*** 1/32 Kotare Spitfire Mk.Ia "Brian Lane" COMPLETE ***

[Hoss FL]

Well, I'm back to 1/32 after a few armor projects and several 1/48 kits. I picked this kit up this summer and am really looking forward to the build. 

 

 

The plan is to build it completely out of the box with no aftermarket and I think the kit has all the detail needed for an excellent rendition of this bird. 

 

 

This is the one marking option, but the subject is very well researched. The instructions are very detailed with photos and historical tidbits. A fun build experience so far. 

 

I just got started on the cockpit and will post updates along the way. 

Edited January 14 by Hoss FL
Complete

[Uncarina]

Great choice! I’d be curious to see your take on whether the spinner was actually white not yellow.

 

 

Cheers,  Tom

Edited December 20, 2023 by Uncarina

[Dave J]

You won't be disappointed with this kit. I built the Mid boxing a few months back and am currently building the Brian Lane boxing too, just about to sit down and start applying decals. I have posted the first part of the build on YouTube if you are interested.

14 minutes ago, Uncarina said:

Great choice! I’d be curious to see your take on whether the spinner was actually white not yellow.

Cheers,  Tom

 

I've gone with a yellow spinner.

[spyrosjzmichos]

Good choice Dave! Looking forward to your first pics!

[dennismcc]

Just sitting here waiting for Royal Mail to deliver my Kotare Spitfire (early), so will be interested to see this one progresses.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

Edited December 20, 2023 by dennismcc

[MikeMaben]

Have fun Jim 

[Biggles87]

I read Brian Lane’s book “ Spitfire “ a few years ago and was greatly impressed so I’ll be following this also.

 

John

Edited December 24, 2023 by Biggles87

[geedubelyer]

Re: the spinner colour. The image above would suggest white given the difference in tone between the spinner and prop tips/fuselage roundel outer ring but why not sky?

Edited December 24, 2023 by geedubelyer

[Uncarina]

6 hours ago, geedubelyer said:

Re: the spinner colour. The image above would suggest white given the difference in tone between the spinner and prop tips/fuselage roundel outer ring but why not sky?

I hadn’t thought of that! 

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Hoss FL]

Thanks for all the comments. I'm really enjoying the build so far. The spinner color is definitely intriguing based on the photos. Hmm. 

 

As for progress, I've completed most of the main and detail painting in the cockpit. 

 

I followed the painting guide pretty closely using Tamiya and Mr. Color paints. 

 

The base color is a mix of C364 Cockpit gray-green and C319 light green, which is supposed to be "Supermarine Green" or the "apple green" shade. 

 

 

I applied some highlights to the raised areas using a lighter mix of the same color. 

 

I like the color scheme in the painting guide, which provides nice variation across the different colors. The center panel of the IP is XF-1 flat black and the outer portion is XF 85 rubber black. 

 

The armor plating and seat frame (not shown in this photo) is C364 straight from the bottle. The headrest is nato black. 

 

The voltage regulator is rubber black. 

 

I'm using the molded seatbelt option and think it will look OK. I thinned the portion of the belts that extend above the seat into the slot on the armor plate so they are more in scale. Based on the photos, I have a little clean up to do. Tamiya buff for the seat belts, X31 and X34 mix for the brass hardware, XF85 rubber black for seats, XF69 nato black for the padding on the seat. 

 

The cockpit floor is nicely detailed. 

 

 

The control column and rudder pedals have excellent detail. 

 

I'm really happy with the kit so far. Next step is gloss coat and then decals, followed by a wash and some weathering. 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

[Uncarina]

That is a great start to the cockpit! I like the Kotare color choices as well, and the instructions are really helpful with this. I used the molded belts as well and used a dark wash to make the details pop and make them appear separate from the seat. I’m looking forward to seeing your build progress.

 

Happy Holidays,  Tom

[Biggles87]

I like your interpretation of ‘ apple green’.

The circular item on the starboard wall below the remote contacted was a hand held calculator ( TAS I think ) which clipped in there when not in use and should be white.

 

John

[mozart]

A very precise start, looks almost CGI with your photography! Must admit I’ve always thought the yellow spinner looks very wrong, I’d go with sky too. 

[19squadron]

19 squadron were known for painting spinners white - there are pics of "b" winged cannon-armed aircraft issued in july 1940 that had the spinner painted white, so were that so on P9386 it would not be without precedent. However this aircraft had come from a training unit where yellow was the common colour in such units.

Edited December 25, 2023 by 19squadron
addition of pic

[J.J.]

IMO the spinner is too light to be yellow (compared to the yellow of the roundel) and too dark to be white (compared to the white of the roundel and fin flash). I find it likely that it is sky or something similar. We will never find out anyway.

 

Jens