1/32 Tamyia - Supermarine Spitfire IXc EN315 ZX6

[Boch]

Hello everyone,

 

With the end of winter, I finished work on the model.

 

First of all, before I invite you to the next part, I would like to thank you all once again. For normality, for motivating, cheering, for creating a place full of inspiration, where you can learn and spread your wings.

So thank you all for your advice, presence and any comments.

 

Special thanks to my friends. Tomek, who, as an outstanding modeler, artist and expert on the subject, provides me with substantive support and without whose valuable advice this project would certainly never have reached such a final. I also thank him for the surprise in the form of a logo that I received during the preparation of EN315 photos. Thanks also to Ewa, who, although she had never been interested in modeling before, listened to my endless reports from the workshop with patience and always believed that the next challenges would have a happy ending.

 

I invite you to a short summary of PFT's activities, the built Spitfire and the work on the model itself.

 

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Summary of the activities of "Circus Skalski"

 

In less than two months, during which the Poles fought in Africa, they managed to shoot down 25 enemy planes. None of the Spitfire units assigned to the 244th Wing had such a record. The most effective was 145 Squadron, which in the same period of time, claimed 22 kills. In total, the entire wing reported the destruction of 100 enemy aircraft, i.e. the Poles, who constituted the seventh part, after the arrival of the Canadians from 417 Squadron, the ninth part of the wing, reported 25% of the destruction of the entire unit. Undoubtedly, it was a great success of the Polish unit.

The most effective PFT pilot was Eugniesziusz Horbaczewski with five enemy aircraft destroyed. Thanks to his stay in Africa, he became one of the aces. In the entire 244th Wing, only the commanders of the 145th and 601st Squadrons were more effective than him, who, in addition to five kills, also reported probable kills and damage to enemy machines. The next most effective Poles are Skalski, eighth with the result (3-0-1). Król, Sporny and Sztramko won three times each and took 9-12 places. Popek (2-0-1) in position 16-17. In the entire wing, there were 53 pilots who won at least one victory, including 12 Poles.

During the campaign, the Poles flew 545 sorties in 618 hours and 35 minutes, and 155 non-operational sorties in 72 hours and 45 minutes. Skalski (41 flights), Machowiak and Kowalski (40 flights) and Sporny (39) were the most frequently used.

 

 

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Summary of Spitfire EN315 activity

Spitfire in the IXc variant, with the Merlin 61 engine. Produced in January 1943, it was to have an extremely colorful, though short history.

The plane was flown by, among others: Horbaczewski, Bohdan Arct, Kazek Sporny, Mieczysław Wyszkowski, Mieczysław Popek and of course Stach Skalski.
The first PFT flight, the Spitfire EN 315, took place on March 24. The flight was made by Majchrzyk.

The farewell, i.e. the last flight within this formation, took place on May 20, 1943, the flight from Hergel to Ben Gardane, with Stanisław Skalski sitting at the controls.
In the meantime, the aircraft made about 75 sorties, which, taking into account less than two months, is an extremely intense time.

During the fights over Africa, the Poles scored a total of six confirmed kills by the Spitfire EN315 ZX6, including 5x Bf-109 and 1x Mc. 202. Two possible kills, including 1x Bf-109 and 1x Mc. 202 and two damaged, both Bf-109.

 

Wins achieved on this machine:

April 2, 1943 - Horbaczewski - Bf-109 confirmed
April 4, 1943 - Skalski - Bf-109 confirmed
04/06/1943 - Wyszkowski - Bf-109 probable
April 8, 1943 - Popek - Bf-109 damaged
18/04/1943 - Arct - Mc.202 probable
04/20/1943 - Arct - Bf-109 confirmed
04/21/1943 - Arct - Bf-109 damaged
04/22/1943 - Horbaczewski - 2x Bf-109 confirmed
April 28, 1943 - Popek - Mc. 202 - confirmed

 

If anyone wants to take a look at the detailed history of EN315 fights, you can find it in the workshop at this link:

Workshop with history

 

One can be tempted to say that this is an extraordinary aircraft in the history of Polish forces in World War II, certainly one of the most distinguished. As can be seen from the statistics, the aircraft made several percent of the flights of the entire unit.

After the events in Africa, the EN315 soon met its fate in Malta, where it was lost in July 1943.

 

 

 

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Workshop summary

The model shows the machine during the period of PFT operations in Africa, in the spring of 1943. Aircraft with side designation ZX6.

I can basically say that I spent the winter with this project, because I started work on December 16, 2022. During this time, I performed smaller or larger activities almost every day. So it's hard for me to convert it into hours, but I think it was around 150.

 

The assumption I made was the feeling that I didn't do anything in a hurry and with great care. I wanted to put all the commitment I could afford into this project. An important stage of construction was the second Spitfire assembled quickly (Hobbby2000 1/32), which served as a testing ground for many solutions, chemistry, painting effects, etc. This simple procedure turned out to be a hit and I will definitely reach for similar solutions in future projects.

