1:48th Vb stub-wing

1
August 17, 2020
Started a few years ago, and promptly stopped. Then decided as I'm finding some 72nds a bit of a dexterity-challenge to cross to the 'dark-side' and try with, I hope, a benign build from Tamiya with a bit of Eduard-Zoom for added 'eye-candy'.
2
August 17, 2020
Stub-wings to make a break from the traditional!
3
August 20, 2020
Eduard’s details are easier to handle in this scale. Pops out the details- I’ve not used all of it.
4
August 20, 2020
All ready for the close. It’s difficult to know why Tamiya re-tooled their Mark 1 recently- this tool is superb!
5
August 20, 2020
Fuselage went together with no fuss.
6
August 21, 2020
Amazing how quick it comes together
7
August 21, 2020
Odds are the cannons won’t stay on until the end! A bit of white undercoat for the yellow flashing, and sky band
8
August 21, 2020
Some how seems un-Spit like with the shortened wings
9
August 25, 2020
Going to try my hand at some masks from the 1:1 diagram Tamiya gives you. So we photocopy first.....[update: can’t recommend gyro cutter, yet. Vinyl masking sheet good though]
10
September 4, 2020
Bizarre- Tamiya’s flat light grey is definitely gloss. Nevertheless, can apply decals direct?
11
September 4, 2020
Tamiya’s other RAF colours most certainly “flat”. Abandoned the gyro cutter in the end: technique not mastered. A few touch ups and we’ll gloss her.
12
September 4, 2020
Remarkably viceless application of Tamiya’s paints, and not a blemish in main sight!
13
September 6, 2020
Trying to finish her by Battle of Britain Day 15th September (and yes, I know this never fought then!)
14
September 6, 2020
May need to slim the tops of the yellow/red bands, and tone them down a touch.
15
September 6, 2020
A bit of work around the wings’ leading edges, and then onto the decals.
16
September 13, 2020
After a coat of Klear and some touch-ups, I began the decals. Tamiya’s are very thin, and using the softener do conform somewhat to the raised contours, but retouches will have to be done.
17
September 13, 2020
The roundel-decals have a white circle undercoat- this you need as the top roundel is semi-transparent. Again softener needed to try and get them to confirm to raised details. Some touch ups required, especially around the fin and main wing roundels.
18
September 15, 2020
And on Battle of Britain Day, 15th September......a Mark Vb which of course never fought. Near completion
19
September 15, 2020
Exhausts to finish. Canopy to go back. Smoke to add. Flat varnish....then done
20
September 15, 2020
Super, viceless kit
21
September 15, 2020
And more.....
22
September 15, 2020
The underside’s weathering with enamels- not brave enough yet to try oils

Comments

12 17 August 2020, 16:49

Andy Ball Author
A first foray, (well, for many years), into the quarter scale.

20 August 2020, 19:47

Thomas Bischoff
👍
I switched 25 years ago - never regretted it

21 August 2020, 17:41

Andy Ball Author
@Thomas: this may be the build on the cusp of a realisation....I'm beginning to struggle with its smaller sibling, the 72nd...

21 August 2020, 22:45

Andy Ball Author
@Roland, many thanks. That's motivation to get this, (and P-61B/Tu-128M), all done!

21 August 2020, 22:46

Guy Rump
Looking really good so far Andy, I like it. I have got so many 1/72 kits to build I can't justify a foray into 1/48....yet 🙂

22 August 2020, 08:40

Andy Ball Author
@Guy: yup, I've got many 72nds to finish, one day..., however the issues that the Arma Hurricane raised and my desire to show more of the plane, means I'm drawn up a scale. I just need to see how many of the bigger WW2 bombers are available?

23 August 2020, 21:06

Urban Gardini
Looking nice but no red crowbars until after the war.

23 August 2020, 21:23

Andy Ball Author
@Urban: thanks mate....but, what colour then?

23 August 2020, 21:29

Andy Ball Author
@Roland: thx, I'll try a retro-patch up ????????

23 August 2020, 21:59

Urban Gardini
Silver, Interior green or black.

24 August 2020, 09:59

Andy Ball Author
@Urban: Sure!

24 August 2020, 12:56

Andy Ball Author
Some progress and hoping to push on this weekend ahead of the 15th September

5 September 2020, 08:01

Guy Rump
Looking good Andy 🙂

5 September 2020, 08:11

Andy Ball Author
Masking off and undercoating the wing leading edges and finishing the canopy masking and painting today- @Guy: many thanks for checking in!

6 September 2020, 14:28

Andy Ball Author
Determined to have this finished by the 15th, Battle of Britain day, (I know, it's a Mk.Vb...but it's a Spit)

13 September 2020, 19:21

Guy Rump
This Spit is really looking great Andy, I hope you meet your target of completion by tomorrow.. 🙂

14 September 2020, 20:35

Andy Ball Author
Working those washes Guy...it'll be nearly complete.....

14 September 2020, 21:15

Andy Ball Author
So here in the UK it's the 80th anniversary of the turn of the tide for the Battle of Britain. Essentially my country's been dining out on this magnificent achievement for this length of time! So what better way to announce said anniversary?....a Spitfire Vb !!!!(that never fought- in case you were going to comment!)

15 September 2020, 15:30

Andy Ball Author
@Roland:thanks!!....re. oils: I've used them before and managed to wear off the paint underneath when using the turpentine: so my technique needs adapting. I have a tube of burnt umber to play around on the 2 Lancasters I'm putting together- I'll try them on the internals first.

21 September 2020, 13:29

Album info

First foray into 48 with an old purchase out of stash

Middle Spitter

22 images

1:48

Completed

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb

Royal Air Force (1918-now)
No. 316 (Polish) Sqn. BL479/SZ-X
World War 2
Scheme A

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