Spitfire

Found this in my archives from the late Edgar Brooks. From what I've discovered, you're spoilt for choice. On several un rebuilt airframes, I've found green wells, from Mk.I to 22, which leads me to believe that that was how they started, however it's entirely possible (and likely) that, during repaints (whether due to overhaul or camouflage change,) with the aircraft standing on its u/c., the sprayer wouldn't have worried about the wells, since there was nothing there that could be harmed by paint, so the whole lot got a coat. It's unlikely, though, that the leg wells would have had the same treatment, since there were pipes, unions, etc., to be looked after, so those areas should have been masked off. There is an instructional film on servicing procedures on a Mk.I Spitfire, and it's possible to see that the legs, doors (and, presumably the wheel wells) are also black/white. One item that I've only just discovered (been told); the white aileron on black wing, and black on white, was a safety measure, since, in the dark (and blackout conditions prevailed, when doors opened) it was easy for someone to walk into a totally black wing, thereby risking injury. When made, door insides were painted silver, but, as it was entirely likely that they were removed for a repaint, and hung up in the spray booth, both sides could be (and were) painted. U/c legs were also painted silver, but needed regular servicing, part of which involved a wash in paraffin, to remove any trace of oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, etc. The paintwork would, naturally, have suffered, and the erk would have used whatever colour he could lay his hands on. Wheel hubs might well have needed the same "touch-up" procedure, after being worked on. Edgar Cheers Dennis

That looks absolutely great, I was fascinated by the BEF and always wanted to build kits from that period, however I started a Bronco A13 in 2012 and failed miserably to complete it, I haven't gone back to AFV modelling since. Cheers Dennis

Nice one, I can remember fighting through a couple of Maquette Valentines, many moons ago, I suspect that Tamiya did a better job ! Cheers Dennis

Scary stuff, I worked in oil refineries my whole life and the idea of being in one during a bombing raid is horrifying, the several fires that I have seen over the years were scary enough but are nothing compared to what you are describing. Cheers Dennis

That looks great, I bought the kit hoping that someone would bring out a Mk. III conversion so I may follow your path. Cheers Dennis

For my building plans for 2016 I decided that I wanted something simple and easy to build so I decided to build three Spitfires, two Hobbyboss Spitfires (Mk Vb and Mk V Trop) and the Revell Mk I/II. Cheap and cheerful kits that would not tax my brain too much, first up was the Hobbyboss kits which despite their perceived faults are well engineered and easy to build. Armed with the late Edgar Brook's list of faults I set about them, helped by a few after market detail parts: Quickboost exhausts Barracuda: Cockpit detailing parts, mainwheels, seat and back armour, cockpit entry door. Exito: Tail planes and prop HPH: canopy and tailplanes for the Vb Trop. Yahu: Instrument panels. RB productions: seat belts. Montex: Paint Masks AML: Camouflage paint masks. GMF: Prop Paints used were Humbrol for details, Xtracolour for the main painting and Colourcoats for the markings. Unusually for me I decided that I was going to build all three Spitfires as US operated examples. Interestingly I found the Vb Trop a harder build that the Vb which is mad as they are the same kit, this could explain why opinions on kits can vary so much So on with the photos, all mistakes and bodges are down to me. Cheers Dennis

Nice work, those Revell kits do seem to scrub up well. Cheers Dennis

Beautiful job, the figure really adds to it. Cheers Dennis

At long last a 1/32 scale Whirlwind, SH have found the key to my wallet. Cheers Dennis

Gorgeous Cheers Dennis

Great work, the finish is superb Cheers Dennis

Great news, I used to love seeing (and hearing) the Broughton Mossie flying around the local area. Cheers Dennis

Nice work, I have a soft spot for SEAC schemes and that is perfect. Cheers Dennis

That looks great, we could do with more WW2 Soviet subjects, hope this is the first of many. Cheers Dennis

Nice work, but a Mk II ? Cheers Dennis