That's very good analytic reasoning on the stripes. The wings missing them, that's the part of the airplane that would be most visible to an intercepting pilot, while the black/white stripes would hopefully ID them to the "shoot first, ask questions later" boys manning the Allied AA in Holland, where this airplane would have been operating.

I bet you made engine starting sounds once you pushed that prop in place. Looks good Louis.

Tom C,
After looking closer at the date of service when this particular Spitfire was operated on the decal sheet, that's when I came to this conclusion. I may not be correct, but it is highly possible, for reasons like you mentioned.

Allan,
Yes on occasion I have painted the props exactly as you show, with painting the tips first followed by the rest in black. It works just as well, and saves a little bit on tape. The downfall is that it was a little harder for me to get the distances proper for the correct width of the yellow portion.

In all honesty I simply had painted the props black first, so I had no choice. But it did seem a bit easier this time since the tape pieces were a little bigger and easier for me to handle.

Thanks for posting pictures of your work. Exemplary as usual... 🙂

Tom B.,
I was very tempted to start making some engine noises, and even wanted take the Mk XIX around in the hobby room for a quick spin behind the controls... luckily the misses came out to the shop and told me it was time to eat so the idea quickly was shelved... just as I was thinking "Clear prop ! Switch on ! ".

Paul,
Yes it seemed a little overwhelming at first, trying to keep things in order. But as I progressed, it actually became a little easier. Before I knew it, I had a routine worked out and it was smooth sailing from there.

Thanks for posting these the fantastic PRU plane photos ! They are stunning... 🙂
To answer your questions about the finish of the model, it's going to be almost like the one in the second photo you posted and closely resemble the plane with the Invasion Stripes as far as the overall sheen of the finish goes.

From what I have read about the finish used on Wartime Spitfires, I think this one is more accurate. I believe it was sometime in 1942 that the Air Ministry changed the standards for paint finishing's, and they were no longer a "Flat" finish as seen on earlier examples, that was typically wet sanded with sandpaper to a flat sheen.

I found this fantastic color Wartime photo that was from the "LIFE" magazine. It shows an eggshell type sheen on the finish. You can see how the sunlight is reflecting on the fuselage just above the roundel and aircraft letter on the spine of the plane.

I'm hoping to get it done with an eggshell type shine. just a little... not too much.

Yesterday I sprayed on a few coats of "Future" to give the surface some shine to help prevent silvering when it was time to apply the decals.

Thanks for posting gents, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you again soon.

As usual,
"Comments are encouraged".

Thanks for looking.

PS: Craig, thanks for the clear adjustable aircraft stands... They are getting a workout, (and they make things easier too).

I just posted this on another thread, don’t know if you have seen the photo, Louis. Just a point of interest...

I saw that David ! and instantly started thinking... hmmmmm.

You got into my head. Planted the seed...

Thanks my friend, and I hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend. Those two Eduard FW's are fantastic ! I loved everything about the presentation...

Louis loving the production line all those propellors - those griffon engined spits with the five bladed props look magnificent

Thanks gentlemen for the compliments and kind replies.

Pedro I sincerely hope that Tamiya follows through and we get a new Mk 1 Spitfire from them. I'd have to purchase a few of those for sure ! Since I started building up the Spitfires in my stash, and researching different paint schemes, I have found a few more various aircraft that I would really enjoy building.

Thanks again everyone. I have plans to paint the underside color on the Mark V's tomorrow.

I'll post the pictures of the progress then.

Take care.