denders

I haven't physically started, but I think these are the markings/aircraft I'm going to model. Lots of colors. I'm in the progress of deciding what color I'm going to use to be RLM 77 since MRP doesn't make it in their lacquer line. They do have it in their aqua line, but I don't want to mix paint types.

The seat belts have arrived, so it's time to get busy.

Okay, the HGW seat belts have arrived. The 1Man Army masks arrived last week. I guess it's time to really get started. I have not used either of the items before. Adventures here we come.

These came today. I'll have to spend some time and choose which aircraft.

Working away on the flaps yet. Slowly. These are the mirrored pieces that go into the wing. Should be interesting cutting the plastic. I really didn't plan the picture, but you can see where the cut out is located. I did receive the decal sheet that I ordered. They are DKdecals 32005. There are three aircraft shown in the colors that I want to use. There are markings for 12 Spitfires total. There is one Spitfire V, two Spitfire VI, four Spitfire IX, and five Spitfire VII. I've read that by the middle to late June '44 the extended wing tips had been removed, and they were repainted in the gray/green camouflage scheme. So, I'm going to paint this one Medium Sea Gray over PRU Blue with D-Day stripes. The stripes were 9" in the case of these aircraft. Since I have a Cameo cutter, I can pretty much mark it whatever particular aircraft that I want. And the 'Squadrons' book shown above contains a thorough list of matching Serial Numbers/Squadron codes too. I will stick to 131 Squadron because I have the impression that they were all the desired paint scheme around D-Day. It should be fun.

Okay, almost time to get started. I'm still waiting for a set of decals. I want to see what information it contains about the specific aircraft represented on the sheet before finally selecting a particular subject. I also started looking through the Barracuda resin addons that were in the kit. That will take some time to create a plan on what to use and what I'm not going to use. I've also found some variations in the colors. The top color is either referred to as Medium Gray or Medium Sea Gray. I'm assuming both references are really the same. The underside color has been called out at Azure Blue or PRU Blue. Obviously, they're not the same. I'll also note that I found color references to the Prototype VII noting that it was PRU Blue on top and Dark Sky undersides. Soooo, I decided to start with the PE flap set. I'll see how well I get them built before I do any cutting on the model.

This came this afternoon. It appears that Squadrons 124, 131, 154, and 616 used the Mk. VII. Squadrons 131 and 154 used the paint scheme that I'm interested in modeling. But I'll wait 'til the Osprey book and the decal set arrive before deciding which specific aircraft I'll model.

The remaining AM has arrived, so I guess it's time to start.

I happened upon this Osprey book that I don't have. It's on the way. Looks like it should have some useful information. I also found this photo on the internet.

Thanks!

Okay, where do I find that book? And what color is that aircraft? And thanks!

This is for a GB elsewhere but I'm going to share it here too. For those who are interested, this is the contents of the box. Now, I'm patiently awaiting the decal sheet from AIMS so I can choose a subject and be sure of the options available in the kit. BTW, this will be my first Kotare kit to build. I do have some of the Spitfires in the stash.

So, it's done. The room and table that I use for taking RFI photos is piled with Christmas decorations and will have to wait 'til the decorating is done and the containers put back in the storage area. But here are a few photos on the work bench.

I may be getting a bit too much with what I'm starting (P-40 and Bf 109K (GB elsewhere)) but here goes. I like the 'pointy' vertical tail and the extended wings. Unfortunately, the markings in the kit use one or the other. And it appears that is the case for the MK. VIII. But it appears that the MK. VII used both. So, some more research into any differences is in order. I picked up this kit at the IPMS Murfreesboro show in November. The box contained a bunch of AM that the original purchaser had added and I have additional AM on order.

Thanks, Chris! After I've installed the radio antenna, I'm going to call it finished.