Tamiya Spitfire Mk.XVIe 1/32 – An Aircraft Against Tyranny
The Aircraft.
Built by a German who loves the aircraft that kept us from wearing uniforms and doing parades from morning to nightfall. An aircraft against barbarism and tyranny. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. A design object with perfect proportions, slender, lissom, a poem of an aircraft, filled to the brim with fame. Medium sea grey, dark sea grey, dark green, classic RAF set-up.
The Model.
Yes, another Tamiya 1/32 Spitfire. All is said.
I wanted the paint to be as flat as possible. Testors Model Master plus some very thin layers of Revell Nr. 2.
Decent weathering, still far from the junk yard side of the line. The complete absence of glossy coats inhibits extensive use of washes as excess material could not be polished off. Therefore dark and brown dirt have been sprayed alongside the joints. Not one decal. All numbers and signs are sprayed using the amazing masks from Montex.
The Build.
Two months, some hours per day. My first model since twenty years. A trial still, the good one is yet to come. Charles Whall’s and Chris Wauchop’s models have been the inspiration.
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
bob mack said on April 28, 2014
awesome piece of work
Richard Hanson said on April 28, 2014
As an avid Spitfire fan, superb. Amazed that you can paint the roundels/markings instead of decals. I like the finish as it isn’t ‘over weathered’. One Question – what paint did you use for the ‘cockpit green’? One Request – If the best is yet to come please make the next one without the clipped wings!
Johannes Gerl said on April 28, 2014
Thx, Richard. The cockpit green is Model Master 20761.
Placed an order for a Mk.VIII today … desert camouflage and no wing clipping.
Seamus Boughe said on April 28, 2014
Beautiful Spitfire Halvar. I used Montex Masks on my Spitfire Mk.II and I doubt I will ever go back to using decals.
Bryan W. Bernart said on April 28, 2014
Gorgeous work. 20 year lay-off? Can’t tell by looking.
Not sure I’d fly her as the ailerons might operate differently than expected.
Need to find the Montex man. Impressive.
Paul Wilsford said on April 28, 2014
Outstanding!!!!!
Craig Abrahamson said on April 28, 2014
You definitely haven’t lost your touch, sir…a stellar piece of workmanship AND photography.
Gregor d said on April 29, 2014
Nice!
Jack Mugan said on April 29, 2014
You’ve got to love a Spit well built. Really beautiful.
Rob Pollock said on April 29, 2014
Lovely build, Halvar. Nicely photographed, too.
Simon Whitney said on April 29, 2014
Beautiful, a nice looking Spitfire.
It shows that you have not lost your touch.
Well done sir.
Mark Housley said on April 29, 2014
Lovely Build Halvar,
Tom Cleaver said on April 29, 2014
That pilot’s going to get a 10 Pound fine for leaving the flaps down after shutdown. 🙂
Nothing like diving into the deep end of the pool for a return to the hobby. Nice work.
Mike Maynard said on April 30, 2014
Nice clean build.
George Williams said on May 1, 2014
OK, I give in, the Spitfire does look beautiful! But I still prefer the Hurricane……..
Frank Cronin said on May 4, 2014
Halvar,
Absolutely gorgeous. I can’t wait to see more of your skills.
Robert Joseph Cookson said on May 13, 2014
beautifully built, and beautifully written up.
a first rate effort all round. well done Halvar.
Johannes Gerl said on May 14, 2014
Many thx, Robert. Love to read that.
Robert Joseph Cookson said on May 15, 2014
Halvar – you are very welcome !
“…An aircraft against barbarism and tyranny. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. A design object with perfect proportions, slender, lissom, a poem of an aircraft, filled to the brim with fame…”
Now that is my kind of aircraft review ! (I wish I had written it !)
Rob
Robert Joseph Cookson said on May 17, 2014
Hello again Halvar
I did reply to your message, but I’m not sure if it made it through. (I sent it from my phone whilst I was at work, and it may have got lost)
Rob
HalvarvonFlake said on May 18, 2014
Not through, Rob. Sorry.
Bernd Müller said on June 29, 2014
Hi Halvar absolutely stunning,especially with this Montex masks !
All the Best
Bernd
Johannes Gerl said on July 2, 2014
Thanks, Bernd.
The only thing that troubles me a bit with masks in general is that it’s fairly difficult to get the roundels concentrically aligned. Very tricky.
Bernd Müller said on July 2, 2014
Hi Halvar, yes that is tricky, i guess, it is like the Eduard masks
for the canopys, to get them correctly on is also a challenge,
especially in 1/72.
Bernd
Juan Benitez said on June 29, 2014
I have this kit in my stash and I have moved it up to the top…..once we move to a new home…..but what a beautiful build of a beuatiful plane! Well done!
Johannes Gerl said on July 2, 2014
Thanks, Juan. I like your recent 109 as much as you like my Spitfire.