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Rod Bettencourt
7 articles

BoB MK.I Spitfire

April 7, 2025 · in Aviation · · 43 · 367

Spitfire Mk.I 234 squadron August 1940. This is the Kotare kit which I enjoyed very much. Quinta cockpit and HGW seatbelts were used. Paints were model master. Mr. Cleaver gave me some advice on European fading (Lilac). I was waiting for an overcast day to get that England airfield look. Pics were taken with my Iphone. I Tried some studio type pics but I am terrible at doing that. I am not a photographer in any since. Outside photos are far easier for me. In the end it will look scale, or it will not. I leave that to you the viewer. I sure look forward to more kits from Kotare. Thanks for looking and all comments are welcomed.

V/R

Rod Bettencourt

Reader reactions:
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13 additional images. Click to enlarge.


43 responses

  1. Very nice photos. Looks authentic to me! The overcast really helped. Of course wouldn't be worth a wit without a well-built kit. Nice job.

  2. Excellent result, Bob! Pics are super, too!

  3. That's another winner, Rod @rodbettencourt! 👍 Looks pretty scale to me; I've got a few models waiting for just the right weather for location pics and I can say your wait was worth it. The model and photos are just top work! 👏

  4. Really well done Rod. Lilac, that is interesting. Here it is just Monday morning and I have already learned something - hobby related. Great job on the weathering and wear.

  5. Wow..that’s what it’s all about…

  6. Wow - a little more grime on the tires, and I would not have believed this was a model! Well done.

  7. Looks like a winner - nice photos!

  8. Rod, @rodbettencourt, that really is a beautiful build. The build of the kit is very well executed, and the added details look amazing. To top it off your finish work is outstanding. Your cover photo absolutely looks like it was taken during the war. I would have easily believed it was a real plane. Well Done!

    • Thank you Walt! How's the JU-52 coming? I am getting close to paint on 32nd F-104G early Luftwaffe. Fingers crossed. Hope this finds you well.

      Rod

      • The Ju-52 stalled a bit because of my eye issues at the beginning of the year. I have gotten the floats located and most of the rigging to them mounted but I am struggling because I lost a fuselage door. I painted it, and now I can't find it. I have spent hours looking for it. I can't finish without it...very frustrating.

  9. Very impressive work there, both the model and photography.
    The kit looks quite good but you got the best from it for sure.
    The European fading is just what exactly?
    If it’s about the combat wear your Spitfire shows then you nailed perfectly. Thumbs up!

  10. A gorgeous build and good pics Rod. Excellent 👍

  11. At first I thought to be looking at a real Spitfire in the field, Rob @rodbettencourt
    Very realistic and excellent work on the interior.

  12. Incredible. Fantastic build and great photos. This looks super realistic!

  13. Atmospheric as hell! Very nice.

  14. Great photo and superb build. At first I thought it was a real Spit. Looks like an excellent kit Rod @rodbettencourt. Who says you're not a photographer?

  15. Thank you Eric, natural light is what makes the pics. thank you for your comment.

    Rod

  16. Wonderful build. I’ve heard good things about those kits and you absolutely nailed it.

  17. Impressive all around, Rod. Your outdoor pics are classic.

  18. man I had to do a double take...looked like a 1:1...still does. Great job building and even better with the photography! They look like faded war time kodachrome shots, pretty spectacular.

    Jim

  19. Beauty. Looks like Middle Wallop in the summer. A permanent haze.
    The tyres? Yeah, even stored ours are dusty and grass fields are too but that's splitting hairs.
    About the best Spitfire I've seen❤️

  20. Nice Spitfire. What airshow were you at? But this is iMODELER.
    Really, fabulous work. Very realistically portrayed.

  21. Well done, Rod (@rodbettencourt). I would have sworn these were photos from the war. Your paint and weathering are exceptional.

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