Anyone who knows and/or models RAF aircraft of WWII knows one of the things that gives those kites character is the Dzus fastener. Look at any Spitfire, Hurricane, Typhoon, etc,and you will find they are covered in Dzus fasteners. However on most kits of RAF aircraft, the Dzus fastener is not there or it is way overdone such as is the case with the PCM Hurricane and the new Revell Spitfire Mk.IIa kits where the Dzus fasteners look like calamaris.
On my last project, the Revellegawa 1/32 Spitfire Mk.II, the Dzus fasteners were not represented at all so I had to engrave them myself, all sixty-six of them. Now,while this old Revell Hurricane does actually represent the Dzus fasteners on the fuselage, they are, unfortunately, raised and would disappear in the sanding that follows scribing. So out with the Swiss beading tool, a sewing needle, and a small drill bit and begin the process of engraving Dzus fasteners once again. Only this time, I had to engrave seventy-eight. Between the Spitfire and my current Hurricane project, that is one-hundred and forty-four Dzus fasteners I have engraved so far. I deserve a PhD on the subject so call me Dr. Dzus (with apologies to Theodor Seuss Geisel).
With the Dzus fasteners completed, I began and completed the scribing using the raised panel lines on the kit. These are pretty much accurate with the exception that there are some missing lines, but as I am not the "Rivet Counter" type, I figure I will let them go. I doubt anyone will notice anyway and, if they do, so f**king what?
This is my second attempt at scribing/rescribing a kit. It really is not all that difficult but,it is extremely tedious. The toughest part was sanding off all the raised detail. I guess back in 1969 when this kit was first produced, plastic models were considered toys that would be played with once they were assembled so they were made out of some heavy duty plastic. Nothing I had in the way of sanding tools could scrub away all that raised detail. I had to go to my local Home Depot and get some heavy grit sanding sponges. They did the job,
but I still had to use a lot of elbow grease. Now I can start the painting process.
14 attached images. Click to enlarge.
