Hi, hopefully this will be of some interest to some here.

I started my xmas present a few months ago and wanted to start a thread going through the build. I've never taken pics through a build before and thought that this would be a good time to start.

This is my 3rd model since starting the hobby again after 20 years away and am more focused than ever to make this model with a great deal of detail as the Spit has got to be my all time favorite aircraft.

Everyone goes on about how great this kit is and i'm another person that is enjoying every minute of it so far.

I have assembled the cockpit components and am using the Eduard Kit to detail plus putting some of my own details in too.

I have a lot of reference pics of a MK9 Spit based at Duxford which are coming in very useful especially in the engine areas as i hope to include as much wiring and pipework as i can which is not included in the kit.

I'll keep the pics coming as I progress.
















06/09/11


27/9/11


14/11/11
Fitting Photoetch flap kit into plastic. I have modified one wing and left the other to show the difference. 

21/11/11
Lower wing build complete including undercarriage bays. Just needs top surfaces bonding on and I can start joining it to the fuselage. 


4/11/11
Top surfaces bonded on and joined to fuselage.

Engine check fitted to assy.

Control surfaces assembled.

Gun blisters modified from original moulding for accuracy. The blisters were modelled wrong in the kit so a bit of fettling was needed.

This is what the blisters looked like before. You can buy resin alternatives but I prefer to do stuff myself.

23/12/11
Photoetch parts fitted to the Rad Ducts

Ready for paint.

Panel lines highlighted before first coat.

28/12/11
Aluminium base coat applied. I will apply very small dabs of latex masking paint to stone chip prone areas of the wings and fuselage and when the final colours are sprayed this will be rubbed off to expose aluminium chips on those areas giving a flaked / chipped effect.

5/1/12
Lower surface and associated parts sprayed. I have rubbed off the latex mask that I applied on the silver to have the flaked / chipped paint effect.

11/1/12
Getting close to painting the camo on now. I've decided to go real authentic and use rubber matting like they used in the war to spray the camo shapes on with. I'm going to just tack the shapes on so the edges aren't secure so it creates a soft edge when it's sprayed with the airbrush.

16/1/12
Ghosting the camo for grey paint application so I know roughly where to cover.

Masks worked really well. Happy with the finish. Looking more like a Spit now.

26/1/12
I don't do big decals so I prefer to spray larger insignia on with airbrush. I have made my own stencils and am in the process of spraying on the ID and Roundels on to the aircraft. This way I can see all the detail rather than covering it up with a decal. It looks more realistic too IMO.


1/2/12
All insignia stencil painted. It can be a bit tricky but with a bit of patience it can be a nice finish.








5/5/12
Back again. Had a lot on just lately so not much progress. Back on it now though.



5/6/12
All decals now fitted. 




25/6/12

All finished

Seconded - looks brilliant.

Surprised you need to scratch build the wiring though...I thought it had all the detail as standard?

put me on the "great looking model, very fine workmanship" list too

'cos it is

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm really trying my hardest with this model and want it to be as realistic as poss.
Think it will be hard to know where to stop the detail in the engine bay as there are so many wires in it it's hard to know which direction they are going. :0)

Thanks

Will have more pics as soon as i've finished the pipework and looms on the engine.

Lovely stuff.

Tamiya have just brought out a 1/32 P-51 now as well.

New pics on first post.

Engine finished, just needs a few touch ups in places.

Outer structure and exhaust now fitted. Pics on 1st post.

Blimey, I would expect that to start up and fly.

More pics added on first post.