Third Time's a Charm, Głowacki Spitfire Vc in 1/72, Airfix A55001
I gotta admit that building Spitfires can be addictive as this is my third Spitfire in 1/72 this year. I really like the way this Vc Spit looks with the Rotol Prop (only kit option).
Don't confuse this kit with the splendid Airfix kit A02108 from 2020, this build is the Airfix A55001 also from 2020 and has been released as a 'Starter' kit or in the 'DogFight Doubles' kit.
This kit has 26 pieces, 2 of which are for the Spitfire shaped base. With wheels down and if you don't use the pilot figure, you'll only need 19 pieces to complete the build.
This really is a 'Starter' kit and is a very good one at that. Nice panel lining and the only riveting is in the nose cowling. I added the few 'bumps' behind the exhaust by dabbing CA glue and I filled in the belly mounting hole by slicing a thin piece off the actual mounting rod for a perfect fit. I added the wing nav lights and the head bumper and plate behind the seat.
I used Vallego 'AV Model Air' paints, trusting AV71324 Drk Grn, AV71273 Ocean Grey and AV71307 Med Sea Grey to be the proper shades and I'm happy that I did. The paints were part of the 'Air War' RAF Colors Day Fighter 1941-1945 set. They sprayed nicely once they were thinned down, I used AK 712 thinner for that job.
The kit decals were minimal, Airfix supplied basic marking for aircraft AB174 from the Polish 303 squadron and the decals were MARVELOUS! They were thin and hugged all the panel lining very well with a little MicroSol with no tearing or splitting.
Stencilling was taken from the Revell Spitfire Vb kit and those were a bit on the thick side but I used them away, they did their job. I used a photo copied decal for the belly light and the top fuel tank cap. I'm not sure if the yellow leading edges should be there, but I added it using trimmed pieces from a Micro Scale Yellow sheet.
Aircraft AB174 was flown by Polish pilot Antoni Głowacki who is notable for achieving "ace-in-a-day" status during the Battle of Britain, shooting down five aircraft on 24 August 1940. I actually worked with a gent named Glowacki in the 1990's. I don't think there was a relation, but you never know.
Just realized, in my haste to post I forgot about the pitot tube - I'll add that very soon.
A quick and effective build.
Thanks for viewing.
For a starter kit, this is a great looking kit, plus adding some extra details just makes it better. Nicely done George.
Thanks Bob (@v1pro), kind of reminded me of the Hobby Boss Easy Kits but just a bit nicer.
This is a great looking Spitfire, George @georgeswork
Thanks John (@johnb), I'll be using the Vallejo paints again when I have a chance.
George, the decals, paint and build are all marvelous. And in 1/72!
Thanks Russell (@russjurco), It's a pretty decent kit.
Excellent Spitfire, let alone for a starter kit, George!
Congratulations!
Thanks Spiros (@fiveten), it was an enjoyable build.
Well done, George!
Thanks Gary (@gwskat)
That turned out well, George. Sure looks like the two Vc kits I built earlier this year.
Thanks John (@j-healy), a few more parts and details in your kits. Those builds look excellent.
Looks really good!
Thanks Bernard (@lis), I really liking my Tamiya airbrush and the AV AIR paints.
Another beautiful Spitfire built by you, George @georgeswork. I have always wondered what this kit is like. Your build is tempting! I like the accurate shape of the dark green camouflage pattern a lot, not an easy thing to do on such a tiny plane. Seems impossible with blue tack at this scale - how did you do it? 🙂
Thank you Felix (@fxrob).
I simpler kit that needs a few little details, great for any beginner including kids. Good paint practice also without investing too much time.
I wasn't getting the nice squiggles using blue tack either in pervious builds. I've been trying out some home made masks for the recent camo schemes, and it is a bit of a compromise. I expand the kit photos on my laser printer/copier which is adjustable in one of the printer sub menus. You end up getting the nice curves, but you get minimal feathering/fanning in the borders of the camo colours. I would expect the feathering is barely visible in this scale anyways. I also try angle spraying along the separation edges, not sure if it actually does anything. The masks also help keep the pre-shading visible since you are not covering the pre-shading with multiple layers of different camo colours. I also use a fine tip (0.20 ?) and try to modulate the paint coverage of each colour with super thinned acrylic using multiple THIN coats.
I'm just about to start painting a R.S. Tuck Hurricane in the attached photo. After the first colour is applied, the negative area masks are then used to cover up existing colours for no overspray.
You might lose points in a competition for minimal feathering but you might gain points for the camo presentation patterns.
In 1/48, I'd prob still use the masks, but I might try to line the mask with a thin string of blue tack and angle spray.
Cheers.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
1. R.S. Tucks Hurricane about to start spraying
2. Kit Plans blown up to the model dimensions on my laser printer/scanner/copier
3. Negative area saved and use to cover up areas as you go along
Dear George @georgeswork, thanks a lot for your feedback. I have used paper jigs before but like you mentioned, the edges become very sharp. However, the patterns are really very precise with your builds!