Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc (Tamiya)
Comments
15 3 August 2018, 19:29
Bill GilmanI've finally started my BIG project! I'm quite excited - I normally build in 1:72 scale but I received this kit as a gift when I was starting my last program of chemotherapy, and I've been acquiring aftermarket parts in the years since then. I really want to do justice to this kit. I used to build 1:32 scale all the time, but ran out of room to display them. Since the Spitfire is my favourite aircraft, I will make special room for this one when she's done. I've been studying the instructions from Tamiya, Barracuda, and Eduard to make sure I understand everything and can put together a good plan of attack. To start, I've opened up some lightening holes and have started adding some of the photoetch details to the cockpit. I'm also preparing parts for their initial coat of RAF interior grey-green. I think there are more parts in the cockpit alone than there were in the entirety of the last 1:72 model I built. 🙂
3 August 2018, 19:52
Murad ÖZERBill you will have tremendous fun with the kit, problem is once you built one of these new 32nd tamiyas you will eventually question if this is a scale model kit wtf were the rest?!
anyway enough philosophy, i did built the exact same kit and i can only recommend one thing: source aftermarket decals and/or masks for decals because the kit ones are simply terrible compared to the rest of the kit!
3 August 2018, 20:05
Peter HardyHi Bill, I don't normally follow aircraft builds closely but hell this is a MONSTER! I can't not follow. If you don't mind I'll make a cuppa and take a seat?
3 August 2018, 20:45
Bill GilmanThanks mates! @Murad, aftermarket decals are going to be used. I've had too much "fun" in the past with Tamiya stickers. 🙂
3 August 2018, 21:25
Michael HickeyThis will be an epic journey and I would love to come along for the ride.🙂
3 August 2018, 23:20
Bill SpargoIt is wonderful to watch a master at work, please dont stop adding snaps of each step of your models progress. It is inspirational to watch the progress.You have clearly devoted a great deal of time to research this magnificent machine to help make an accurate model. Look forward to watching the Spitfire become real with your skills.
4 August 2018, 12:35
Bill GilmanThanks, mates! This kit is incredible even without all that aftermarket stuff. I've sprayed some RAF interior grey-green over many of the parts for the cockpit, and I should have another update soon. I just need to get wifey to give me the time... 🙂
4 August 2018, 16:23
seb Hlove the spit too, this project is a big one, many stuff added, will follow 🙂
5 August 2018, 07:03
Tim van DooremalenLove the spit and got this one in my stash as well. Will be following closely 🙂
5 August 2018, 09:51
Bill GilmanI've built two instrument panels, one from the Eduard pre-painted photoetch, and the other from the kit parts and some decals from Barracuda. I posted a photo that compares them both - what would you choose? I have to admit that I strongly prefer the kit parts. I use Eduard pre-painted panels often in 1:72 (although I think those from Yahu are nicer) but they just don't look good enough for this scale. Or maybe I got a bad sample...
8 August 2018, 00:08
Bill SpargoI prefer the kit part, there is a lot more highlighted detail over the whole panel.Looks great.
8 August 2018, 03:20
Urban GardiniGo with the kit parts! Eduard's traditional PE isn't suited for this scale at all. They've come up with a new line that they call Löök that should be good but I've not seen those in the flesh but the photos look good at least.
8 August 2018, 10:23
Bill GilmanHi mates! I'm back from my annual sojourn at the cabin in the woods and getting back to work on the big Spitfire. You can check out the new photos. I'm looking at the cockpit as a model or project all on its own - I think that's the best not to get bogged down with the enormity of it all. I bought one of Eduard's new Löök instrument panels, but this one made it through their QC even though the printing was screwed up. Oops. They're sending me another one.
I got the rudder pedal assembly done, and have started to assemble the cockpit itself. Each one of the controls that are in the cockpit can be enhanced with further detailing, and I'm carefully choosing my battles here, concentrating mostly on those items most likely to be seen and make a difference. Hence, the pneumatic lines on the control column and the hydraulic lines on the gear quadrant. Since Eduard and Barracuda both include aftermarket for several of the controls, I have to decide which one to use. Essentially, Eduard's are photoetch and Baracuda's are resin. I've been splitting them about 50/50 so far.
Wish I was making faster progress, but still lots of summer family stuff to be done. I think we'll really start moving in the fall. Cheers, Bill
22 August 2018, 23:51
Bill GilmanI've added a few more photos. The cockpit is really starting to come together. Cheers!
31 August 2018, 13:27
Bart GoesaertSeem to have missed the start of this project... Compared to 1/72 I bet this one is HUGE... But as the other work I know from you it's also microdetailed, so I'm a follower too. With regards to the prepainted PE from Eduard, mostly I don't like it. Color changes, but also you can see the printdots in some of them. Prefer to handpaint these too, and making my own dials...
