**** DONE: GB-42 1/48 Spitfire Mk.Vb - MTO II

[fubar57]

Thanks Hugh. Decalling/decaling (?) at the moment, lower surface almost done.

 

[fubar57]

Left side complete. Roundels need a lot of coxing to settle over some wing protrusions. The upper one still needs some work after 3 baths of solution and pressing a very hot cloth over it; the cloth having the best results. Right side to be done next week and then the sticky-outy bit. Weekend is over, camp bus in 3 hours. Have a good week gentlemen

 

[nsmekanik]

Looks good Geo, try a hair dryer on the decals, I've been doing that lately and it works as good as decal softener in some cases. See you when you get back.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Have a good one Geo. The Spitty is looking fine.

 

[Gnomey]

Good work so far!

 

[Wayne Little]

Looking good.....and take care mate.

 

[fubar57]

Thanks all. Decals are done and settled. On finals now: flat coat and lil bits. I started putting the 6 piece prop assembly together and couldn't get the back plate to sit flush with the spinner. There is a square hole in the back of the propeller part that fits over a corresponding nub on the back plate. Three nubs inside the spinner fit into three slots also in the back plate. What isn't shown in the instructions is that there is only one way to put the prop onto the back plate. Put it on wrong and two of the propeller blades will interfere ever so slightly with the slots in the back plate. Once I fiddled around a bit I got a nice flush fit. No other build mentioned this

 

[Crimea_River]

Built in complexity just to drive you crazy.

 

[fubar57]

I think Airfix made a little faux pas. The instructions call for these exhausts on my version...

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but I don't see the gun-heater tube at the back of the real aircraft...

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I'm thinking I need to use 2...

 

[Crimea_River]

TBH I don't see any difference between A and 2 but I do agree the heater tube does not seem to be present.

EDIT. Ah the dreaded cell phone. I see now that 2 has the fish tails. Yes go with those.

 

[fubar57]

A better pic. (2) seems to be the same as the one Airfix wants me to use minus the heater tube.

 

[fubar57]

EDIT. Ah the dreaded cell phone. I see now that 2 has the fish tails. Yes go with those.

Ignore better pic then and I agree with you. I was going to clip the tubes off the painted ones but I may need them down the road

 

[Airframes]

Heater tube might be there in the pic, but, from memory, without checking my references, it may have been deleted for tropical use and, I think, it was only on the port side anyway.

 

[fubar57]

Found another photo of a Vb in "Malta Spitfire Aces". The caption says it was one of the first Vbs delivered to Malta. The aircraft is parked almost exactly as mine is and the heater tube is clearly shown. I'll go without the tube.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Jock Tamson]

Looking good George,

I like your attention to detail. I wouldn't have spotted that detail on the exhausts from the photograph.

Cheers Greg

 

[Wayne Little]

 

[fubar57]

Thanks guys. Dullness achieved, new exhausts painted and installed.

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One landing gear strut attached; very fiddly and nerve wracking. I'll let this set up and then do the other

 

[Airframes]

Nice !