Peterpools

These past few weeks, some interesting kits and accessories have arrived. All the photographs were found online. The kits were all purchased on ebay at excellent prices. Zero Paints were purchased from Hiroboy in the UK. Indycal Decals were also purchased

Gaz I know he surely can

Kev Nice progress and looking mighty good.

Thanks Gaz and you're 100% correct. Just can't understand why they can't get what seems as a simple part to fit and all the incredibly detailed parts, fit perfectly 🙃

Thanks Hubert, guess you saw my note to myself. I do have a tendency to forget things at 74 but notes help save the day. I'm going to bookmark your post as I can always use the help and reminders.

Thanks Carl Holy Smokes, nine Spits, now that's something and could be more then John has done. This is my third Tamiya Spit, I just love them and like you, the leading-edge inserts are a pain. I just wonder why Tamiya chose to go that route?

Much appreciated Mark Feels strange not doing a gloss finish but the Spitfire is just an iconic aircraft and Tamiya the benchmark of Spitfire kits in my book. I only wish I could come half as close as to what comes off your bench.

Thanks Dennis and completely agree, when your build schedule always, pully one out of the stash and enjoy awesome kit.

Thanks John Totally enjoying the Spit and you know me, nothing like a Tamiya kit a relaxing and enjoyable build, which is just the opposite of your Helldiver.

Rob Remarkable work and she is looking OH so Good. Reading through your description of your update, it's almost in a foreign language and yet I have no problems following and understanding your every step.

The Major Components I’ve been pushing ahead completing most of the major assemblies and started sanding some seams and filler where needed. Did I say filler and Tamiya in the same sentence … you bet ya and no question, I was a bit too aggressive and sloppy in spots with the various sanding sticks and sponges and the result was some filler would be needed. I finished the front office, added the interior tailwheel assemble the tailwheel fitting. I decided to leave off a few of the more delicate interior parts that I would still be able to break or knock off and would add them later on, when it would be safe to do so. Part fit was right on the money and as with most Tamiya kits, paint left on the mating surfaces would need to be removed or the parts will not fit together correctly: excellent, solid engineering. The fuselage halves were now glued up, taped together tightly and left to dry a good 48 hours to be on the safe side. I’m becoming a fan of Revell Contacta Professional Glue for internal glue areas and large flat area where Extra Thin has its issues and put it to good use as needed. With the fuselage drying, I went to work on the wings which required knowing which of the three aircraft is being modeled: Scheme A: D GE. I’ve gone through the instructions a few times now, carefully highlighting the correct parts and which holes need to be drilled out out for my specific aircraft. There is an abundance of parts that are not used, which are not only dependent on the specific aircraft being replicated but there are frets/sprues common to all three of the Tamiya Spitfire kits, with specific parts for each mark on the frets. Go slow and double check. I worked my way through the “E Wing” which is the clipped wing for my Spit and care needs to be taken, as there are so many options. All the control surfaces were built with each having their own set of PE hinges, allowing them to be moveable. I have everything working but my plan is once the Spit is assembled, I’ll position the control surfaces and then glue them solidly in place. Yup, my one big bugaboo on a good deal of WWII aircraft is the MG leading edge plugs which never seem to fit, at least for me. Not shown in the photographs is the Mighty Merlin 60, which is now basically assembled and painted semi gloss black. Since Tamiya used the basic Merlin in three kits: three Spitfires, three Mustangs and the Mosquito and Merlin’s were manufactured on both sides of the pond, there are again a lot of extra parts which are not used depending on which Merlion for which aircraft. A few more parts need to be painted and added to the bottom of the cockpit framing. Quinta's IP does look mighty good Working my way through the wing assemblies and making notes for myself. All the fcontrol surfaces are now done and ready for polishing and primer. Additional parts and assemblies in various stages. The only injector pin marks that needed any attention were the three in the front of the radiator housing and I doubt if I didn't remove them, you could actually see them on the finished model

Gaz Looking so good. Some mighty fine progress.

Enjoy the skies and she is so beautiful. My flying days have long been over, but the dreams are never gone.

John What's the next project schedule or your bench?

Rob WOW, you're back and rolling. The strops look so good and I'm willing to bet you found a couple of John's cuss words during their construction. Mast platforms also look right on the money and nice to see everything aligned so well.

Bill Some mighty nice work on the masking and decals - missiles are looking so good.

Gaz Holy Cow, does she look good in cammo and glad to see the dio base underway.

John You've gone where very few have gone before and absolutely stellar work. I've been with you for the entire journey, your patience and skills to bring the Helldiver across the line is nothing short of remarkable. She does look brilliant but for me, way too much work. Beautifully done🏆

John Amazing build and just incredible determination to bring the Helldiver across the line - a true testament to both your building skills and 'can do' attitude ❗

Kev Right with Kai and always terrific to follow builds of unique subjects. Nice start and I'm along for the journey.

Thanks John Fuselage is together and hopefully the next update this weekend,

John Just never ending

Kev Beautiful work. Fit, finish and weathering are right on the money

John Looking good and one more step closer to winding up this project

Gaz Detailing does look good and it takes awhile to develop your soldering skills. Many years ago, I was into model railroading and I found myself soldering all the time, adding detail brass parts to the engines ( most cast steam engines), with the hand laid track and turnouts. What I found worked best in situations you are dealing with, would be to carefully tape the framework down on my soldering board, lay the mesh in place, taping it in place as well. Then with a tinned soldering iron, I would 'tack solder' enough point to hold everything basically in place. Remove the tape and solder the rest. On the engines, I would tin the part, hold it in place with my tweezers and then just apply enough heat with the soldering iron to allow the solder to flow. It did take time to become comfortable. learning how to do all of this but now, when I need to solder, it's like meeting an old friend. Doing track work was somewhat the same as I either use jigs to hold the turnouts in place while I soldered the individual pieces and the electrical was done by tinning as well. Most important of all, is not to use too much heat as things happen way to fast. My money is riding on you that a few more tries and you'll have this down pat.