Spitfire by Night in 1/72, Hobby Boss 80212
After building about twenty-eight 1/72nd WWII Aircraft, I am figuring that I'll stick to this scale for a few more builds before going back to 1/48th scale. These little guys sure do fit on my shelves nicely.
This is my 11th HBoss Easy' kit, and for the most part they have provided me with a quick inexpensive build option which allows me to develop my paint skills and tactics and also allow me to try out different decals without having to spend more money on a Tami-Gawa grade kits.
This particular kit was a $6 Thrift Store purchase, and I bought it even after quickly reading a few reviews. It has a tub cockpit with no control panel and a stubby little control stick. The kit prop is HORRIBLE – it's not even symmetrical, I replaced it with a spare Airfix Vb prop. No landing gear fairings supplied, these were added from another Arifix kit. Two canopies options are provided; the one-piece canopy is HORRIBLE while the 3-piece option is not too bad; I wonder why HBoss gives an open canopy when there is no detail and no shape. Outer gun positions had to be micro-drilled out, and wing nav lights added.
On the positive side, are some nice fine engraved lines which upon comparision, nicely match the Tamiya 1/72nd Vb lines. One thing this kit does have are some extended landing lights, at least I think they are extended landing lights. From what I've read, Vb's were designed with operational landing lights installed in the wings since plans were that the Vb would be used as an optional night fighter. Instead of shaving the extended lights off, I figured I could dress this kit up as a night fighter. Photos of aircraft W3848 (thank you Mr. Henderson @blackadder57 ) shows call lettering JU+H and considering timing of the Vb design, I did not add the upper mid wings reinforcement ribs. First priming with Surfacer 500 and adding pre-shading, I quickly painted a rough gray/green camo pattern prior to the overall black finish. I hoped that some of the camo pattern would be visible, but I guess the Tamiya X-18 Semi Gloss Black was applied to heavy and the camo pattern was lost.
TechMod 72022B provided the insignia, the tail colours needed A TON of MicroSol to simply form to the tail and the wing roundels had to have a sharp blade run over them to get the panel lines to show. No decals cracking this time, thank goodness. AeroMaster 72-168 provided the 30” Gray lettering, but I think I should have searched for 24” lettering instead to properly match the W3848 photo. Spare decals used for seatbelts and control panel. Gray panel highlights done, and final Coat was 50/50 Satin/Flat.
Thanks for viewing.
-
- 1. Camo Pre-Paint Prep before Night paint
-
- 1. Preshaded Grey Belly Paint
- 2. Exposed Landing Lights??
-
- 1. Hobby Boss Easy Kit
- 2. Tamiya 60756
-
- 1. Hobby Boss Easy Kit
- 2. Tamiya 60756 kit
-
- 1. Should have used 24' Grey Lettering
- 2. Actual canopy seems more streamlined than the kit's canopy
- 3. Seems to be a DH. prop
- 4. should have added a rear view mirror
Looks great, George (@georgeswork). I have built a couple of of these "easy" kits and they come out really well with a little TLC. Well done.
Thanks George (@gblair) , I keep finding these kits 2nd hand for real cheap. Hard to turn down.
I like it, George. The spit looks good in black.
Thanks Ben (@popeofchillitown), I has hoping to see the camo bleed through but then this was a good kit for a test unit.
Nice work, George. I’m building more and more 1/72 these days. They take up little shelf space and don’t take an eternity to finish.
Thanks John (@j-healy),
I can fit about 12 planes on one shelf!
Excellent result from this Easy Assembly kit, George!
Thanks Spiros (@fiveten),
Not the best kits around, but more than 'good enough' to slap together.
You turned this kit into a nice model, George @georgeswork
A great Spitfire in black.
Thank you John (@johnb),
The grey lining adds some depth, I'm glad I chose the black.
Nice job, George.
Thanks Gary (@gwskat), also finishing Airfix and Tamiya Spitfires soon. Good comparison builds.
Great job, George. A midnight Spitfire is a rare bird indeed!
Thanks Aldo (@aldog), seems the idea did not catch on too well.
No radar and the engine exhaust flash were just two of the issues.
Nice work, as always, George. It looks great. I’ll stick with 1/48 & 1/32 though.
Thanks Jay (@ssgt),
I have my ‘Hobby Bifocals’ that are x4 magnified, thank goodness for benefits 😉
If it wasn’t for these guys, I’d probably only build 1/32nd scale.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
A dark beauty! I like the scheme a lot, George @georgeswork.
Thanks Felix (@fxrob), it's easy to say when any Spit's a beauty. 😉
George @georgeswork, not sure about those Spits with a volkes filter though! 🙂
George, this Spitfire looks great in black. Nice job on this build!
Thanks Bob (@v1pro), I think Mick Jagger would agree.
The Spit is elegant in that all-black scheme, and turned out lovely even with the elbow grease required and choices made. Nicely done!
Thanks Greg (@gkittinger), this kit wouldn't be my first choice for a Vb but I think this one was worth the investment.