1/32 Tamiya Spitfire Mk VIII RAAF

[cib2265]

Wouldn't you if you're flying a Spitfire?

[BloorwestSiR]

Nice progress Chris. I'm impressed by the pilot too. My figure painting skills are still a work in progress.

 

As you noticed, you do need the cylinder banks to hold the framing in place. You can leave the intercooler and the lower tank off though. Here's what the Merlin in my Grey Nurse VIII looks like:

 

 

 

Hope that helps you on your next build.

 

Carl

[cib2265]

Thanks Carl, yes I'll definitely do that next time (still have a XVI and IX to do), also will likely put a micro motor in there to spin the prop too. Should fit between the cylinder banks.

 

When I get around to the Mk XII conversion, I'll have a spare complete Merlin to play with  - its a solid resin nose bolted to the front - so I'm looking forward to super detailing one...

[Shaka HI]

That figure looks fantastic! Very well done.

[cib2265]

Thanks - its only styrene, I'm slowly building my way up to resin pilots as I get a bit more confident with my pilot painting.

 

I've started the NMF experiments. This is the underside of the SR-71, using 3 primers (Stynlrez grey, Mr Metallic Chrome (kind of like RAF High Speed Silver) and Tamiya X-1 Gloss black) and 7 Alclad aluminium types, plus a second batch with marbling in between (a very dark mix of Extra Dark Sea Gray and Midnight Blue) to try to get some variation in the paint.

 

 

Once the weather clears a bit here I'll put the Alclads down and work out which way to go....

[cib2265]

Whoops ive been slacked and haven't uploaded - Im 99% done, just need to add the spinner and pitot tube and repaint the wheel well doors. Here's some more WIP pictures, and then I'll put the finished ones up in the gallery.

Gloss black - Gunze GX2 on most surfaces 


Underside done first:


Different panels done in airframe/duralinium Alclads - you can see some of the preshading still coming through here:

Whole topside down too:


Other angle you can see different panel shades:


Polished aluminium added now:


White tail, leading edge, antiglare panel and markings on - this is all done with masks, no decals:


Antislip added and chipped, some touch up done too:

[Urs]

No troubles with Alclad and masking? Did you seal the Alclad prior airbrushing the national isignia?

[dennismcc]

No troubles with Alclad and masking? Did you seal the Alclad prior airbrushing the national isignia?

That's what bothers me as I always use masks but I would worry about applying them on an NMF finish, the build looks absolutely great by the way, love the pilot.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[cib2265]

Thanks - no i didnt seal before using the masks and I did have some of the metallics lift off. I was able to fix it all, but I would add a clear layer next time for sure.