Tamiya Spitfire MK XVIe

[BlrwestSiR]

Fantastic progress Peter. .

I'm glad to hear you're going to give masks a try and practice with them some more. They may not always be easy but I'm sure you'll master it.

Carl

[Martinnfb]

Ultra precise work Peter, I wouldn't expect anything less , beauty 

[HubertB]

Very nice Peter. With all their excellence in kit design, Tamiya’s decals are not known for being their forte. Your build just proves it, again …

Hubert

[GazzaS]

VEry pretty, Peter.  Seems it would almost be a shame to weather it.

[Peterpools]

Thanks Carl. I'm going to keep practicing and when the next opportunity arises, I'll be ready and much better prepared.

 

 

[Peterpools]

Martin, Very much appreciated.

It took a while to get all this straightened out but I'm glad I kept at it, as now the Spit is looking as she should. I can see the finish l;ine not to far distant.

 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Hubert and I'm in complete agreement.  

After all these years, I just do not understand why Tamiya add a few dollars to the kit and go Cartograf and those masks - geez let's dye cut them already. Just couldn't add that much to an expensive kit. 

 

[Peterpools]

Much appreciate Gaz and I always wind up feeling the same about weathering my builds. I'll do a bit here and there but looks like that is going to be about all I usually do.

 

  

[JohnB]

Looks great Peter. Very attractive! Well done.

If you need decals let me know as it's likely I have what you need in my decal stash.

[Peterpools]

Thanks John, so very much appreciated. I'm just glad Tamiya is sending a full replacement set that I'll add to the other Spit I borrowed from.

 

[Bomber_County]

Can I said “told you so” perfect as ever……..😃……congrats 

[Peterpools]

Phil

So very much appreciated and nothing as so tough as living up to an "I told you so" 😉

 

[Kaireckstadt]

She’s a real beauty Peter! I have the MK IX in my stash and hope it will turn out as gorgeous as yours once I build it.

[Drifter]

Looking very good Peter. I have seen so many complaints about Tamiya decals, I have never had any issues, bar for one kit that was really old. In any case, there are so many AM decal kits out there. You did very well on your build. 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Kai, so greatly appreciated. I'm positive when you build you Spitfire, it will easily surpass my efforts in detail and finish. Looking forward to your build down the line.

 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Drifter. Like you, I've built so many Tamiya kits over the years, I lost count and the only two I've had decal issues with was the Spitfire and the F-16 Viper. In both cases, the decals cracked and shattered and Tamiya replaced both sets. In each case the kits had been released for a number of years before I bought them and there is the possibility they sat in a hot and humid warehouse for an extended period before they become part of my stash. Other older Tamiya kits I've bought, no issues at all. Looking at it on the bright side, Tamiya Customer Service handle my warranty/replacement requests quickly and at no cost - couldn't ask for more.

  

[JohnB]

5 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Thanks Drifter. Like you, I've built so many Tamiya kits over the years, I lost count and the only two I've had decal issues with was the Spitfire and the F-16 Viper. In both cases, the decals cracked and shattered, and Tamiya replaced both sets. In each case the kits had been released for a number of years before I bought them and there is the possibility they set in a hot and humid warehouse for an extended period before they become part of my stash. Other older Tamiya kits I've bought, no issues at all. Looking at it on the bright side, Tamiya Customer Service handle my warranty/replacement requests quickly and at no cost - couldn't ask for more.

  

Peter I've found that if I find there's going to be a problem like this I'll just brush the remaining decals with Micro Scale Liquid Decal Film. It drys fast and keeps those troublesome little mothers from shattering or cracking. Of course it won't help with whichever one(s) that have cracked or shattered already. 🙄

John

[Peterpools]

Thanks John, I'll pick up a bottle and test before decaling. Thanks for the tip - going to come in handy for sure.

 

[JohnB]

59 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Thanks John, I'll pick up a bottle and test before decaling. Thanks for the tip - going to come in handy for sure.

 

It will for sure Peter. It's saved plenty of my decals!

[mark31]

I love it great work Peter

 

Mark

[Peterpools]

Thanks Mark, very much appreciated.

I'm finally closing in on the finish line and it's been quite an unexpected jurney.

 

[DocRob]

Your Spit looks awesome Peter, great paintjob and finish. The Tamiya Porsche 935 has Cartograph decals on board, the Ducati I built as well, so there is hope. The Ford GT had pre cut masks, if I remember right, lets see what the future will bring.

Cheers Rob

[Peterpools]

Thanks Rob, very much appreciated.

Thank goodness there is hope that Tamiya will go the extra mile and start including Cartograph decals and dye cut masks in any new 32nd scale kits that might be coming our way. It seems so long since a new 32nd scale actually was released, especially if we don't count different versions that were already designed into existing kit as a new release. Fingers crossed

 

 

[Peterpools]

THE HOME STRETCH

Some nice progress over the past week. I decided to go with a mix of Alclad Clear Semi Matte and Flat (75/25) and then thinned with Self Leveling Thinners. No issues but the large white ID Letters seemed to ‘flake’ a bit, but what it is, it is – I’m just happy they are still in place and haven’t cracked any further.

Canopy and windscreen were unmasked and no issues to speak of and the canopy itself is just resting in place. The rearview mirror for the top of the windscreen and the canopy latch will be installed last, when I no longer have to handle the model, for sure as the sun sets in the west, I'll manage to break them off and the carpet monster will have a nice snack.

The kit’s cockpit dropdown door was removed as I used it for a mask and the finished Barracuda door was installed. A bit of finish work is still needed.

Fitting the tailwheel in place was a bit tricky and required any traces of paint to be removed from the assembly and all went well.

The main gear was installed as per the instructions and then the Barracuda resin wheels are just being test fitted, as they need some tweaking to fit the landing gear legs. So for now extra care has to be taken not to pick up the Spit and let the wheels feed the carpet monster as well.

From here, all that needs to be done after the gear is glued up, is add the numerous small parts I was holding off until the last stage of assembly and the Spitfire will be ready to roll across the finish line.

 

 

 

[JohnB]

1 hour ago, Peterpools said:

THE HOME STRETCH

Some nice progress over the past week. I decided to go with a mix of Alclad Clear Semi Matte and Flat (75/25) and then thinned with Self Leveling Thinners. No issues but the large white ID Letters seemed to ‘flake’ a bit, but what it is, it is – I’m just happy they are still in place and haven’t cracked any further.

Canopy and windscreen were unmasked and no issues to speak of and the canopy itself is just resting in place. The rearview mirror for the top of the windscreen and the canopy latch will be installed last, when I no longer have to handle the model, for sure as the sun sets in the west, I'll manage to break them off and the carpet monster will have a nice snack.

The kit’s cockpit dropdown door was removed as I used it for a mask and the finished Barracuda door was installed. A bit of finish work is still needed.

Fitting the tailwheel in place was a bit tricky and required any traces of paint to be removed from the assembly and all went well.

The main gear was installed as per the instructions and then the Barracuda resin wheels are just being test fitted, as they need some tweaking to fit the landing gear legs. So for now extra care has to be taken not to pick up the Spit and let the wheels feed the carpet monster as well.

From here, all that needs to be done after the gear is glued up, is add the numerous small parts I was holding off until the last stage of assembly and the Spitfire will be ready to roll across the finish line.

 

 

 

As expected Peter it's outstanding! Very well done!!!!