Achtung, Spitfire!
Sometime in mid-December of last year, while attending a meeting of the Brooklyn Plastic Modelers Society (my chapter of the IPMS), I came across this kit being sold 2nd hand for $25.00 with an Eduard photo-etch set and a Masters Productions horizontal tail stabilizer set thrown in. While I would not go as far as to say that this kit was a “sow’s ear”, it sure as heck was not a “Silk purse” either. I found it very reminiscent of a classic Monogram kit, correct in size and dimension, but needing a bit of work to bring it up to snuff. Why the hell not? Isn’t that what scale modeling is all about?
This build was a series of firsts for me. It was the first 1/32 kit I had built in over twenty years. It was the first time I re-scribed a whole fuselage as opposed to a line here and there. It was the first (and definitely the last) time I scribed 60+ “Dsus” fasteners around the cowling. It was the first time I used masks to paint the national insignias, code letters, serial numbers, fuselage band, fin flash, walkways, and gun covers. It was the first time decaling only took twenty minutes. Finally, it was the first time I ever posted any of my work on a web-site (six in all in the WIP section.
The only money I spent on this model was $8.00 for a Barracudacast resin upgrade set for the cockpit and $10.00 for a set of Montex painting masks. Everything else was either scratch-built or sourced from the spare parts bin. For a grand total of $43.00, I think this kit can hang in with any of these newer 1/32 kits which cost over $100.00. I am sold on 1/32 scale, but I think I will knock out a few 1/48 kits before attempting another 1/32.
22 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on October 19, 2013
Absolutely fantastic job all-around, sir...very nice work.
Erich Goldbach said on October 20, 2013
Well Seamus, all that time and work sure paid off... what a pearl of a Spitfire! Beautifully done all the way around. Those decal rivets you used around the wing/fuselage area look great and the time put into the “Dsus” fasteners and the painted on details paid off in Aces. You hit a homer with this for sure.
neil foster said on October 20, 2013
Fantastic job S, well worth the time taken.
N.
Bryan W. Bernart said on October 20, 2013
Was wondering where you had gone, and it's now all clear. Nicest looking Spit I've seen in a long while. Superior work, once again.
Simon Whitney said on October 20, 2013
Seamus , it
s a beaut sir . After reading the wips and now seeing it in all its glory, you have done yourselt very proud. Also the outlay shows that you do not have to spend $s to make a kit look good.Top marks.
George Williams said on October 20, 2013
Brilliant model, Seamus, you must be very pleased with the result after all that hard work. I really like the display base as well as the actual aircraft, it really sets it off
Jack Mugan said on October 20, 2013
Beautifully built and well displayed.
Stephen W Towle said on October 20, 2013
Now that's a Ten and a "Gold" trophy. Seamus, you may have spent 43.00 dollars on materials but, you've created a Gold Mine of viewing pleasure and have some real talent. The model looks like one of those kits done for a book on how to build a early Spitfire. Only your not using the latest and greatest in plastic.
Two thumbs up.
Paul Wilsford said on October 20, 2013
That's awesome Seamus. What kit is this?
roger fabrocini said on October 20, 2013
Perfect, just perfect
Robbo said on October 20, 2013
Great stuff, Seamus. Nice to see you don't need to invest 'super kit' money to achieve an accurate and accomplished build.
Seamus Boughe said on October 20, 2013
No respectable scale modeler should have to invest a large sum of money to achieve a great build. All one needs to invest is some time, patience, and a bit of work.
Nikola Pentić said on October 20, 2013
Very nice. I like the base too.
Mike Maynard said on October 20, 2013
The planes' pretty good but the cracked runway with the grass growing through it is pure genius! Also the pilot looks dapper in his flight suit but the casual toss of the white scarf is killer. It's the "little details" that, to me, make a great model an exceptional model and your model is exceptional.
