Australian Ace of the Battle of Britain.
Here is a model of a Spitfire MkI flown by the top scoring Australian Ace pilot of the Battle of Britain.
His name was Paterson Clarence Hughes. He served with 234 Squadron RAF as a flight commander.
He shared his units first aerial victory on 8 July 1940 and he began scoring heavily against the Luftwaffe the following months. He was known for his practice of attacking his targets at extremely close range.
He was credited with as many as seventeen aerial victories during the Battle of Britain. One of his victims on the 5 September may have been Oberleutnant Franz Von Werra, the only Luftwaffe pilot to escape from captivity before being killed in action on 7 September 1940 after his Spitfire was struck by flying debris from a German Dornier Do17 bomber he had just shot down. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and was buried in England.
I used a Revell 1/32nd Spitfire Mk II kit. I know I had to do some conversion to this kit to convert it to a Mk I. But I didn't realise how much!
I modified the wing control surfaces from metal to fabric covered and sanded down the over done rib detail of the rudder and elevators. Next was the incorrect rear cockpit canopy glass which was far too short in length. I had to add front and rear frames to the glass. Next I had to correct the position and add the missing lumps and bumps on top of the engine cowling. The model has a later round intake Mk V oil cooler which is incorrect for a Mk I so I had to make a correctly shaped oil cooler by modifying the kit supplied Mk V round oil cooler. I used a left over Hasegawa 1/32nd Mk V kit propeller spinner, as the kit supplied one is far too short and I also used a left over carb. intake from the same Hasegawa kit as the intake part from the Revell kit is so small, more like the size of one for a 1/48th scale kit.
I used wheels, cockpit door and seat from Barracuda Cast and seat belts from RB Production.
The Revell kit itself go together very well with good fit but I was very disappointed with its accuracy and for a fairly new kit it has lots of flash on the small parts.
I used the kit decals for the roundels and stencils and hand painted the code letters. The serial numbers were from Ventura Decals.
I mixed Tamiya paints for the camouflage colours.
I used EZ line for the aerial wires.
I am very happy I now have a decent model of a 1/32nd Spitfire Mk I.
This is a wonderful model, Michael! Very nice extra jobs, in order to have a correct Mk I. Great writeup, regarding Paterson Clarence Hughes.
Welcome aboard!
Thank you so much Spiros, for you very kind comments.
As long as you used stuff from Barracuda, you should have sprung for their oil cooler, prop, canopy and radiator. That Revell kit is proof that "you get what you pay for." I did one.
That said, you've done this doggo kit about as well as it can be done, and those are a very interesting markings choice and I learned some history I didn't know, so thanks much.
Thanks Tom.
I used the Barracuda bits I bought for the Tamiya Spitfire kit years ago and didn't use them. The Revell kit really needed them. I am aware the Barracuda makes the better parts for the Revell kit but to added all those parts would be a big expense for me so I had a go a improving what comes in the kit. It was a rewarding experience for me.
Very good built and nice Model. I esp. like the chipping effect on the wings. Welcome Michael.
I really appreciate you kind comments about my Spitfire. Thanks Andreas.
A beautiful entry on this great community, Michael.
Welcome.
Great work on this Spitfire and a nice remembrance of Paterson.
Thank you John for your welcome. I think it's very important to remember the brave deeds of those who fought for freedom.
A superb Spitfire Michael!
Thank you Paul. I appreciate you nice comments.
Great model in such big scale!
Thank you Lis for asking me to be your friend and your kind comments about my Spitfire.
Revell subcontracted their research from someone who used a Warbird as reference and didn't have clue about early Spitfires. Michael, you really did take a Sows ear and turn it into a silk purse. Used some modeling skill and painting to bring this one up to snuff. Good save and I had to smash the like button.
Yes Steven, it is very obvious who ever designed the kit had no idea what they were doing.Which is very disappointing. Revell missed a chance to do great things with this kit.
I'm very happy you liked my Spitfire.
Great initial post of a great looking build, Michael.
Nice work and fantastic looking finish on this kit.
Thanks George. You made me happy to hear you liked my spitfire.
Thank you for the interesting read. Your Spitfire came out beautiful!
Thanks Keith. I'm glad you enjoyed the read and my Spitfire build.
Lovely Spit! Well done.
Thanks Greg. I'm glad you like my Spitfire.