NOVAModeler

Sorry, I put the finished model on the progrees thread. Hope it's okay to post here too... Here is the final result of my 1:32 Spit, not my usual scale - takes up too much space, and time, but I loved this one nevertheless. Some details: Extras used: Scratch built cockpit and engine plumbing, Barracuda cannon blisters, Barracuda Cockpit Upgrade set, Barracuda Seat, HGW fabric seat belts, HGW wet transfer stencils, Maketar wing roundel masks (but Tamiya decals for fuselage markings) Iconicair Rolls Royce name plates Paints and colours used: Tamiya XF-81/82/83, Alclad copper, various Tamiya acrylics, Microscale/Lifecolor flat coat. I aimed to expand my comfort zone with new products and techniques. Much has been said about this kit, so I won't go into detail, but it is, together with Tamiya's 1:32 P-51, the best kits I've ever built. Well worth it. Here are some pics. Thanks for looking guys!

And after a long interruption (Sorry, I'm simply too busy to always post an entire build), here is the final result. 1:32 is not my usual scale - takes up too much space, and time, but I loved this one nevertheless. Some details: Extras used: Scratch built cockpit and engine plumbing, Barracuda cannon blisters, Barracuda Cockpit Upgrade set, Barracuda Seat, HGW fabric seat belts, HGW wet transfer stencils, Maketar wing roundel masks (but Tamiya decals for fuselage markings) Iconicair Rolls Royce name plates Paints and colours used: Tamiya XF-81/82/83, Alclad copper, various Tamiya acrylics, Microscale/Lifecolor flat coat. I aimed to expand my comfort zone with new products and techniques. Much has been said about this kit, so I won't go into detail, but it is, together with Tamiya's 1:32 P-51, the best kits I've ever built. Well worth it. Here are some pics. Thanks for looking guys!

Hi guys, turns out the Tamiya kit's decals work just fine, so I used them for some of the markings while I sprayed some. Through an act of stupidity, I damaged the one "EN 398" decal. Does anybody have these lying around? Would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Paul, I just saw this - sorry. In the meantime, for the C1's I used Tamiya decals and they performed flawlessly (!)

Thanks, excellent answer Matt. At least I know it's not my stupidity

Hi guys, I've been trying out Alek's Maketar Kabuki masks for my Spitfire Mk IX build and have been running into a couple of issues with the multi-color (roundel) markings: 1) The masks are incredibly tacky, and applying and them and removing them necessitates a lot of pulling, which are deforming them. 2) Due to the fragile nature, "de-tacking" them on my skin results in damage to the masks too, by getting the elements separated. This is despite following the advice of holding them together with a length of masking tape. They still come apart from each other and the piece of tape holding them. 3) Since they're so sticky, I managed to pull off paint with the one center round mask for the wing roundels. 4) Also due to their tackiness, repositioning also requires a lot of tension to pull them off the surface repeatedly. (The outside frame obscures one's view so it's basically guesswork and trial and error until it's in the correct position). I still need to do the most challenging ones - the fuselage roundels - 4 colors! Am I doing something wrong? How would one pull off and re-apply and pull off again the outside ring mask for the yellow, for example, without totally messing it up? Thanks for any advice! Vivian

Just been looking at this since I have two to build. You did excellent work as always. Which decals were used? I can't seem to find where you said.

Thanks Cees and Dave. Order placed. Building the Mk IX

Thanks Dave! Do you know that they (iconicair) are still in business? I emailed them but got a "Error 404" after hitting submit. I don't want to part with $10 and never receive the parts. (It's too late for the Barracuda option since the engine is done).

Does anyone know of a current source for the Rolls Royce name plates for the Tamiya Spitfire IX? I didn't use the Barracuda parts.

Help me out - what hurdle? edited - oh for the Group Build...

Not sure I still can - didn't snap pics all along, especially the start.

Hi guys I've been busy on this one for about a month. Wish there was more time. Absolutely love the kit. It is my second Tamiya 1:32 (after P-51D) and although I chose to do JE J, it's more a way to try new things, out of my comfort zone, e.g. scratch building, paint masks, fabric belts etc. The aftermarket goodies used: Barracuda cannon covers and one of the cockpit sets HGW seat belts HGW wet transfer stencils Maketar masks I also added some wiring to the cockpit: Wire details added to engine using some magnet wire, lead free flytie wire and Evergreen rod: Airframe pretty much done and ready for priming: Thanks for looking!

Weird thing - I don't know what happened - the pics only show with direct pasting of IMG links into message - not with image button on LSM. Ignore my post

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Hi guys, For the distinctive copper pipes seen in Spitfire (I'd doing the Tamiya Mk IXc early), Tamiya specifies to paint them XF-71 green. I often see these unpainted in photos of warbirds and builds online. Does anyone know (Edgar?) whether these were actually painted on a wartime Mk IXc? Say Johnny Johnson's JE J? Thanks guys VW

Ok thanks, I already used XF-10 and black and it looks good to me.

Yes, that's the plan. Which brown do you use?

Thanks Rick. I prefer faster drying, so will spray the thin acrylic wash

Hi guys, I just finished my first set of HGW seat belts. What is a good mix for a wash? I heard oils wash but how thin? What color? Alternative to oil paint? Thanks!

Thanks guys, I will just build JE J and use the MAKETAR masks, as well as HGW wet transfer stencils. That way I will follow the Tamiya directions but not use their $hitty decals.

Fantastic results for 12 year of inactivity! Well done. I have two of these in my 52-kit stash and am looking forward again to get to them.

Very neat build, and pretty fast! I'm building that one now but couldn't resist aftermarket stuff! Lovely kit.

You would need to take those kids along Rick

Thanks everyone. I don't have a readily available source for old electric parts. Good ideas though.