Yellow Nosed Spitfire in 1/72, Tamiya 60748
Built in between hockey games.
My second Spitfire in 1/72nd scale and my first Tamiya aircraft kit…..… ever, I think. Fairley simple build but man, what a treat! The only critiques I would have is that the kit decals were the slightest off register leaving white traces on any blue and red decals, and the canopy seems to be just a little too narrow.
Coming across Aircraft AR212 in photos, I wanted the colourful bird from No.57 Op. Training Unit on my shelf and used an Airfix Paint guide as a reference. Finished with Mr. Hobby Acqueous H72 Drk Earth and H330 RAF Drk Grn, with H74 Sky Duck Egg for rear band and XF21Sky underneath. I used kit decals for stenciling and side and bottom insignia. I bravely used Techmod 72022B insignia for the top sides and was pleased. Side lettering was from AeroMaster 72-168 30” Gray lettering, but once again I think I should have searched for 24” lettering. Aircraft ID ‘AR212' was printed on clear decal sheet as was the side window frame which was copied from a Promodler 1/72 Spitfire decal sheet, both coated with M/S Liquid Decal Film to seal them up.
Kovozávody Prostějov does this aircraft with kit KPM0276 in 1/72, with decals indicate yellow and white call lettering. Different shading observed in BW photos and reading comment indicate that KP is probably correct with their coloring. The KP kit decals were available for purchase directly from KP but I was too impatient and went with grey as indicated by Airfix.
A treat to build, thanks for viewing
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- 1. OOPs!!
Missing side window frame decal
Really nice, another George. I built this and its blue,red and white stripey nose brother in 1:48
Thanks George (@blackadder57),
I did see your post, and I know I'd mess up the white, red/blue nose of AR213.
Yellow acrylic is such a safer attempt.
Nice work, George (@georgeswork). I have seen photos of this plane and I have always wondered if there was a problem confusing this plane with the yellow-nosed 109s. Interpreting old black and white photos can be a struggle, especially when you throw in the type of film used during the war. I have had problems finding the correct ID lettering for some of my projects, so I have been "borrowing" my wife's Cricut to cut painting masks.
Hey other George (@gblair), 57OTU was kind of the original Top Gun Squadron. Top RAF fighter pilots got a break from battle to train new pilots. This aircraft had the yellow nose to simulate the 109s the new pilots were to meet. These aircraft were called bounce aircraft and were flown by aces "Ginger" Lacey and James Storrar among others.
https://imodeler.com/uploads/2021/04/b/blackadder57_210402_606692d83e487.jpg?17556
Thanks George (@gblair), great idea using the Circut. With masks and paint you won't get any silvering from old dodgy decals.
And Thanks George (@blackadder57), I didn't know that about the unit. I originally thought it was the other way around, the rookies got the yellow nose waring other of their inexperience. Kind of like a 'new driver' notification.
Nice job George, looking at old B/W photos is pretty tough! This is a unique and interesting looking Spitfire.
Thanks Bob (@v1pro)
Excellent result, George! Got to love 1/72 Tamiyas! Such sweet kits!
Thanks Spiros (@fiveten), it's like they shrunk down a 1/32nd scale kit.
Absolutely wonderful, George @georgeswork
Hard to tell this is just 1/72 scale.
Thanks John (@johnb), my bifocals are a constant reminder it's 1/72nd 😉
Very nice, George.
Probably won't be your last Tam kit...
Thanks Gary, (@gwskat). Definitely not my last, I do have a few in my 'inventory' ready to go.
Very nice work! And in 1/72. Thanks for identifying the paints you used. I will have to look for a source as my LHS does not cary the brand.
Thanks Russel (@russjurco).
You’ll need the thinner also, Mr Hobby 400 Thinner.
Oh yeah, Tamiya XF-3 was the yellow
Great build and an unusual scheme, a winning combination!
Thanks Jeff (@inchhigh), glad I went with the yellow.
Now that's a "Spit of a different color!" Very nice, and a unique scheme.
Thanks Greg (@gkittinger), now I no I can do a yellow nose '109'
Excellent build!
Thanks Dan (@dbdlee), I noticed you treated AR212 very well in 1/48th scale a while back.
Very nice!