31 August 2018, 14:35
Peter HardyI'll go with pre-painted instrument panels though! Looking very impressive Bill.
31 August 2018, 21:59
Bill GilmanI think the cockpit is pretty much finished. Have a look at the new photos while I get ready to close up the fuselage. It was a lot of fun snaking the undercarriage hydraulic lines through the forward bulkhead on the starboard sidewall. Luckily I used a very malleable solder and they were easy to bend.
I decided to use the Yahu instrument panel. It looks much more realistic than the kit parts (which look pretty good to begin with). Eduard sent me a replacement "LooK" panel, for the one that was misprinted, but it just doesn't look right. It looks too new, if you know what I mean. The white printing on the dials is too bright, and the black of the panel is too dark. This makes for a high contrast look which to me is not convincing.
Eduard also made an error on the harness that comes with the LooK set, as the shoulder straps are spread too wide to allow the anchor strap to reach the rear bulkhead (see the photo). I had to do some "cutting and pasting" with the photoetch to make it fit properly. Very strange error on their part.
Tamiya do not include a headrest with the kit - do Mk.IX Spitfires not have one?
Cheers,
Bill
15 September 2018, 19:58
Peter HardyBill, my thoughts on the Eduard panel. I would think that making the panel clear and detailed would have been their primary focus after achieving accuracy. Would a wash lighten the black and dull down the white a bit? I haven't done any bloody thing as detailed as you have there so it is a question not advice.
15 September 2018, 23:12
Bill GilmanHi Peter, before I sanded down the misprinted panel for use as a backing plate, I tried a black Future wash. I did this just on the panel, and not the dials, and it helped a bit. The dials have a very nice clear gloss coating of some kind, and to tone down the white tics on the dials you would lose the clear gloss. Nevertheless, I then tried a highly thinned (80-20) misting of Gunze H95 Smoke Grey, followed by application of Future with a brush to try and bring back the clear gloss on just the dials.
I still preferred the Yahu panel, for these reasons: First, the dials looked more realistic, the tics had a smaller line weight (thickness) on the smaller dials, and many of the numerals could be read, albeit with a magnifier. On the Eduard panel, all tic marks are the same width regardless of the size of the dial, and they are quite thick to begin with. On the smaller dials, the tics encroach on themselves. Second, Eduard made no attempt to represent any characters - numerals and placard text are represented as white rectangles. I assume this is a limitation of their current printing process. I suspect they'll make it better as they go along. I hope so, because the 3D aspect of this panel is quite good, as it's a resin casting.
Cheers, Bill
16 September 2018, 21:57
Bill SpargoHi Bill, go to my albums, I have made an album with some photos showing some aircraft no head rest, one with small headrest and a couple with normal headrest. Hope the photos help. My conclusion is they varied from just the armour plate to normal headrest. Great photos of the project, the cockpit looks fantastic.
17 September 2018, 13:12
Bill GilmanThanks, Bill. The photos you've gathered support what I've learned about Mk.IX headrests. I have a copy of an article called "Five to Nine" with describes in detail the differences between the Mk.V and the Mk.IX. As we all know, the IX was originally derived from the Vc, and quite a few of the early IX's were Vc conversions. These seem to be the ones with headrests. In June 1942, Mod 662 deleted the headrest on all marks. Tamiya are right by not including a headrest. Now, why there seemed to be two different sizes of headrests on the earlier marks is unknown to me. Maybe a difference between Supermarine and Castle Bromwich builds?
18 September 2018, 12:45
Bill GilmanMore photos! The main components of the fuselage are now together. The fit of the parts is extraordinary. At this point, I may have a go at the engine as that's going to be a major project all on its own. Cheers, Bill
10 October 2018, 19:28
TreehuggerLooks like fun! I've slowly built up a desire go have a go at some 1:32 scale kit.
10 October 2018, 20:47
Bart GoesaertNice work, separate covers and no inner detail... what about the aftermarket industry? but then the lowered borders to mount these plates on could be less deep and have the mounting holes provided...
11 October 2018, 07:55
Holger KranichHey uncle Bill, what do i see here? 1:32? And such a nice one ? I´ll take a seat and make it myself comfortable! 🙂
11 October 2018, 08:01
Bill SpargoWonderful to watch a master builder in action, the model is looking great Bill. Well done, so much to learn from your build, thanks.
11 October 2018, 11:32
Bill GilmanI've added a few more photos to show the progress on the next sub-assembly, which is the Rolls Royce Merlin. Lots more photos to come as I start to detail the engine - there are a lot of hoses, electrical cables, ignition harness, and hydraulic lines to be added. A model of this size just begs for these extra details, especially since I plan on having the engine service panels off for display. Cheers, Bill
16 January 2019, 23:02
Bill GilmanI have finished the assembly of the Merlin powerplant. Take a look at the new photos and you can see how she looks. Being someone who normally builds in 1:72 scale, this big engine has been an education for me. I added a lot of extra details - coolant lines, ignition harnesses, electrical cables, hydraulic lines, etc. and I used some materials that I don't often use on the smaller kits. When you're building in 1:32 scale, though, these extra details are important. Anyway, I hope you like it.
