Kotare 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Ia (Mid)

[Starfighter Jock]

 

 

Keeping this build just as it comes in the box and utilizing the kit decals.  My subject choice of the three different profiles offered by Kotare will be P9495 DW-K, 610 Squadron, June to July 1940.

 

[Starfighter Jock]

Laying some Tamiya AS-12 bare-metal silver (decanted from the spray can) as a base layer on several of the individual cockpit assemblies.  The detail provided by Kotare can be appreciated.  The IP has been base coated with some AK Nato Black, and once dry will get a coat of Aqua Gloss in prep for all the beautiful instruments and placards provided as decals.  Interestingly, Kotare has spelled out a Supermarine interior green for the immediate cockpit areas which is made up of Tamiya XF71 + X28.  I will be sticking with the suggested mix and applying this to the specified areas as indicated on the building manual.

 

KJ  (Kirk Johnston)

 

 

 

Edited April 1, 2023 by Starfighter Jock

[europapete]

The detail really pops with that silver

[Archimedes]

Great Start SJ! I will be following this build!

 

Kind regards,

Paul

[Starfighter Jock]

1 hour ago, Archimedes said:

Great Start SJ! I will be following this build!

 

Kind regards,

Paul

Thanks Paul, I am looking forward to just building a spectacular kit as it comes in the box.

KJ

[Uncarina]

Good start! You might like these:

https://topnotchmasks.com/shop/camo-masks/spitfire-mk-ia-dw-k/?attribute_scale=1%2F32

https://topnotchmasks.com/shop/insignia/spitfire-mk-ia-dw-k-2/?attribute_scale=1%2F32

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Starfighter Jock]

6 hours ago, Uncarina said:

Good start! You might like these:

https://topnotchmasks.com/shop/camo-masks/spitfire-mk-ia-dw-k/?attribute_scale=1%2F32

https://topnotchmasks.com/shop/insignia/spitfire-mk-ia-dw-k-2/?attribute_scale=1%2F32

 

Cheers,  Tom

Thanks Tom, camouflage masks will definitely be helpful.

KJ

 

 

[spartacus2000]

It looks like a nice kit KJ

I would have chosen the camouflage of the artbox, I really like the kiwy.
I will follow you closely.

[williamj]

[Woody V]

I'm interested in this kit and looking forward to this build. Nice start.

[Starfighter Jock]

Working on the cockpit in sub-assemblies, I decided to start applying a few of the 22 decals that get applied to the IP.  I also have changed what I was using as my base color of the panel.  Originally, I had applied a layer of AK Nato Black, but once dry I just was not happy with the overall finish.  For whatever reason, most likely operator error, the finish came out very grainy and rough.  Quick dip into some Tamiya laquear thinner and the paint was quickly removed.  Repainted now with Tamiya gloss black and the lower IP frame is the suggested paint mix by Kotare for Supermarine Interior Green, specifically, 2 parts XF-71 to 1 part X-28.  The instrument and placard decals as supplied by Kotare are very well registered but also extremely thin as I discovered when applying the first few.  Two of the instrument decals separated as I was attempting to move them into final position.  End result turned out not to bad and I believe the couple of instrument decals that separated on me will not be noticeable once the cockpit is all closed up in the fuselage.  So far, the decals are responding well to Micro Set and Micro Sol.  Have some touch up to do on the lower IP, some overspray leaked in under my masking, then some detail painting on the lower IP frame needs to be done.  After that, will continue on with finishing up the decal work on the IP.

 

KJ

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by Starfighter Jock

[dennismcc]

Looking good, still waiting for mine to arrive.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[RBrown]

That instrument panel certainly looks very realistic!

 

Here is a quote from Kotare regarding the cockpit colors for the early Spitfires:

 

"Interior areas were primed with light grey before being painted aluminium, except for the cockpit between frames 8 & 11 which was painted in a colour described as “Supermarine green” and “apple green”. Note that this is different from the paler, greyer, “Grey Green” (of which various colour mixes have additionally been noted) used on later production Spitfires built by other manufacturers."

 

 

 

[Starfighter Jock]

Decal Note:  Looking back on applying the instrument decals, the decal carrier film is so thin it is almost invisible on these smaller decals.  I started thinking that using Micro Set may have created the issue I had with a couple of the decals beginning to tear and separate as soon as I applied them to the surface.  So, "When all else fails, read the directions."  Sure enough, Kotare does not recommend using decal setting solutions with their decals. The next round of decals for the IP, I will just use warm water as recommended and skip using any setting solutions. Shall see how that goes. 

KJ

Edited April 10, 2023 by Starfighter Jock

[Starfighter Jock]

2 hours ago, RBrown said:

That instrument panel certainly looks very realistic!

 

Here is a quote from Kotare regarding the cockpit colors for the early Spitfires:

 

"Interior areas were primed with light grey before being painted aluminium, except for the cockpit between frames 8 & 11 which was painted in a colour described as “Supermarine green” and “apple green”. Note that this is different from the paler, greyer, “Grey Green” (of which various colour mixes have additionally been noted) used on later production Spitfires built by other manufacturers."

 

 

 

 

I had read that in the building manual too, why I decided to base coat the aluminum painted areas with Tamiya bare-metal silver.  Once I over coat these areas with a semi-gloss, it should take the shine out of the silver and look much more like aluminum paint. Hopefully anyway.

 

KJ