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Paulo Castro
33 articles

Spitfire MK XII – AIRFIX 1/48

September 2, 2016 · in Aviation · · 21 · 2.7K

For the first time in more than 25 years I've built an 1/48th scale model. My entire collection is on 72nd scale.

This was a Kris-Kringle present and I decided to build it despite not being my preferred scale.

So here we go! This new tooling kit is really very nicely done, excellent details and fine and crisp engraved panel lines. Also the fit is just perfect and I haven't use putty at all.

The decals has two options and I decided to do one flown by South Australian RAAF Flight Lieutnant Donald Smith. Don Smith was the Squadron Leader and it was his personal aircraft.

I've built it straight from the box, the only improvement I've made was a scratch built seat belts.
Painted with acrylics Tamiya.
Weathered using dry pastel chalks, watercolor pencils and some pigments.
Hope you like it.

Reader reactions:
5  Awesome

15 additional images. Click to enlarge.


21 responses

  1. Nicely done Paulo. What's not to like about a Spit? Your,s turn out very well.

  2. Lovely Spit - your weathering and detail work is very nice! The clipped-wing Spit just doesn't have the aura of the forebear... but a nice addition nonetheless!

  3. Excellent job Paulo, love it.

  4. Paulo, nice job, fills a niche in the Spitfire collection. We hope that they'll do a XIV/XVIII one of these days.

  5. Cool looking Spit.

  6. Splendid Spitfire! Authentic look. Dedicated workmanship. Realistic details. Fuel leakage - I like 🙂

    • Very good photos. Thank you for sharing.
  7. Apparently the 25-year hiatus had zero effect on your modeling talents, regardless of of the subject matter. A stellar example of your craftsmanship, sir.

  8. 🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
    Very authentic looking Spitfire, it is a variant not seen much.
    The weathering looks fine and not overdone. Nice work

    • Thanks mate!
      I like to make my models used and abused because I think that's the way it was. I just can't see maintenance crew cleaning the plane between sorties. They had better things to do.
      Cheers

  9. I think you've made the most of this kit without going over the top with aftermarket goodies, it does indeed look very authentic.

  10. Looks fabo. Great job. 🙂

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