Spitfire

Thank you for that I have always thought that we should learn something new every day, I still do that, every day I read through modelling websites and I always find something to copy and stash away for future use. Cheers Dennis

Some great work going on here, I have a fascination for warchips but I'm pretty sure I am not good enough to build them accurately. Cheers Dennis

Looking good, the kit looks fantastic, wish they would do a Mk. XII. Cheers Dennis

More information on the plastic seats, from Edgar and the full thread is here. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/41616-a-question-regarding-early-spitfire-seats/ The plastic (not Tufnol*, or Bakelite**, whatever the "experts" tell you) seat was planned for, in 1938, initially for Castle Bromwich, exclusively, but there were huge problems with its (lack of) inherent strength, and it wasn't passed for use until May, 1940. Although the seat could be changed over (relatively, it's a multi-handed job) easily, it's a bit unlikely in your example. Edgar * Tufnol, as a company, existed before the war, in Glasgow, but the seat was manufactured by Aeroplastics Ltd. (also in Glasgow.) Tufnol make a resin/paper material now, and Aeroplastics no longer exist, but I've been unable to find out if Tufnol took them over. ** Bakelite is a moulded material, of a granular type of material, which needs precise temperature control and tremendous pressure for moulding. A friend made instrument cases from Bakelite, around 30 years ago, and says that the size of the seat would have made consistency of the temperature impossible, together with the huge increase needed in the pressure. And a bit more technical from Stephen MG in the same thread. Mish - not actually 'plastic' as we know it now but an 'engineering plastic' called SRBP (Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper). It's basically layers of paper impregnated with resin to produce a 'plastic' type material. This method of manufacture means that it can be made in a mould - seat shaped for example! It is characteristically a light red-brown colour - hence the colour often seen in old aircraft seats. SRBP is the generic name for it, trade names are Paxoline, Lamitex etc.. SRBF (Synthetic Resin Bonded Fabric) is a similar material which used fabric instead of paper in it's structure. The same basic style of seat and SRBP material was used in countless aircraft - Spitfire, Hurricane, Hornet, Vampire for example. They even appeared in some Canberras. SRBF was extensively used in making things like instrument panels and heel plates on cockpit floors etc. - good examples of both can be seen in the Mosquito, and most commonly as insulators and circuit board material in the electrics. The reason people refer to this material as Tufnol is because it's a famous brand name - a bit like referring to any vacuum cleaner as a Hoover or any clear plastic as Perspex. Personally I always use generic SRBF/P because it's much cheaper than paying for the brand name. So technically Edgar is right, it's not correct to refer to the material as Tufnol, but it's SRBP. Bakelite is a completely different material and is quite brittle. It would be useless for making aircraft sets but the name does get used, even cropping up in official documentation sometimes. (Edit: Troffa - you beat me to it!) Cheers Dennis

You are very welcome Cheers Dennis

Just had to, but will wait to get my eye fixed before I start it. Cheers Dennis

The pattern to me looks pretty close to the official scheme, close enough for government work, maybe some tweaks on the tail. Cheers Dennis

It's the old saying "How do you eat an elephant", the answer is one bite at a time. Cheers Dennis

I have quite a collection of Edgar's comments and refer to them all the time, I looked up the origins of Ocean Grey this very morning and found a Britmodeller thread that he contributed to from 2011 with some excellent information. Definately sorely missed Dennis

Red doped patches over the gun ports, nice article here from Britmodeller. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235056137-red-doped-linen-over-the-gun-ports/ This one is predominately about Spitfires but does have a Hurricane IIb photo showing the patches, which came in a sticky backed roll. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235029913-spitfire-rearming-and-gun-muzzle-patch-application-films/ Cheers Dennis

Great build, love the finish and restrained but realistic weathering. Cheers Dennis

Nothing exciting, just stuff for the future builds, Yahu Hurricane IP and Eduard masks and P40 Quinta cockpit details and Kits World decals, plus the Airscale prop decals. Cheers Dennis

Absolutely amazing, what a great build, all aspects of it, the figures really add some more interst to it as well. Cheers Dennis

Fascinating reading, what a huge mess to clear up, the disposal of chemical weapons is scary reading. Cheers Dennis

Looking through my Hurricane referances, the only change was the anti dazzle shields. Up to the middle of November 1940 the night fighters were finished in the same scheme as the day fighters, then they were finished in a Night finish, this lasted until 1942. Mk. II Hurricanes were used as night fighters and night intruders, the former in all black finish and the latter in grey green upper surfces with smooth night undersides. The Mk.II Hurricane could also carry 44 gallon underwing tanks or bombs. Cheers Dennis

This is the Science museum Mk.I, and looking at other Hurricane photos there is a gap. Cheers Dennis

Now that looks pretty good to me, coming along nicely. Cheers Dennis

Looking good, I'm glad the Yahu IP fits well as I have one on the way from Hannants, I've used the Yahu stuff before and really like it. Cheers Dennis

Great write up, I'm looking forward to getting my grubby mitts on one, once Hannants gets them in. Cheers Dennis

That Val really looks the part, roll on. Cheers Dennis

Looks like you have landed on your feet, the house looks great so enjoy moulding it to how you want it. Cheers Dennis

I was on the Hannants website checking for the sttus of my Kotare Spitfire order when I strayed and ordered this: I don't normally build Luftwaffe stuff but now and again I will build one as a stress free build, which means I don't have to worry too much about accuracy just get on with the build. Besides I find the desert scheme very attractive. Cheers Dennis

Yes that IP looks very much like a 1960's Revell effort which is a shame as the rest of the kit looks so good, I'll probably use a Yahu IP on mine as they look really good and tend to fit. They do IP's for Hurricane Mk. I, IIB and IIC. Cheers Dennis

Now that really does look the part, nice job. Cheers Dennis

Now that looks good, I always prefer a positive attachment on parts rather than just dabbing glue on. Cheers Dennis