Hasegawa 1/32 Spitfire MkVI High Altitude fighter.

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys,
Been talked into doing a Spit for a local GB. The veterans or old builders were discussing planes and one mentioned that all these years he had never built the iconic Spit. Many others also confessed not having a Spit on the shelf myself included having only built two in my lifetime not including my first unpainted attempt dripping with glue, wings almost enhydral Airfix 1/24 kit. Some of you might have seen the two that I built, one an old Airfix and an ICM kit with added engine details, both 1/48.
Anyway since we gave ourselves a month to knock one up, most of us are going OOB. Straight forward with as little mods or AM stuff added. I chose the old Hasegawa kit thats been gathering dust as it has the amazingly least parts I've ever seen in a kit but well detailed. Sad thing is it has raised panel lines which I made quick work with my MAD scribing tool.
Here are pics of where I'm at the moment from the beginning...
Test fitting and the fit is good for an aged kit.
Scribing begins...

Some riveting done with a needle...

First coat of paint for the interior...

Getting the Bakelite seat in the right color...

That's it...wash and weathering next.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Steven000]

Nice work so far Richard, the scribing looks great

 

[adt70hk]

Looking very good already!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Nice!

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks Guys, not going overboard with this build. I have only two weeks left to finish it.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Andy the Sheep]

Very nice start, Richard.
I have a 1:32 Revell Harrier GR1 in my stash which is an old kit too, with raised panel lines.
I planned to ignore the rescribing as I'm a bit lazy , but your approach to the raised panel lines problem and your nice results is slowly but steadily changing my mind.
Erase and rewind?

Andrea

 

[colin m]

Only a month for a GB, I like the sound of that, a bit of pressure to get finished. It's all looking very good so far Richard.

 

[Jim R]

So much going on on your bench Richard. Good progress on this oldie. The needle riveting is very effective. Is it just pushing fairly hard on the needle? Is the needle in some kind of holder? Very good anyway.

 

[rtfoe]

Very nice start, Richard.
I have a 1:32 Revell Harrier GR1 in my stash which is an old kit too, with raised panel lines.
I planned to ignore the rescribing as I'm a bit lazy , but your approach to the raised panel lines problem and your nice results is slowly but steadily changing my mind.
Erase and rewind?

Andrea

Thanks Andrea, glad it has reversed your thought to scribe.

Only a month for a GB, I like the sound of that, a bit of pressure to get finished. It's all looking very good so far Richard.

Pressure it sure is...I have less time having started late but am persevering.

So much going on on your bench Richard. Good progress on this oldie. The needle riveting is very effective. Is it just pushing fairly hard on the needle? Is the needle in some kind of holder? Very good anyway.

That's why I have three benches to work on Jim. Needle is pushed in hard, it's actually a needle from a divider and held in a pin vice.

Okay here are some progress shots. One of the members shared a site of a restored Spit that had beautiful detailed images which opened a can of worms for me. I just had to improve on the seat...

Starts out with the missing parts like the flare cartridge holder and parachute pan holder made from tubing and thick plastic strip.
I taped the seat back to fill with two part putty for the leather cushion.
First pass of sculpting...with the professional sculpting tool next to it.
Sanded down the pan...

Second pass sculpting broader ridges and adding the cut out detail for holding the seat belt strap.
Removed the cushion after it cured and drilled out the seat bottom to take the pan.

All painted up...only to paint the many eyelets at the edges of the seat.
Some detail to the IP with just dry brushing white and pin washing with diluted black ink. The seat belt harness is masking tape and cut plastic strip.
The longest process is always the cockpit and I need that closed up to move on. All that BOOB just went out the window.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Neil Merryweather]

Ooh Richard you spoil us!

 

[Jim R]

That is excellent. A huge improvement.

 

[scottie3158]

Richard, up to your normal magic as normal.

 

[rtfoe]

Ooh Richard you spoil us!

That is excellent. A huge improvement.

Richard, up to your normal magic as normal.

Thank you Neil, Jim and Scottie,
Not rotten yet...there are other builders who can take it even further. I try as much as I can.

Anyway, rivets enhanced and testing the seat belts.

Scratchbuilt the harness couplings that attach to the rear bulkhead.

Above that is one of the lap seatbelts.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

More photos...

And partly in the cockpit...


Cheers,
Richard

 

[JR]

WOW impressive stuff Richard, and exactly what we come to expect from you .

 

[rtfoe]

Whoah...John, thank you. What a comment...I hope I don't falter along the way.
Just painted the scratched seat belts. Still need to drill the other two belts and paint the eyelets.

I think they need lightening a bit.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[JayCee]

Very nice, Richard. Extremely clean painting in the "pit".
John.

 

[rtfoe]

Very nice, Richard. Extremely clean painting in the "pit".
John.

Thanks John...cleanliness is next to a nice looking cockpit.

Closing her up now after I glue on the sight.

Had to drill the right side of the seat to take the bottom seat belt. Funny thing is the left doesn't have the hole.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Hi again, just checking the dehydral by applying tape...

Then realising that everything basically is partially hidden except for the seat and harness detail.


Cheers,
Richard

 

[Jim R]

That cockpit looks superb Richard. Looks as if the fuselage halves have gone together well.