I would to present my recent project - ICM 1/48 Spitfire Mk.VIII from 452 Sqn. RAAF, flown by Flt.Lt Ron Cundy in mid 1944.
Building was rather straightforward except few fit problems (but easy to manage). Decals from AeroMaster sheet “Aussie Spitfires” Part 4.
Highly polished in real, to improve performance.
I was trying to reproduce Australian red earth dust on the underside of flaps and ailerons, but I’m not sure, I’ve succeed.
Here she is:
Enjoy!
Aleksander
Great job mate, always wondered how the ICM spits went together now I know. One question, what the cockpit like busy or a scratch builders heaven? As for the colour of the dust from northern Australian anything with a rust looking tinge is fine, it varies according to individual local’s and lighting. What you have looks a little pinkish. Another thing since alot of is dust try getting some fine pigment dust or artist pastals ground up in needed colour and applying with a medium to soft brush will make it look more soft edged & natural.
Andrew
(I knew Andrew would spot this one quickly!!!)
Aleksander - I love the Aussie green with white leading edges, very sharp looking & just a little different from the Spits we usually see. My only question would be if the oil streaking underneath may be a little too heavy, other than that it looks great! [Y]
Glad to hear there were few problems, I recently picked up ICM’s MkIX Spitfire & it looks great in the box.
Sweet!! [:D[
Excellent, love the paint job [H]
Thank you for your kind opinion. Actually, the pink dust is burnt siena color in real, so maybe pictures (or light during making photos) is the problem.
As for the model itself and the cockpit - looks good, but you have still some places to improve. Upper part of control column has wrong (nearly square) shape and needs rework. I had to make a hole in back armor plate to let harness pass through. There are no lever at the right side of the pilot seat (not a big problem to deal with). Rudder pedals are very simple and in the end I’ve changed them for Eduard PE parts.
From the other hand - if you decide to make the cockpit door open, you have to cut them out but you have doors as an extra part too. Other equipment looks sufficient as far as you don’t open the canopy. The rear mirror looks too big, but I’ve lost replacement (from Airfix Spitfire Mk. I/II) somewhere in the “carpet space”.
And if you plan NOT to open engine compartment, don’t install firewall (I scratchbuilt a new one - this green plate on the picture below, since I would to expose the engine on firewall separately, but I didn’t use it)) - you will have less problems joining wings with fuselage with right dihedral. I don’t recommend instalation of Merlin at all - don’t fit properly (see the photo). But to my surprise, other parts fit quite good. The only problem is the sort of plastic - quite soft and too easy to cut.
Generally - I recommend this model - cheap and correct replica of the late Merlin fighters
Thanks for the photos and information very helpfull. Asfor the installing or not installing the merlin, I’ve seen more than one build where the panels are closed and the engine displayed on a dolly or something next to the aircraft.
Andrew
Sorry almost forgot to ask, what the grass stuff your using? Looks so Australian with the green low and dead grass longer (very start of the wet season)
Andrew.
Aleksander, Thanks for the “kit review”. That will help when I’m trolling for the stash. Great looking work by the way. And that diorama base is nicely done. The grass looks like my drought struck Midwestern yard. Keep up the great work, thanks. Rick
Very nicely done and well presented. I have been looking at a few reviews of this plane, and all say the same about the fit arround the engine, sad really. But I am happy to see it can be turned into a good project afterall[:D]
The ICM P-51 had no fit problems at all, wonder what went wrong on the Spit’s moulds…
Seing your good results, I will have to pick one up soon!
Theuns
Actually, the grass is a ready mat bought in railroad model shop - I think it was made quite long ago still in East Germany. I improved it slighty with different light green shades sprayed with airbrush
Nicely done…
Thanks Aleksander
Andrew