BOB,Tamiya 1/48th Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1, RAF, May 1940
Flt Lt. Robert Stanford-Tuck was assigned this aircraft during the Dunkirk operation. On 23 May, Tuck opened his scoring by shooting down 2 Bf-110's and a 3rd aircraft later that day. The following day flying N3249, he shot down 2 Do-17's to achieve ace status. Being the first pilot to achieve ace status in the Spitfire. In his book,Flying for Your Life" N3249 is specifically mentioned. By the time the Dunkirk evacuation was completed on 3 June 1940, he and 2 other pilots had become aces.
Not going to debate what was the greatest fighter in history as everyone has their opinion and favorites. Just simply it was a great plane, great design for a nation that needed it during desperate times early in WWII. The Tamiya kit is simple, easy to build and fun to build. Not over engineered, enough detail to represent the Spitfire in all it's splendor. This was one of my projects to start for 2014 way back when. So when the BOB was announced right after the D-Day GB, I had already started the project but put it aside while building the P-47 for the D-Day GB. Then resuming it once the P-47 was completed. I had always wanted to do an early Spit in the Black/White under surface scheme that was used circa 1940. The Victory Production wonderful set of decals that represent over 40 different schemes is an amazing sheet. I chose A/C #5, Tuck's Mk.1, during the Dunkirk Op, in the Dk Earth/Dk Green over the Black/White scheme. I did lose the "P" that should be on the LH side of the fuselage and the bureau number on the RH side, because these decals really stick and settle pretty quickly even with a flood of AeroSet on the surface. A combination of the kit decals for the stencils and walkways along with Victory's specific markings for this were used. The kit decals looked thick on the sheet but were quite thin once they were applied to the airframe. I used Vallejo Black and Polly Scale White for the undersurfaces, Tamiya Dk Green and Aeromaster RAF Dk Earth scheme type "B" for the upper surface camo scheme. Lifecolor Flat clear which dries very flat for the final coat. Aeromaster interior Grey/Green was used for the cockpit interior, along with black and silver for the details. MM Burnt Metal was used for the exhausts, Alclad Steel for the struts and wheels. MM Steel for the wheel wells and intakes.
Thanks for viewing.
Chuck
Fly Navy
awesome! i read his book too, and it really makes you respect all the sacrifice and hardship that generation had to endure, and what they accomplished with what they had. your Spitfire is an excellent tribute to that - well done!
Thanks Ramon, appreciate the comment, yes they were amazing pilots to survive the onslaught of the Luftwaffe
Nice Spitfire and a very interesting article Chuck.
Thanks Bernd, also like to wish you good luck on your online hobby shop. Will check it out.
Thank you for your interest, Chuck, more flying and floating Navy stuff is on approach. 🙂
Good looking Spitfire, Chuck, nice photographs and an excellent, informative write-up, full marks!
Thank you George.
Very nice, I read "Fly for your Life" as a boy, and it had me utterly engrossed! I still think it one of the greatest books about flying, easily as good, if not better than "Reach for the Sky". Tuck had an amazing career, one wonders what his score may have been if he hadn't been shot down by AAA, but then again, maybe that saved his life?
Robert thanks, yes reading that book had a similar impact on me as well. As a youngster I joined the Military Book of the Month Club, got that book as well as several others, I may have been into model cars then, but reading about aviation was like being in the cockpit with them as they shared their adventures.
Awesome. Nice tribute to the greatest generation! Well done!
Yes Morne, thank you, and yes one can argue that may be the most significant generation in the 20th century. The advancement of flight and technology that took place during the war and right after.
Nice build Chuck, even a brief history lesson to boot.
I like the weathering subtle , nice pics too.
Well done Chuck.
Thanks Simon, appreciate the comments. So far I like how the Life Color Flat clear is performing, though maybe a little to flat. As a lot of these Spitfires and Hurricanes didn't last long enough to get really weathered due to attrition.
Good, subtle weathering Chuck. Very nicely done.
Thanks Al
Liked it Chuck. Looked good in the WIP thread. I think the Tamiya Mk 1 still looks like a contender to me. Well done Sir!
Thanks Gregor, good kit was a joy to build. Nice to do one with very little challenges. Not over engineered and fussy. I am now working on Tam's Mk.Vb, kit #33, I will do a clipped wing version. Again will select markings from the Victory decal sheet, Will post the WIP on that shortly.
Lovely Spit Chuck, the finish and weathering look just right. I will say the panel lines on the background piece look overscale and much to dark.. 😉
Yeah Rick, thanks the old workshop could use a bit of a make over I guess.
Good to see you got her finished, Chuck! Love the weathering...
Thanks Jaime, your Spitfire was splendid as well. Nicely done.
I was always intrigued by the black & white paint scheme on the belly. Nice job.