Seamus Boughe said on October 20, 2013
Mike, it would seem that you and I are cut from the same cloth. I believe the Devil is in the details. That is probably why it takes me so long to complete something.
Seamus Boughe said on October 20, 2013
Thanks for all the kind comments, lads. By the way, this is Revell of Germany's 1/32 Spitfire Mk.I/II Kit #5516. It was released a long time ago and all it is, is the old Hasegawa 1/32 Spitfire Mk.V kit with a new set of wings, exhausts, and propeller. The wings have engraved panel lines while the panel lines on the fuselage are raised. This kit builds up nice OOB but as I am a Spitfire fanatic, I wanted to do it justice. Supposedly ROG were to have released an all new tooled 1/32 Spitfire Mk.II this past August to follow up their new 1/32 Bf109G-6, but so far I have not seen it yet. No matter, I entered my Spitfire in the Hudson Valley Historical Miniatures Guild Show yesterday where it took a 1st in it's category as well as the peoples choice award. Not bad for her first time out.
Tom Cleaver said on October 20, 2013
That kit dates from 1968. Knowing it pretty well, I am truly impressed with what you have accomplished here - a triumph of modeling skill and artistic talent. Just superb overall. And yes, the devil is in the details - take care of the details and the rest takes care of itself so long as you have a vision you're working towards.
Ulrich Schütt said on October 20, 2013
Wow! Very beautiful job! Those wheel cholks, awesome! Like some of the guys have mentioned before it's all in the details. Don't ask me why, but for some reason i miss a little white fox-terrier standing next to the pilot... looking up and wagging it's tail...
Seamus Boughe said on October 20, 2013
Funny you should mention a fox-terrier. I definitely wanted a dog sitting/standing next to the pilot. I looked high and low but could not find a dog in 1/32 scale. There were plenty of dogs in 1/35, but the size difference is way too noticeable. I am still looking for a good 1/32 dog as I can always add it to this build.
bob mack said on October 20, 2013
spectacular like everything you touch
Steven Davis said on October 20, 2013
Fantastic build, great paint, and weathering. Wow makes it a great investment!
Joe Caputo said on October 20, 2013
Gorgeous, just beautiful! I know we're on the same page, cost wise, but you're way ahead in the "putting it to good use" column. This is just a great build, no matter how much or how little was spent. Congrats.
Frank Cronin said on October 20, 2013
Seamus,
This has been well worth the wait. My hat is off to you. What a fabulous job you have done. I parrot every one of the above compliments you have received. Your first place award is well deserved.
Magnus Fridsell said on October 21, 2013
That's one absolutely great Spitfire!
Regards
Magnus
Korolev Vlad said on October 21, 2013
Beauty! I Like It!
Best regards, Vlad.
Gary Brantley said on October 21, 2013
Wow, she is a beaut Seamus! Well done sir. 🙂
John Healy said on October 23, 2013
Outstanding work Seamus! The pilot could stand alone as well. Well done!
Seamus Boughe said on October 23, 2013
As it is, the pilot is standing alone...but not for long. I finally found a 1/32 Irish Setter to keep my pilot company.
Tolga ULGUR said on October 26, 2013
Very nice built. This inspired me to start to my 1/32 Hasegawa MkII
Seamus Boughe said on October 26, 2013
I am glad I have inspired you Tolga. If you need any help with her, please feel free to drop me a line.
Rapid27 said on November 21, 2013
Hi Seamus,
Only one word... WHAOU!
Your wonderful Spitfire hurts my eyes...
Best regards, Eric from France
Paul van Acker said on June 19, 2014
Beautiful Spitfire. I agree, you can never have too many. 🙂
Derek Austin said on January 1, 2018
If you've been around the aviation modelling forums for a while you will have looked at a fair number of Spits of all sizes and marks. Few stand out but yours I will rmember for a very long time! It is a thing of beauty and not only a tribute to you and your skill but a worthy tribute to 'the few'. Many thanks for sharing.