Superb Louis, great example of the different schemes used by the RAF. And that is not all of them. Really the Luftwaffe basically used just 2 colors until late in the war when some of the lower surfaces were left bare metal. Othewise it was either RLM 65 Licht Blau (Lt Blue} or RLM 76 Licht Blau. With some night Black used on some night time aircraft. Most of the different schemes being on top of the airframe. When you think Lancaster, first thing that comes to mind is the Dk Earth/DK Green over black. Yet there are a couple of different schemes that the Lancaster appeared in during the war. And we still have the FAA schemes to consider as well. Hmmmm, kind've like more to build if ya ask me.

Late last night, and very early this morning I made some great progress on the Airfix PRU MK XIX Spitfire.

Please follow along, and I'll show you what was done.

I noticed something from looking at another builders postings here on Imodeler. It makes perfect sense when it sinks in...

In regards to exhaust staining: This kit has the exhaust molded as separate parts. Most kits do now days. It's a whole lot easier to add the exhaust staining before these parts are added on. It allows you more precise control of the staining as it appears directly next to the exhaust pipes.

So I decided to give it a try on the PRU Spit.

Since I was on a roll, and the "Mojo" was full speed ahead, I painted the exhaust parts, then started drilling out the exits. I used a #61 drill first as a pilot hole to make sure things were centered. Then I came back with a #54 and carefully removed more plastic until just the edges of the pipes remained. If you look closely at the extreme far right exhaust opening, this hole has been fully opened up. The remaining 5 have the "pilot" hole only.

After this step, I used a tooth pick and painted inside the exhaust using WW2 German Armor Gray.

The fit for these parts was spot on. I didn't even have to glue them. I simply pressed the pipes in position... done.

The canopy was glued on, as were the camera doors. The remaining steps were to assemble and install the landing gear...

Be careful here. The attachment point is rather weak. I chose to install the "tyres" with the flattened bulge. Due to the angle of the main gear legs when installed, it matters which tyre is used on which side. They are a keyed part, so you need to follow the "destructions" to the letter...

Also, the oleo "scissors" are very delicate. These parts will break very easily when you're cutting them from the tree... be careful !

Here's how the landing gear and tires look once installed. After this picture was snapped, I gave the wheels and the wheel wells a light oil wash of "Lamp Black" to bring out the details. That last step really made things
"Pop"

Now I have to say...

This one is done ! Who would have thought that the "Last" type of Spitfire used by the RAF would be the "First" one I finished.

Here's a few pictures showing the plane completed. You will also see the overall finish has been "toned down" to a semi matt finish. I sprayed on a few light coats of "Future" with some Tamiya Flattening agent added. It works pretty good, and closely resemble and egg shell finish ...

The next time you see this one will be during the reveal.

Thanks again for looking, and please stay tuned for updates.

As always,
"Comments are encouraged"

Thanks.

You've definitely "outdone yourself" Louis. This is one very nice result.

Regarding cutting small parts off the sprues, I don't know why I didn't figure this out decades ago, but I now cut the small parts off the sprue with the attachment bits of sprue still there, then cut them off when I have the part solidly on a cutting pad. No more breakage and far less likely to go spanging off into the Great Beyond.

Thanks Peter !
I'm very pleased with this PRU one. Lets hope the remaining Spitfires turn out.

Tom C.,
Thanks for the additional information, and the compliments on this PRU Spitfire.

The info on the FAA colors was particularly useful and I appreciate this. I hope to put this to good use in the very near future...

I'm fairly certain that a company called "Berry Brothers" (or something very similar to this name) produced the aircraft paints for Vought and Grumman for the Navy, while they also manufactured paints for Bell and Curtiss for the Army aircraft. So this would make sense.

I purchased the two recent edition books by Dana Bell on the F4U, who also did a lot of color and historical research on the F4U, and have been stopping by to see my friends who are currently restoring a Grumman F6F Hellcat back to airworthy status, among their other restoration projects. They have been doing some excellent documentation of this plane (including the original colors) they found during the disassembly stage.

Here's a few pictures of the F6F, that I took during one of my latest visits. The cowling should be back on by now, and the outer wings should follow very soon.

Thanks again for the information on Goodyear and Eastern built aircraft and the colors they used...

Good stuff !

This is partly why I want to build up the Corsairs and Hellcats I mentioned in one of my recent posts.

Louis, it’s one of the best Spits I’ve seen built. You’ve captured the colour and the finish perfectly. Congratulations. I can really sense the GB in full swing and the output is looking sensational!

Yes it is a dash 3. It's also a night fighter variant.
F6F-3N

Just look at the lines of that Spitfire. The pure primer shows the utter elegance of this gorgeous aircraft. Beautiful.