Tamiya Spitfire MK XVIe

[Peterpools]

Thanks John

 Very much appreciated. Seems, once the paint and decal issue were mostly resolved, typical, awesome Tamiya. I'm hoping to finish the Spitfire in the next few days, do all the final photography and then get ready for my next build, which I've been waiting a good long time to do.

 

 

[JohnB]

1 hour ago, Peterpools said:

Thanks John

 Very much appreciated. Seems, once the paint and decal issue were mostly resolved, typical, awesome Tamiya. I'm hoping to finish the Spitfire in the next few days, do all the final photography and then get ready for my next build, which I've been waiting a good long time to do.

 

 

And what is the next build Peter?

[Peterpools]

Special Hobby 1/32 Westland Whirlwind. I actually have the paints, seatbelts and canopy mask set; I'm ready to go.

 

[JohnB]

57 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Special Hobby 1/32 Westland Whirlwind. I actually have the paints, seatbelts and canopy mask set; I'm ready to go.

 

Alright! I have one in my stash and I'll certainly be keeping up with your build. Maybe that will give me the needed incentive to build it. What scheme do you plan on doing, grey/green or earth/green?

[Peterpools]

One of the early versions: Dark Green and Dark Brown. Kit decals are Cartograph!

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Lovely Spitfire Peter. Glad to hear you got everything solved. It was well worth the effort. 

I've got the Whirlwind in the stash too. Need to start that one one day. 

Carl

[GazzaS]

Very sharp presentation, Peter.

[DocRob]

Precious Spitfire you built there Peter. The finish looks fantastic, but I have question marks in my head about your interior decor. If your carpet monster is able to swallow large scale wheels, I would be afraid to even walk over it. One of that seventies nasties? 
Anyway, as much as I like the iconic elegance of the Spit, especially the XVI bubble top, I never liked it's looks with the landing gear out, probably the reason, why I never built one . (I know there is a stand in the box and a risen UC option)
A ME BF-109 looks also silly on wheels, but then, the total design is not so appealing, compared to the Spitfire.

Cheers Rob

[Spitfire]

That looks every inch a Spitfire, a tremendous job done well.

And a Whirlwind on the way, one of my favourite subjects, I've waited years for someone to fetch out a 1/32 scale kit, in desperation I even built the 1/48 Classic Airframes Whirlwind but it did not do much to scratch the itch.

Cheers

Dennis

[Peterpools]

Thanks Carl, it's been a journey for sure and even with the decal issues, it's been a fun build. Always nice to know I haven't lost my touch on 'How to Strip Paint' and give it a second try. I'm still working on learning to use masks and they would have made the build so much easier if I only practiced before hand. 

Looking forward to the Whrilwind as it is one of those aircraft I always wanted to build and add to the collection. 

 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Gaz

I'm slowly getting to the finish line and hopefully by the end of the weekend, the Spitfire can be parked out on the flightline, headed for the display case. 

 

 

[Peterpools]

Rob

Very much appreciated, as painting and decaling are my favorite parts of any build. Barring any unforeseen issues, she should hopefully be in the display case by Sunday night. believe me, I've had the carpet monster consume large parts then a model wheel - I have no idea how but it's the truth - could be old age sneaking up. 

I've loved airplanes my entire life, a pilot since 1970 and I completely agree, no airplane looks as good sitting on the ground as she does up in the air. Even fixed gear airplanes look so much better with the wind beneath their wings. It's like a bird: flying or standing - the beauty is in the air. 

I've sometimes thought about doing a few in flight builds but just never seem to actually get there.

 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Dennis so very much. Just a wonderful kit and even with the few issues, has been so rewarding. Looking at my display case, there are more 32nd scale Spitfires and Mustangs then all the other models combined. Just can never have enough Spitfires and Mustangs - thank goodness for Tamiya.

Right with you, as I've always thought the Whirlwind was a gorgeous looking fighter and always wanted to build one in 32nd scale. I jumped at the Special Hobby kit when it was released and just always seemed to have something else to build first but no longer, as the Whirlwind is already on the bench and ready to go.

