**** DONE: Spitfire MkVb,31st FG,USAAF - Aircraft in Foreign Service GB

[Crimea_River]

Colours don't look too bad but the pattern seems a bit off. There should be a sheet in the box showing the exact pattern scaled to the exact model size that you could use for reference. I've even used it as a mask myself.

 

[Airframes]

Looking pretty good so far, but I agree with Andy. The upper surface was standard RAF Day Fighter camouflage pattern, with the un-wanted roundels painted out. The colours were Dark Green and Ocean Grey (the latter sometimes 'Mixed grey', which was slightly lighter). The upper surface grey on your model looks a touch too light for either of these, although it could be the effect of the lighting.

 

[Gnomey]

Nice work so far!

 

[N4521U]

Just a tip, something I learned in here with my first GB. We've all been thru it.

Measure the model, wing tip to wing tip, from the underside. Then enlarge the top view diagram in the insdtructions to the same size on a copy machine. Cut the camo pieces from this and blue tac them to the plane and use them as masks. I did this on my Defiant, I had to re-paint the whole camo scheme to get the correct colors and paterns. Hope this helps. Bill

 

[Wayne Little]

 

[ccheese]

That's a good idea..... why didn't Wayne think of that ?

Charles

 

[Vic Balshaw]

That's the way I do it.

 

[Wayne Little]

That's a good idea..... why didn't Wayne think of that ?

Charles

I'm still learnin' stuff....

 

[N4521U]

And on another note.
Notice dark and light are switched for the opposite camo scheme, depending on the serial number of the plane, if I recall correctly?

 

[A4K]

Agree with all, but good work mate!

 

[Crimea_River]

Actually, the Tamiya Spit should already have the camo drawing inlcuded at the right scale in which case there's no need to do the scale adjustment that Bill mentioned.

 

[Florence]

Second verse, same as the first....well nearly.

Resprayed the camo. Tried to out think myself the first time - decal sheet scheme pattern is slightly different to standard, looked at reference photo too long and tried to incorporate the respainted areas into one round of masking. Will now just respray the overpainted areas.
Re: the colour of Ocean Grey I have used model master paints which seems to cause some debate about its shade.
Need to touch up a few spots and struggle on.

Thanks for looking,

David.

 

[A4K]

I'd just say they need to be a little darker in tone, which I think a gloss coat will achieve. Looking good anyway!

 

[Wayne Little]

Good second effort, as you say couple of touchups and your on you're way!

 

[N4521U]

Now yer talkin.......
Great effort. Sticking with it is what counts.
From this point on it will never be an issue.

 

[Crimea_River]

Looks much better. I wouldn't argue with the colours as there were variations in the grays.

 

[Airframes]

Certainly looking a lot better. I'd stay with that shade of grey - it's a tad light for Ocean Grey, but fairly close to 'Mixed Grey' and, as Andy pointed out, there were variations. Plus, these aircraft were 'secondhand' passed on from the RAF, so very likely more weathered/faded.

 

[Gnomey]

Nicely done!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Look good David and as the gurus say, it will darken a tad when a couple of coats of clear spray are applied.

 

[Wurger]

Yep.. I'm with all above.