Warbird Replicas Spitfire LF mk IXc

[Barney Corn 1]

Given the weather I'm not keen on the shed but I have been making a bit of progress on the pilot.

He was supplied by Warbirds with the bust being a good quality cast which is glued to a vac formed base.

Since the pilot can only be seen from above I don't think the join is very important, however the fact he looks like he's wearing a skirt and has hi hands in his lap isn't quite the look!

First step was to give him a pair of legs which I started by cutting a slit in the middle, be warned, it's brittle stuff as you can tell from the crack, don't panic though as it won't be visible.

I then cut a couple of wedges from 1/8" balsa and pinched the moulding around them with a bit of cyano to hold them in place.

The result is a bit rough and ready but from above does the job given that the view will be very restricted.

The next stage was to give him a joystick which was made from a bent bit of sprue from an Airfix kit, in this case the 1/48 Spitfire I've bought as a guide to detailing the model.

I then drilled two holes in the moulding that seemed to correspond with where the hands would grip.

Into these were glued the bent sprue with a couple of small offcuts to simulate the firing button, I went for the round version for ease although there is also a square holder with a switch, both seem to have been used on the IX so it's a free choice.

A straight section of sprue glued between his legs and there's a reasonable impression of the control column when viewed from above, plenty good enough for the scale I think.

Now just to finish off the painting then dry brush and dark washes for a bit of life, unfortunately my hands shake so the fine detail is a bit tricky (or impossible as the case may be)!

Cheers,

Barney

[Barney Corn 1]

I'm currently torn where the final finish is concerned between an Italian campaign markings or going a bit more unusual with a photo reconnaissance aircraft. Opinions are welcome!

[Ady Hayward]

Variety is the spice of life so go for the more unusual. The Aussie Grey Nurse Sqdn had shark mouth Spitfires, the PR versions are unusual too but beware a camo scheme that becomes effective in flight. There are plenty of schemes on the internet.

Adrian

[Jon H]

I always liked this....

Edited By Jon Harper - Laser Engines on 29/01/2016 08:33:07

[Barney Corn 1]

Thanks Adrian, it's the effectiveness of a PIR job that worries me (although blue sky in Cornwall...) I'm also a bit concerned about orientation although it would gain invasion stripes to aid both issues.

Thanks for the suggestion Jon, I rather like that so it'll go on the list of possibilities.

[Ady Hayward]

Hi All

Things have gone quiet on this forum. How's folks getting on with their builds. It will be good to keep things ticking over for any newbees looking in.

Cheers. Ady

[Barney Corn 1]

Evening Andy,

I'm still here! Unfortunately with 20 live sites and construction contracts galore I'm not seeing much time out of the office at present. I hope to return to happier times with the Spitfire shortly. I'll keep you all posted!

Cheers,
Barney

[Jon H]

I am spending all my time on the balsa bashing thread as my hurricane is progressing rapidly!

[Keith Mikail]

Lovely Spitfire. I always admire them.

[Dave Hopkin]

Its wrong on so many levels, but here is a different paint job...

German Spitfire! A Spitfire Mk VB, serial number EN830, flown by Pilot Officer Bernard Scheidhauer had to make a forced landing in Jersey and was subsequently tested by the Luftwaffe.

[Barney Corn 1]

I agree, it's not right but it's certainly interesting. The shape of the nose and the intake on the cowl suggests it had a 109 engine fitted?

[Dave Hopkin]

There were at least 2 Spits captured and made flyable again for the "Zirkus Rosarius" (a luftwaffe test unit) that apparently also toured with the captured aircraft to give familiarisation training to combat Staffels - so the example that was forced down in Jersey might well have needed a new engine to restore it to flying condition for demo purposes.

Interesting link - **LINK**

[Ady Hayward]

Hi folks,

Its good to see things are progressing. My Spitfire is still going strong and will be out again this weekend weather and wife permitting. Please keep the build pics coming as well.

Ady

[Barney Corn 1]

My build will progress as the evenings draw out. In the meantime I've started building a West wings sea fury for conversion to miniature rc. I bought an ele mini stick from BBC last year which is lovely to fly so thought why not build another little aeroplane. Mostly it's the boyhood dream of being able to control a free flight model! I'll start a build thread shortly.

[Ady Hayward]

Hi Barney Corn 1,

I have had my eye on that kit with a view to the same but have had to pass so I will look out for the thread. The Puss Moth in the West Wings range has also caught my eye so you never know.

Adrian

[Barney Corn 1]

Hi Adrian,
I chose the Fury largely thanks to the big round nose, makes fitting an outrunner nice and easy.

I'll get a build thread up and running in the next couple of days. Bit belated as I got carried away with building it! At the moment I've largely completed the fuselage and wings so I'll be moving onto the control runs which will slow things a tad.

I have a small bag of all the rc bits thanks to BRC which helps spur me on.

Cheers
Barney.

[Barney Corn 1]

In case anyone is interested in the smaller side of the hobby I've started a thread on the Sea Fury which may be found at http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=116706

I've also made some progress on the Spitfire with some more rubbing down of the final areas so I'll post some photos of that in the near future.

Cheers,

Barney

[Paul Johnson 4]

Hi Guys

rather than post twice here's a link to how I did my battery cover. I hope someone may find it useful.

**LINK**

[Colin Leighfield]

The Spitfire in Dave's post of 09 December is the Vb fitted with a Daimler Benz DB605 by the Germans for comparisons with the similarly powered Me109G. Very popular with their test pilots until it was destroyed in a US air raid.

[Ady Hayward]

Hi Paul,

Your battery cover looks good. All ideas are gratefully received. How long before the maiden?

[Paul Johnson 4]

Hi Adrian

Thanks not too long. Just getting the balance right. Had a weight machined to fit onto the prop and needs adjustment, more machining yet.

I spent Tuesday Morning at Richards for coffee and a chat.

Had a look at his prototype Spitfire and he gave me a lot of tips on finishing line detailing etc. A very clever guy.

He asked me to post on the battery cover as he was impressed on how well it held and fitted.

Had to post under those circumstances!

I will keep you informed when I do.

Needs to be soonish as I have been bewitched by the BF110 so I'm in the list for that release.

He told me of your delight with the JU88 so just had to jump on board.

Regards

Paul

[Paul Johnson 4]

Hi Guys

Opinion's please..

After visiting Richard and getting his master class on panelling. Using black on light and white on dark I made a mistake and know make lots of mistakes... I accidently put white under black and the panels now come alive.

I use black first then on the horizontals put white underneath then behind on the verticals.

the results..

before

and after

Well I like it

[Paul Johnson 4]

Followed by a little weathering...

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Yep i like it as well, looks very professional

John

[Ady Hayward]

Hi Paul,

Your panel lines look good with the highlights, plus the staining is convincing. All in all a very professional finish to the model making it definitely on to be proud of.