About a year has
passed since I last submitted anything to this site, and I have finally got
round to writing up this article about the Spitfire MK 1A I completed a few
months back. This is only my third ever model that I have completed, and it
was the discovery of this website that started me off really. Feel free to check
out my other two aircraft, (1/24 Airfix Ju88 Stuka and the 1/24 Airfix
Messerschmitt 109E ). But now its time for me to focus on the build of Spitfire
MK 1A, which is the latest edition to my collection.
The Build
The build took me
around six months in total to complete, what with everything else I had to fit
into my spare time as well. The overall fit of the model was great with
only a tiny amount of filler used on the hairline gaps of the wing joints
to improve the overall appearance of the MK1A. The problem I found on my
previous model was that the canopy along with the engine cowling did not fit
snug at all! (big problem for me being a tad of a perfectionist!!!),
countless hours were taken up correcting this problem with careful usage of
filler, and I preyed this nightmare would not return with the
Spitfire... Thank heavens it didn't!
Click on
images below to see larger images
Paint
The trusted Humbrol
enamels were used once again to provide me with a suitable coluor scheme for the
Spitfire, not looking to harsh or to subtle. The only change I decided upon
making was the choice of colour for the underside of the aircraft. After
doing much research on the ARC site, I noticed a few people, rather
than using white for the underside of the MK1A, they used a Beige Green (Humbrol
90) which provided a great alternative, and in my opinion the colour tied in
better with the entire model once completed. Again using ARC as an
inspiration tool I took the time to add more of a worn and battle
hardened look with the use of Humbrol 11 metalic silver to pick out
paint chipping around the wing and fuselage area (pictured).
Decaling
The decals that came
with the kit showing the markings of Flt. Lt. A. C. Deere D.F.C of No. 54
Fighter Squadron based at Hornchurch in 1940 proved to be very easy to work
with. Once positioned on top of Humbrol Satin Finish and allowed to dry over
night a further coat of Satin was applied over the top, setting the decals
nicely into the recesses of the panel lines to the aircraft, providing a
non-silvered finish which looked realistic and complemented the Mk1A greatly.
Being somewhat new
to this hobby and at an age of 18, I am always open to suggestions on
how to improve. Feel free to look at the pictures I have taken, and drop me
an email if you wish to express your views. I'm due to start yet another Spitfire
soon, this time the MK VB... and I can only hope to improve further with
the comments I receive and with further use of this site for guidance by
other modelers. Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures. Back to the modeling
table for me!
Marc
Gray
Click on
images below to see larger images
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