Hey guys, i need some help since im an armour builder

I bought today an ICM 1:48 Israeli spitifre, additional set of british decals and a boh of "royal air force ground crew" so i wanna make a nice small dio with it, now i looked in the box and noticed many additional parts, so if i get it rith i can leave the cocpit open, machineguns open, but what im interested is if i can leave the engine hatch open and if yes, how?

some reference pics will be helpfull also!

thanks
Mirko

Hi Mirko.
The engine covers on Spitfires were removed for maintenance.They are held in place by clips,,the name of which escapes me right now.( I can see Mal rolling his eyes in disgust!).
It would be correct to display these on the ground by the side of the Spit.
Heres a photo circa 1941 which should help and might even give you some ideas for your diorama.
Dont forget to post some photos so we can see.
Hope this helps
Nige

Hi Mirco Im building their mark ix just now, if your kit is the same as mine it has an engine, frame and engine panels that show the engines off also gun panels to show off the guns, if its the same you should be able to show the engine ok its quite a versitle kit.Ive had fit problems with the engine cover i had to use C.A. to keep it on but then Ive only ever done armour before .good luck.

Oh Nige how many times dzus fasteners (deezuss) They are 1/4 turn clips that lock into coresponding rings on the frame. Because they are constantly being turned to unlock and close they always loose their paint. Even pristeen restored examples show this.
Mirko,
The top panel is removeable as well as are the bottom ones but be aware that the centre one, of what looks like 3 on the underside, in Nige's pic is in fact the underside of the oil tank and not a removeable panel at all.
Mal

Just noting that the ICM kit seems to be popular suddenly...

I am building the Israeli version as well (though it should end up as a Norwegion version).

DZUS!
That was the word I was searching for in the remains of my brain! Isnt dezus Latin for clip?
I knew Mal would help me out :-)

Thanks for help mates.

and one more

this is the kit i got for the diorama with the spitfire

now here is another question: I plan to place the figs mostly as shown in boxart, would it be okay if i open just left side of the engine and left side of machine gun on the wing? like they are doing last checks while pilot gets in the plane...

Mirko

Hi Mirko.
Glad we were able to help out.
As for your diorama question,,I dont see any reason why your pose wouldnt be correct. Maintenance between sorties would have seen this situation many times.
Heres a couple more photos I found to give you some ideas.
Nige