Academy Spitfire Mk XIV 1:72

[dr_gn]

A pal of mine from work wanted to get back into modelling after a gap of 20 years or so. I said I'd help him - if I could - with building a simple model. The deal was he built the basic structure and I'd help with finshing. I would do one half of a particular step, and he'd duplicate what I'd just done:



This way we quickly covered Airbrushing, masking (camo & canopy), pre-shading, washes, decal solutions and varnishing. Considering he'd never even used an airbrush before, and never tried any of those techniques, the end result looked great!







Just shows that none of the techniques mentioned are particularly difficult, and that a novice can get a great result. We decided not to add final exhaust and gun smoke staining, since one error there could ruin the entire model.

Put next to my own Academy Tempest V, it looks just as good unless under close scrutiny. The Tempest took me weeks, and has many scratchbuilt and aftermarket parts, but with the exception of a sprue whip aerial the Spitfire is OOB. It took approx. 3 afternoons in total to finish.



So to anyone reluctant to have a go, just get an Acaemy 1:72 model and give it a try!

[Eric Mc]

Sometimes a return to basic modelling is a good thing. It helps put the fun back into the hobby.

Another kit that resides in my loft.

[Evangelion]

I've got one in my loft too, plus the old Frog one which I shall build at the same time. Wonder which will look better?

[Eric Mc]

Evangelion said:

I've got one in my loft too, plus the old Frog one which I shall build at the same time. Wonder which will look better?

From my memory of building the FROG one (and the included V1) almost 40 years ago is that the canopy wasn't a very good fit.

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

Evangelion said:

I've got one in my loft too, plus the old Frog one which I shall build at the same time. Wonder which will look better?

From my memory of building the FROG one (and the included V1) almost 40 years ago is that the canopy wasn't a very good fit.

There are two canopy options with the Academy version: single moulding as in the pictures, or a three piece one that can be posed open. Maybe the spare could be used for the Frog kit - might be a beeter fit?