocean Grey. Paint chipping is confined to the fuselage side of the wing to fuselage join. This because it was the practice to place a long canvas mat on top of the wing to stop the paint being eroded. The black patch at the trailing edge does not have a sharp demarcation and looks painted on with a brush. Dark in colour but maybe not black. In tone it matches the Dark Green of the fuselage.

Inside of the undercarriage doors and wheel legs appear to be painted Medium Sea Grey but Aluminium was a soft paint that quickly discoloured and dirty and became matt in appearance. Wheels were fitted with covers and there are two red creep marks on the tyres.

I save the bad news for last. There is nothing in the photographs that indicate it had stripes under the wings. Definitely no stripes when it was photographed with the slipper tank. Polish Wings 15 shows it with stripes but neither Topcolours 15 or 2nd Tactical Air Force vol 2 depict it with stripes. Photographs of other Spitfires belonging to the squadron and the Polish Wing show that it was quite normal for there to be stripes only on the under side of the fuselage.
FalkeEins
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 03:15 AM UTC
..that Polish Wings Spit IX monograph is a super reference...and that is a great looking model Jean-Luc !
magnusf
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 03:59 AM UTC
Once again: beautiful! Regarding colours: have you used Tamiya's WWII RAF acrylics?



Magnus
TedMamere
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 10:32 AM UTC
Hi all,


Quoted Text

Regarding colours: have you used Tamiya's WWII RAF acrylics?



Yes I did (XF-81/82/83).

Today I have applied a wash to the model using the Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colors (Dark Brown for the underside and Black for the top surfaces)...



When my models look like in the above picture, I can't help myself and I always think I have ruined all my work. But after some cleaning using White Spirit everything turns back to normal...



And here is the model with a coat of mat varnish (Gunze H20 with a hint of Klir)...



You may notice that I have darkened the code letters in the meantime...

I will be away for a model show in Heiden over the week-end so don't expect an update before monday. I will take the model with me and see if I can work a little on it there.

Jean-Luc
raypalmer
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 12:14 PM UTC
Jean you've gone and done it so well! It's only just come out and you've already issued the last word in the eduard spitfire.
Holdfast
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 06:53 PM UTC
That is looking superb Santa-Luc, I'm itching to get one of these now

Quoted Text


Ironically, though, I was going to make just the opposite point to Mal and question the roundel colours, which look a little bit bright compared with my period paint chips and most (I stress, most - because it's easy to find variations) of my references. But that might be down to the photo and, if nothing else, it proves just how subjective this game is!

All the best

Rowan



I agree Rowan, I was saying that they look good, I don't think that there are any decals out there with the correct colours, but at least Eduard have it close and, as Santa-Luc has shown, when the weathering and matt coat are applied they do look better. The codes do look much better now as well, but masks would have made it a synch to get the correct colour (or at least the same colour as the spinner and fuselage band)

I feel a promotion coming on
Holdfast
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 07:16 PM UTC
Yep, I had to do it, see Half price masks for Eduard Spitfire IX
Merlin
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 07:32 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I don't think that there are any decals out there with the correct colours...



Hi Mal

That may be a slight exaggeration, but never miss a chance for a good plug for your masks! Of course, painted markings will only be as accurate as the colours we buy or mix.

Jean-Luc - While I'm not too made up with the colour of the Eduard roundels, I think their thinness and the way they've snuggled down looks really impressive. Did you use any decal solutions?

The weathering is really pulling it all together. As usual, I can't believe the speed you work at and the wonderful results you achieve so consistently. A true master of your art.

All the best

Rowan
TedMamere
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 10:12 PM UTC
Hi all,


Quoted Text

Did you use any decal solutions?



Only a little Mr. Mark softer here and there but not much. In fact the only place were it was really necessary was for the underside roundels because of a wing bulge.

I have realized that I didn't shot any close up picture of the surface detail. Here are some...





I'm leaving now to the Heiden expo. I will be back late on Sunday. Have a nice week-end all...

Jean-Luc
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 10:52 PM UTC
The Eduard's Spitfire is going to be a really strong candidate for the Model of the Year 2013.
Holdfast
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#056
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Posted: Friday, April 05, 2013 - 11:48 PM UTC

Quoted Text

That may be a slight exaggeration, but never miss a chance for a good plug for your masks! Of course, painted markings will only be as accurate as the colours we buy or mix.



Well of course Rowan (sorry I was referring to RAF WWII colours), but the correct colours are out there (WEM Colourcoates)so you at least have the choice, with decals there is no choice apart from take it or leave it Since i started producing masks I have looked very, very closely at many sets of decals and they tend to be undersized; I'm not sure if that is due to shrinkage of the ink or what but I have learned to never take any decal sheet as correct size wise
eseperic
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Posted: Saturday, April 06, 2013 - 06:14 AM UTC
Hi Jean-Luc,

It is a wonderful build... I just returned from Prag, and had my chance to obtain the kit at the MPM shop. However, my list of kits was way too long and I was a bit indecisive. They acquired only six boxes, and when I returned the next day there were only two. However, I was at first surprised to see that the contents are not many for such a big box, but you've proved that it builds into a very, very nice kit. While inspecting the box, I was also a bit troubled with the decal sheet... but I leave it to the experts. However, I must confirm that the plastic detail and surface details are impeccable an really pleasing... It will definitely move pretty high on my wish list, but I will have to spare some money and probably wait for all the aftermarket niceties that will be released soon. I really compliment your fine execution of the Spitfire!

PS. I bought the Special Hobby Spitfire Mk.Vc, De Tamiya's Mosquito Mk.VI (with many aftermarket parts), and the Phönix D.I (for the unknown reason) - of course in 48'th.... and many, many beer!

All the best,
Entoni
TheModeller
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Posted: Saturday, April 06, 2013 - 12:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The codes do look much better now as well, but masks would have made it a synch to get the correct colour (or at least the same colour as the spinner and fuselage band)



Just as a brief aside, the colour of the codes doesn't need to match the tail band and spinner exactly, the tail band and spinner were factory-applied, the codes were only painted on when the aircraft went to its unit.

Despite being a defined standard its unlikely that the colour of every set of codes would match the colour of the tail band and spinner exactly, you can expect to see some variation, although subtle.
Holdfast
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#056
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Posted: Saturday, April 06, 2013 - 06:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

just as a brief aside, the colour of the codes doesn't need to match the tail band and spinner exactly, the tail band and spinner were factory-applied, the codes were only painted on when the aircraft went to its unit.



Yes Les, and if you use paint masks you can apply that variation and subtlety if you wish
Merlin
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Posted: Saturday, April 06, 2013 - 06:58 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Since i started producing masks I have looked very, very closely at many sets of decals and they tend to be undersized; I'm not sure if that is due to shrinkage of the ink or what but I have learned to never take any decal sheet as correct size wise



Hi Mal

No - that'll just be down to bad design or research, and can equally apply to masks.

Anyway, enough about the pros and cons of decals and masks - this thread is about Eduard's Spitfire and Jean-Luc's fantastic build.

All the best

Rowan
TedMamere
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Posted: Sunday, April 07, 2013 - 08:24 PM UTC
Hi all,

Back from Heiden (lovely expo, it was fun) where I only spent one hour or so working on the model. I did some chipping effects on the underside. There is still some work to do and then the upper sides...



Jean-Luc