Shelf of Doom Pt 2 Eduard Spitfire FR IX
This is another testament to my bad choices! 30 months ago, when I still lived in the UK, I very happily surveyed the contents of the highly praised Eduard Spitfire MkIX profipack. It was due to be my second build upon returning to the hobby. I began work on it in after having arrived in Australia, primed it and coated it in a rattle can full of misery that made it turn a nasty shade of pink (not quite bubble-gum but super shiny for sure)! It narrowly missed a rapid trip to the dump.
I came across Mr Paint 'WW2 RAF PRU Pink' as I searched for some other colours and thought that I should at some point open the box again and resurrect the build. I already had Barracuda resin Camera set and decals, and a pair of Czech Master Brass Hispano 20mm Cannons. It was either get another kit or try to revive the one I had.
Fighter reconnaissance versions of the MkIX were at Normandy and Red X is a popular subject for modellers. As most will know they flew relatively low, and the pink (off-white) colour was useful against back-drops of cloud during dusk and dawn. They did account for a number of Me109s while out taking photos.
I'm not sure I made the best job of what is head and shoulders the best kit I've met since coming back to the hobby, I could certainly have reduced the rivets (these were often pared back to help with speed). I'd certainly sing the praises of Mr Paint. I think the colour and mild semi-gloss finish are good (PR Spits were often polished to get some extra speed - and it is said to have worked) and it went on really well out of the bottle.
Anyway from where it was to where it is I can't be anything but happy in a relieved way. Hopefully I won't return to the self-inflicted area of the shelf of doom in the near future...
Paul, I think it came out very well. I have to admit I never cared much for the pink scheme, however this looks really nice and I appreciate the info on why they used this color. I haven't built any MK IXs yet, but I might, and after seeing this I may actually consider doing one.
Thank you Terry - I had a built some significantly older kits recently - this was the first really 'modern' kit I had built - the difference was huge. I'd recommend it to anyone - it has quite a lot of parts, the detail is great, the fit is good and the extras in the Profipack really enhance and help the build - some resin - some masks. I think they have just rereleased it. I'm still in early development as a modeller (despite my age) - but this was the first kit I have really enjoyed in terms of working with a higher quality tool.
Paul, that's a cool idea to put up a linen bag (?) as a backdrop. The photos look great.
Hi Johannes - it is a 'throw' from one of our sofas - I thought it would be better than our book-shelves as a background!
Another fine work!
You mentioned "polished to get some extra speed – and it is said to have worked." When my Dad flew fighters during WWII he mentioned that they tried washing & waxing their planes because they could get an additional 5-10 mph or about 8-16 kph out of the plane. However, he said they doidn't do it often because the time spent washing/waxing wasn't worth the few mph/kph of speed.
It works ... if you care to spend the extra hours needed!
Thanks Jeffry for that brilliant first-hand insight! From what I read it was a strategy with the early PR spitfires which were pretty much stripped (no radio gear etc), and carried no armament. Panel lines were filled and the paint was of a type that could be highly polished. In some cases the heavy reinforced glass was removed to allow more photographic equipment. These changes overall probably added little more speed. Without weapons photo-recce pilots probably felt any advantage could be a life-saver! The FR IX was not so different to a Mk IX with a camera inserted where some of the radio equipment went. It would be interesting to know if they were treated in any way to increase speed, outside of obvious engine differences to earlier variants.
Nice job Paul, whose to say a plane can't be pretty in pink.
Yet another "doomed" build that thanks you for your "second thoughts" regarding its' fate. Good job, my friend. 🙂
Paul, I have always loved that scheme, it just is so different. That is a great kit to do it with. I didn't know Barracuda had the camera, thanks for the tip on that. So many aftermarket items, it's hard to keep up.
Really good work, I can just imagine what the previous bubblegum pink must have looked like! I seem to recall that the LRDG painted some of their vehicles pink in the Western Desert. And the SAS later on.
Another very nice kit. I love the subtle show-through of the stripes under the wings. I'd never considered that scheme as one I'd do, but I've got several spits in the stash, and that is definitely a unique look - I think I'll go for it eventually.
Looks like you pulled out a tough build successfully, Paul. Nicely done and gives an education while you're at it.
But I have to say, with a pink paint scheme, did you expect a bed of roses? 🙂 (OK, that was a cheap shot but I couldn't resist...)
Great save!
Nice Spitfire - came out well against all troubles. I read an article about why these planes were pink and pilots felt insecure flying them (they thought they are well visible because of the colour). 🙂 I have a shelf of doom too - Your work may give me enough motivation to try to save some of them.
Nice looking Spitfire by any standard!