**** DONE: GB-39 1/72 Spitfire Mk.I – Battle for France to Battle of Britain

[Wayne Little]

Doing ok there Michael...

 

[A4K]

Humbrol 85 (Coal Black) or Revell 6 are good Michael, maybe lightened a touch to taste as Andy and Geo suggested.

 

[parsifal]

Agree with Andy. If you are using Tamiya: XF-85 (Rubber Black), XF-69 (Nato Black) and for a really faded black or dry brushing on top of black, XF-63 (German Grey)

I might mess around with a mix of either Rubber Black or Nato Black, and some of that XF63 mixed in.

In the flesh the spinner is black, but its difficult (for me at least) to compensate for scale effect. A straight black at 1:72 will be a very two dimensional result, but neither do I want to overdo the lightening up process, producing a model that wouldn't be out of place in an episode of the muppets.

A bit of experimentation needed I think.

I also have to attach the underwing decals, the upper surface wing lines (I will try the decals first, if they are unsuccessful will use Terrys painting method), I need to attach the pitot tube 9?) to the underside of the wing and finish the rigging. I'm going to apply one more clear coat to try and soften the rough finish caused by the airbrush failre, then it should be finished.....

 

[A4K]

Looking forward mate

 

[fubar57]

Agree with Evan. For what its worth, I use straight up Nato Black for all my blacky things.

 

[Crimea_River]

Don't overthink it Michael.

 

[Wayne Little]

yep, keep it simple.....or the Hun in the Sun will get you.....

 

[A4K]

Daga-daga-daga-daga!!!

 

[Wayne Little]

 

[parsifal]

So after much delay and more than a little drama, I think im just about there.

I finished up using just straight rubber black for the prop , with the yellow flashed at the prop tips being 1 part Tamiya Orange to 6 parts straight yellow.

I found the biggest difficulty was trying to rectify the numerous faults in the outer skin. There was the rough almost spatter effect from the old airbrush, but added to that, after a few days of curing, these horrible blotchy stains percolated up to the top really ruining the paint work I had done so far.

I think the discolouration was caused by oil or some other impurity that had managed to find its way onto the surface coat before I applied either the final topcoat or perhaps earlier whilst applying the RAF green. either way, it was a mess. My theories are that either some residue from the decal setting fluid, or residue from the masking that I did after the first coat. Either way, it took a couple of days to show its ugly head.

I still haven't rectified the problem, but its a bit better now and at least presentable I think. Basically I used a very fine buffing wheel, with the Dremel set to less than 20 rpm and carefully buffed out as much as I could . it was a very slow process, and very risky as well , but it seems to have worked. I also used something Ive only recently found …..Tamiya cutting compound which seems to work pretty well in a desperate situation.

I still have one or two things to fix before calling this. the prop is just dry fitted at the moment and there is some excess invisible thread that I need to trim.


But its basically finished at this point...…

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

Not too shabby..

 

[Crimea_River]

Good work Michael.

 

[A4K]

Turned out nicely Michael. (Interesting size on the wing roundels!)

 

[destrozas]

a good job here michael, remember to open the other thread of finishes ....

 

[parsifal]

Thanks everyone. I will try and post the "finished" thread today. ive attached the prop fully now as well as trimmed back the aerial wire.

This build will be a birthday gift for my eldest son, turning 36 tomorrow.

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work!

 

[N4521U]

Well done....
a fine addition to the GB

 

[parsifal]

Well done....
a fine addition to the GB

In the terms of farmer hogget "That'll do pig, that'll do".........