Build Log: Airfix 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IA (Pt.3)

 

After the cockpit was completed, the fuselage was assembled. This went together beautifully, using putty only on the leading edged of the wings and the upper fuselage seams. The wing root join was near perfect.

I wanted to try out my AK Extreme Metal. After laying down the Alclad II Gloss Black Base I sprayed a layer of AK 479 Aluminum. After the base and metallic layers were in place, I sprayed down a coat of AK 11859 US Interior Yellow Green as the primer applied at the factory.

Build Log: Airfix 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IA (Pt.2)

 

As usual I began with the cockpit. The first thing I did was drilled out the holes on the frame that the pilot's seat attached to. I bought a set of Micro drills and they have proven to be a godsend, particularly when working on 1:72 scale aircraft. 

Everything was then based with a coat of Stynylrez black acrylic primer and lightly gone over with AK Interactive's Gen3 AK11859 US Interior Yellow Green. These were light coats intended to allow the dark undercoat to create lowlights and shadows.

Build Log: Airfix 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IA (Pt.1)

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Brand: Airfix

Scale: 1/72

Kit No: A01071B

Tooling Date: 2010

Completed: 2023

Engraved Panel Lines: Yes

I got this kit just this year as a Father's Day gift from my beautiful daughters. It's a realtively new tool (for us old timers) and is commensurate with Airfix's newer offerings, which is a good thing. While I don't strive for historical accuracy I cannot say how "accurate" it is. But authenticity is important to me and there is enough detail, and the shape and silhouette easily identify it as a Spitfire. 

Additionally, the instructions are quite simple and easy to read, with the painting and decal instructions provided on the rear of the box. 

Build Log: Academy 1:72 P-51D Mustang (Pt.1)

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Brand: Academy

Scale: 1/72

Kit No: 2132

Tooling Date: 1993

Completed: ???

Engraved Panel Lines: Yes

Several years ago, I purchased Academy's 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang from our local model store. The seat, stick, and radio equipment had already been assembled (but not painted) making the cockpit more than half complete when I got it. But I got it for 50% off so ... no complaints! It ended up on the buried in my stash and languished there. After a recent move, my stash was turned over and it made it's way to the surface.  

Build Log : Revell 1:48 P-40B Tiger Shark (Pt 1 : Intro)

Forward

Ever complete a model but forget everything you did? So, when it came time to recreate a color or technique you couldn't remember how to do it? This happens to me ALL THE TIME. So I figured I would try something a little new for me. Gonna try and do a build log. 

Due to a cross country move, I have been unable to work on anything for over a year. I have recently gotten my model "studio" (garage) set up and now have the chance to get started working on projects again. After more than a year I figure some skills and habits have atrophied so I want to pick a project to use as a "refresher". An inexpensive kit that I could exercise some old and try out some new techniques on.

That being said, a year or so ago I added a few inexpensive Revell model kits to my stash; the 1:48 P-50B Tiger Shark and 1:48 Spitfire Mk. II. These kits are "basic" in that they don't have many parts and are low on detail. A WWII kit seemed a perfect subject to start with, since mistakes may be more easily masked with heavier weathering more common on WWI aircraft than more modern jets.

Revell's Spitfire Mk II

Revell's P-40B Tiger Shark