This is Tamiya’s 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I that I finished today for the Spitfire and BoB GB. She is done up in the markings of Wing Commander Bob Doe, 234 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. This aircraft is the center piece in the painting “A Time For Heroes” by Robert Taylor, seen below in my signature. Last year, my girlfriend bought me this print and since seeing it I have wanted a model in the same markings as the one in the painting. Painted with Gunze acrylics, markings are a combination of kit roundels, painted squadron codes, and homemade serial numbers. I left off the red tape gun port covers as the print doesn’t show them. I want to thank those who helped me with this one, namely Darren (Tango1), Aaron (sfcmac), Mark (ModelNerd), Greg (gzt), hope I didn’t miss anyone!
Very nice work, buddy! The weathering, especially underneath, looks flawless. You definitely have a knack for knowing how much weathering is ‘just right’ without overdoing it. It really brings your models to life. I always look forward to seeing your latest works - I’m always awed by your skills, my friend! [bow]
Amazing. Simply amazing. Frank I can’t believe that is a 1/48th scale model. Everything looks so… right. The antennas are outstanding! Great work on this one.
Excellent work, Frank, with, as others have said, just the right amount of weathering. One small point, though - were these particular aircraft fitted with IFF aerials running from the fuselage sides to the tips of the tailplanes? Most BoB-era british fighters were, but there were exceptions.
Many thanks fellas! I appreciate your feedback. It means a lot coming from you guys. [^]
Chris- As for the IFF aerials, I am not certain that these aircraft had them but the print looks as if they are probably there. To be honest, there were a few discrepancies between the print and reference photos, so I made a couple of minor changes that made it a little more historically accurate. [tup]
Frank - That’s fantastic buddy! [tup] You did a superb job on the undersides and the upper finish is spot on. Beauty work on the IFF arials too, great to see one with them on! [:D]
Looks great! I built the same kit a couple of months ago. I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind.
What did you use for the radio antenna wire?
And how do you get your decals to snug so well into the panel lines? I used Microsol but still didn’t get the decal to conform well enough for my sludge wash to show up on the decals.
Thank you everyone for leaving me feedback! I am very happy that you approve of her, I am very excited to have it in my case. [:D]
Tom- For the antennas, I used 2 lb. test fishing line, colored black with a sharpie marker. On the decals, I used mostly the kit decals. To get them down into the panel lines, I first soak the decal in very warm water-seems to help Tamiya decals soften better. I put down a coat of Micro-Set before the decal, then more on top of it. After it soaks in that for awhile, I pat it down to the surface as much as possible. Then, a coat of Micro-Sol and let it sit overnight. Then, I use a brand new no.11 blade to slice the decal along the panel line. A little Gunze Mr. Softer flowed into the panel lines really pulls them down tight. I find that often times I have to repeat the slicing and Mr. Softer many times to get the look I want. HTH! [tup]