 

 

[Bomber_County]

Stunning build as ever Peter, utterly flawless, congrats. Looking forward to the Whirlwind, have ever seen one completed yet especially fuss was made when it came out. The Whirlwind was my second ever kit, Airfix 1/72 in bagged header format…………

[Peterpools]

Thanks Phil, very much appreciated. The Spitfire should be finished this weekend (🤞) and then on to the Whirlwind. I'm with you as so much was said about the kit, so few builds and I've only seen one completed. Can't wait to get going on it.

 

[BlrwestSiR]

4 hours ago, DocRob said:

I never liked it's looks with the landing gear out, probably the reason, why I never built one . (I know there is a stand in the box and a risen UC option)

The one problem I had with the Tamiya stand is it's not dynamic. It holds the model straight and level. I used one on my Spitfire VIII but I carefully bent the vertical support so that it has a slight angle to it. Not sure how week it shows in the pic but to me, it looks much better. 

Carl

[DocRob]

7 minutes ago, BlrwestSiR said:

The one problem I had with the Tamiya stand is it's not dynamic. It holds the model straight and level. I used one on my Spitfire VIII but I carefully bent the vertical support so that it has a slight angle to it. Not sure how week it shows in the pic but to me, it looks much better. 

That's beautiful Carl. I thought about a twin display with my two Eduard Spitfire XVI's. One flying in a post war racer outfit above one in camo on the ground, with open cowlings to show all my Brassin goodies.

Cheers Rob

[Peterpools]

Carl

Your Spit in the flight mode looks great. Please take a few more pics.

 

[KevinM]

She is Sweet Looking Peter really want to see those finished pics with your camera skills at hand.

[Peterpools]

Thanks Kev and shall do. A day or so more and the Spitfire should be done and ready for her photo op.

 

[belugawhaleman]

You did a wonderful job on the Spitfire Peter, it looks great!

[Peterpools]

Thanks Paul,

I'm in the home stretch and working on all the small parts I left until the end.

 

[HubertB]

On 8/19/2022 at 9:09 AM, DocRob said:

…
Anyway, as much as I like the iconic elegance of the Spit, especially the XVI bubble top, I never liked it's looks with the landing gear out, probably the reason, why I never built one . (I know there is a stand in the box and a risen UC option)
A ME BF-109 looks also silly on wheels, but then, the total design is not so appealing, compared to the Spitfire.

Cheers Rob

I am with you, Rob. Both the 109 or Spit looks so much better in flight without the undercarriage visible. 
Mind you, this feeling is also true, albeit 10 times more, for the F-22. All wrong from all angles on the ground, and great-looking in flight.

Very nice progress on the Spit, Peter. I always enjoy watching your builds. Looking forward to the completed pics.

Hubert

[Peterpools]

Thanks Hubert, always glad you are along for the journey. Completely agree with both you and Rob, most aircraft look their best in their natural environment with the sky surrounding them. To my eyes, some do look nearly as good resting on their gear: B-47, B-58, Pitts Special S-1 and a J3 Cub to name a few.

 

[Peterpools]

FINISHED AND ACROSS THE LINE

Tamiya’s awesome Spitfire Mk XVIe has rolled across the line and ready to take her place in the display case.

The final steps to completion:

The Barracuda resin wheels have been tweaked and glued to the struts.

The Canopy:

The intricate and delicate Barracuda resin canopy latch has been added and the rearview mirror has met its fate and most likely devoured by the carpet monster.

Both the pitot tube and IFF Antenna were added.

The small upper spine antenna (unlabeled as to what the antenna actually is for) had had the locating hole drilled out and then added (stretched sprue).

The Merlin’s 12 exhausts were painted, glued in place and lightly weathered. Hardest part of the engine assembly

The last of the canons painting completed and waiting some additional light weathering.

And at this point, I’m calling the Spitfire done and in the books.

Another fantastic Tamiya kit and except for the decal issue, a flawless kit. All the pitfalls were my own doing and I was lucky that the fancy backtracking of striping the paint back to bare plastic and correct what I thought was incorrect colors, didn’t cause any damage. 

A wonderful and rewarding build.