Tamiya's New Spitfire Mk I N3200 of 19 Squadron

Crimea_River · Sep 30, 2020

Thanks Grant and yes, go easy with it. Build it up to the point where you like it but no further unless you are looking for a desert rat look!

Berny5664 · Oct 1, 2020

Great work Crimea... Very nica

Berny5664 · Oct 1, 2020

Crimea_River · Oct 7, 2020

Masked and painted the exhausts Tamiya Hull Red and then rubbed on some graphite. Added a bit of blue from a coloured pencil but I'm not sure I'm liking that.

Wurger · Oct 8, 2020

Gnomey · Oct 9, 2020

Lovely work so far Andy!

Crimea_River · Oct 19, 2020

Getting close to the finish. Canopy, nav light, radio antenna, and entry door installed. Tamiya uses a nice method to simulate the thin sliding hood by providing a recessed section of fuselage into which it is inserted. It makes for a convincing representation of the open hood by not making it look so bulky as would be the case for most other kits.

So, the question now is: should I be installing the "cheesecutter" IFF aerials? Pics of N3200 on the beach do not show them, though they are hard to see in even the best pictures. The modern restoration of N3200 did not include them, perhaps for safety reasons, but the Tamiya instructions do show them. The real N3200 was on strength with No 19 Squadron for only about a month before being shot down on May 26, 1940. Any constructive input would be appreciated.

Airframes · Oct 19, 2020

Nice work Andy.
Not 100% sure, but I don't think the IFF wires were present at that period. Without checking my references, I think the wires were much later - from early August rings a bell.

Crimea_River · Oct 19, 2020

Thanks Terry. Checking some sources as well.

EDIT: The Spitfire Site confirms the IFF cheesecutter aerials were introduced late September/early October 1940. So that's one less item on the "to do" list and shame on Tamiya!

rochie · Oct 19, 2020

Looks great, and great research

Grant Barr · Oct 19, 2020

Nice work Andy. That open canopy looks the bees knees!

Definitely going to use this kit as a base for an attempt at making K5054, even though it will require more than a few "adjustments" in this area alone (just need to get the skills up to scratch first!).

Looking forward to seeing the final product. :thumbright:

Crimea_River · Oct 19, 2020

Thanks guys. Grant, it's a wonderful kit but, as I said earlier, read and follow the instructions very carefully.

Gnomey · Oct 20, 2020

Looks great so far Andy!

Crimea_River · Oct 25, 2020

All done. I kept the weathering very restrained so there's just a bit of chipping in the wing roots and service points in addition to the exhaust stains and a bit of gun smoke.

I'd like to thank all those who helped with their knowledge, especially Darryl for his cockpit expertise. Also thanks to all who have pooped in for a look and who provided comments.