 

If anyone wants to take a look at the individual stages and the workshop, the whole thing is at the link:

Workshop

 

Model Tamyia Spitfire IXc in 1/32 scale. In addition to the model itself, I used resin additives and other aftermarket ones:

 

- Board
- Barrels
- Wheels
- Cab door
- Masks
- Engine plates

 

The model was painted with Tamyia and Gunze paints, and then oiled with Abteilung and watercolor pencils brands AK and Faber Castell.
Lots of parts, but very good fitting, extraordinary accuracy and beautiful detailing. The model is definitely worth recommending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best regards

Lukasz

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by Boch

[chuck540z3]

I followed your build a few months ago when you were doing all sorts of extensive layered painting.  I thought you had gone way too far and sort of lost interest.  I shouldn't have, because this model is stunning and I was dead wrong.  Most of the Spitfires built in these forums are the typical green ones used in northern Europe, with the odd African theater Spit every once in awhile.  This is one of the nicest African Spitfires I have ever seen.  Like your photo above of the real Spitfires, this model looks weathered, dull and dusty, just like it should.  You can tell that you meticulously labored over every single tiny weathering detail with a passion, just like your historical research to go with it.  Bravo!  You have a real gem here to be proud of.

 

Cheers,

Chuck

[Rod Bettencourt]

WOW that looks fantastic! I am with Chuck in that is the best African campaign spitfire I have seen also. fantastic scale effect, put that in sun light and I believe would look 1:1. Thanks for sharing.

 

Rod

[Boch]

4 hours ago, chuck540z3 said:

I followed your build a few months ago when you were doing all sorts of extensive layered painting.  I thought you had gone way too far and sort of lost interest.  I shouldn't have, because this model is stunning and I was dead wrong.  Most of the Spitfires built in these forums are the typical green ones used in northern Europe, with the odd African theater Spit every once in awhile.  This is one of the nicest African Spitfires I have ever seen.  Like your photo above of the real Spitfires, this model looks weathered, dull and dusty, just like it should.  You can tell that you meticulously labored over every single tiny weathering detail with a passion, just like your historical research to go with it.  Bravo!  You have a real gem here to be proud of.

 

Cheers,

Chuck

I do not know what to say. Thank you very much. That's a really big compliment.

 

 

4 hours ago, Rod Bettencourt said:

WOW that looks fantastic! I am with Chuck in that is the best African campaign spitfire I have seen also. fantastic scale effect, put that in sun light and I believe would look 1:1. Thanks for sharing.

 

Rod

Thank you Rod, I'm very pleased that you like the whole work.

[MikeMaben]

That's a real beauty Lukasz.  Need a couple of pix with all the panels on the nose 

[Boch]

12 minutes ago, MikeMaben said:

That's a real beauty Lukasz.  Need a couple of pix with all the panels on the nose 

Thanks Mike. You supported me from the very beginning, thank you very much. As for the engine covers, unfortunately there are no side covers. Ultimately, I had an uncovered engine in the plan and that's why I valorized it with additions of my own production and a set of sheet metal from Edurard. It is true that I did the side panels, but only to make a smooth painting of the entire front section. Unfortunately, I can't mount them for the pictures, because Eduard's metal sheets prevent the whole assembly from fitting properly, there are small holes that I could force, but then I would have to seal the engine permanently.

[mozart]

A superb looking Spitfire Lukasz, the final result is worth every second of effort that you put into it. Like Chuck I will admit that I thought that you had lost your way with it at times but clearly I was wrong; you had the vision to know exactly what you wanted to achieve and how to go about it. Full of admiration Lukasz! 

[Greif8]

Stunningly beautiful build Lukasz!  I really enjoyed following your build thread seeing it take shape.  As a historian, I appreciate the history you have taken the time to research and write; and I think it adds life to the model and makes it a viable link to the past.  Well done on producing a true masterpiece!

 

Ernest

[Boch]

1 hour ago, mozart said:

A superb looking Spitfire Lukasz, the final result is worth every second of effort that you put into it. Like Chuck I will admit that I thought that you had lost your way with it at times but clearly I was wrong; you had the vision to know exactly what you wanted to achieve and how to go about it. Full of admiration Lukasz! 

Thanks a lot. It was really plasure.

 

1 hour ago, Greif8 said:

Stunningly beautiful build Lukasz!  I really enjoyed following your build thread seeing it take shape.  As a historian, I appreciate the history you have taken the time to research and write; and I think it adds life to the model and makes it a viable link to the past.  Well done on producing a true masterpiece!

 

Ernest

Thank you Ernest. Beautifully said about how history fills the model with life. Thank you for supporting me from the beginning.

[Stokey Pete]

I can only echo what’s already been said about this Lukasz, in that you’ve created a masterpiece of modelling with your Spitfire. Your meticulous attention to the minute details of the paintwork, coupled with the historical background, have truly brought your subject to life.

 

[Zola25]

Lukasz - This is one of the best finishes on a model I have seen on these forums and that is saying a lot.. I have been staring at your images for the past 30 minutes looking at all the details - just WOW!!

 

I really enjoyed the background / history part as well. Very nice way to introduce the finished model

 

/Niels

[Boch]

2 hours ago, Stokey Pete said:

I can only echo what’s already been said about this Lukasz, in that you’ve created a masterpiece of modelling with your Spitfire. Your meticulous attention to the minute details of the paintwork, coupled with the historical background, have truly brought your subject to life.

 

 

2 hours ago, Zola25 said:

Lukasz - This is one of the best finishes on a model I have seen on these forums and that is saying a lot.. I have been staring at your images for the past 30 minutes looking at all the details - just WOW!!

 

I really enjoyed the background / history part as well. Very nice way to introduce the finished model

 

/Niels

I appreciate it very much. Thank you.

[TankBuster]

I have to agree with others one of the best spitfires I have seen. that engine is just awesome, congrats. Cheers Bob.

[Tolga ULGUR]

Superb

This is a piece of art. 

[Rampenfest]

Beautifully done!