KallistiUK Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 This is another in my series of builds "Aircraft my Father Fixed". Up to now I've built mostly the aircraft my Father worked on while in Burma in the latter half of WWII while attached to 5 Squadron. Before that he was with 81 Squadron from their entry into Operation Torch at Gibraltar Oct '42 up until Sicily had been pacified in Oct-Nov1943 whereupon he was transferred to Cairo en-route to India and 5 Squadron. Funnily enough, 81 Squadron followed his his wake a couple of weeks later and ended up based 5 miles down the road in India, re-equipping with Spitfire VIII, hence why we have a Christmas dinner menu from 81 Sqn in 1943 in my father's effects. Anyway, back to Tunisia in the spring/summer of 1943. Up to that point, the squadron had been equipped with Spitfire Vb Trop and Vc Trop (hence my earlier abortive attempt to convert the Hobbyboss Vb Trop to a Vc Trop), however these were beginnign to be outmatched by the German aircraft. The Tropical filters used on the V series had an unfortunate side-effect of reducing overall performance of the engine. So in May '43 81 Sqn started receiving Spitfire IXs. At this point they were based in Tunisia at Souk-el-Khemis airfield and subsequently moved to other airfields in the general vicinity. From reading Alan Peart's book "From North Africa to the Arakan" you get to see that conditions on these airfields were basic to say the least. So I want to try to capture a snapshot of the activity of the groundcrew in these conditions in my diorama. Build thread viewable here So here are the photos of the finished build: Made it in time for the Farnborough club meet tomorrow! Phew! lawman56 and Lud13 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick32 Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Now that i like! I really enjoyed your WIP thread, and the end result is stunning. Looks just right to me eyes. Thanks for sharing, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reconspit Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 My i congratulate on that perfectly finished Spit...? Awesome diorama...., so cool, great...:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Dollar Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I love it. That's a sterling job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KallistiUK Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Just made the shocking discovery that I have forgotten to put the tail fin flash on! This was supposed to be a mask so I could fade the paint but I had so much trouble with the fuselage roundel that I must have forgotten the tail completely! I've got the kit decals left but the annoying thing is there's been a coat of Matt varnish sprayed... Sigh, another senior moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennismcc Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Don't panic we all have senior moments ! The diorama looks great, and I really like the faded and dusty finish, perfect. Cheers Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Nicely done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz826 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Very nice Spitfire! Really enjoyed the WIP thread as well. Awesome job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Looks terrific mate, even with the missing fin flashes. With or without them, I'd love to publish it on the website. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Fantastic build and diorama. Very Impressive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamme Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Really nice duo. Congrats, Jamme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KallistiUK Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Thanks everyone, the fin flashes went on okay in the end and the completed dio was on display at IPMS Farnborough meeting this evening. I'll try to get some photos done with the fin flashes asap. LSP_Kevin, I would be honoured to have it published on the website, what do you need from me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 LSP_Kevin, I would be honoured to have it published on the website, what do you need from me? Cool, thanks! I just need your full name so I can credit the article properly. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KallistiUK Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Full name is Andrew Prentis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Thanks Andrew. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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