The Eduard photoetch chafing strips on the cowling framework look very good, and are almost exactly the right colour too. Serendipity is a good thing. I've read that these interfere with putting the cowling panels in place using Tamiya's magnetic scheme, but since I plan on displaying the model with these panels off, it will be OK.
Next, I'll be painting up the resin exhausts so I can add those to the engine. After having a look at the exhausts supplied by Tamiya, I'm glad I got the resin from Quickboost. First, the kit exhausts aren't very deep, and being an elongated slot, are not so easy to drill out. Second, the sprue attachment point is right where the welding bead line would be. The Quickboost resin parts are much better, and even duplicate the welding beads. I don't know how visible it will be, but it's there!
@Holger, no, I'm not sponsored by Barracuda. But they do have a lot of my money, so perhaps I'm sponsoring them? 🙂
Cheers,
Bill
26 January 2019, 20:36
Peter HardyStill totally enjoying this build Bill and following with full attention. You "micro detail" builders keep the rest of us driven! Also enjoying and appreciating the detailed monologue as we go. A lesson in every update. Many thanks!
26 January 2019, 21:03
Bill GilmanThanks mates - I've added the resin exhausts. Now she looks like a Merlin!
1 February 2019, 16:42
Bernhard SchrockBill: you are not only a excellent modeller but a painter too! I'm watching the endresult.
2 February 2019, 10:15
Bill GilmanMore progress on the big Spitfire. Take a look at the new photos that I've uploaded. Painting of the fuselage has begun! She is really coming together. Cheers, Bill
1 March 2019, 21:49
Peter HardyI have a question for you in a sec Bill but first I want to say that I am enjoying your build as much as I thought I would. Such a huge canvas on which to paint! You are doing an excellent job with the extra details as well. Which brings me to my question. Have you, at any point looked at the pe, decals or other accessories and thought, "You have got to be kidding! That's just taking it too far"! Then sat down and added the microscopically small detail and then had a laugh at just how over the top you have become by adding it?
1 March 2019, 22:26
Bill GilmanThanks mates! I appreciate the comments. @Peter Hardy, that's a great question! I tend to draw the line at what I think adds value to the model. Or at least whether or not I can see the part on the fret. I am getting older you know... 🙂
2 March 2019, 16:09
Bill GilmanThanks, mates. The Ocean Grey and Dark Green have been applied. Have a look at the new photos. Cheers, Bill
4 March 2019, 00:23
Bill SpargoHi Bill your modulation from the photos looks exactly as it should be, in my opinion. When I started that 23 years ago it was aimed to slightly vary the original colour to show signs of fading with wear and tear to the paint work. The eye sees a slight variation and perceives the rest of the colour tone difference. That combined with some slight weathering makes our mind visualise the colour variation. That's what I aim for with my modelling anyway. I have spent hundreds of hours looking at the real machine and photos to make the above comments, but , at the end of the day the modeller models to what they like and that is how it should be.Yours always look brilliant. She looks so beautiful already and she hasn't even got the decals on to really bring her to life, cant wait.
4 March 2019, 02:55
Bill GilmanHi mates, sorry for the lack of progress. I went to Egypt for the last two weeks of April, and then managed to get a spot of pneumonia on the ride home. I've been recovering since then, but finally I'm back at the workbench and the big Spit has moved forward. As you can see from the photos, the transfers have gone on, she's received a coat of flat varnish, and the masks have come off of the windscreen and rear canopy. I think that tape was on for a long time! I had some silvering with the Tamiya decals I used for the stencils, but a nice sharp #11 blade to poke the decals with, plus a couple of gallons of Mr & Mrs Mark Softer and I think we're OK. She sure looks pretty.
Next up is to work on the radiators. Tamiya provide a part that is either a de-icing nozzle or a breather tube of some sort, but it's only for the front of the starboard radiator. Should there be one for the port side? I also have some photos that show a "heater duct" for the rear of both radiators, and if this is something I need to add for this particular aircraft, I'll have to scratchbuild it. Anyone know if these were on all Mark IXs?
Cheers, Bill
2 June 2019, 16:32
Alec KLooks great! Not sure about the heater... Glad you recovered, but a trip to Egypt? Sounds awesome, definitely on my bucket list 👍
2 June 2019, 17:19
Bill GilmanThanks! @Alec K, it was a great trip. It was a two week cruise down the Nile led by Archaeological Paths (a Polish tour company), and I went with my daughter. Zahi Hawass and Mustafa Waziri were our hosts. We even had afternoon tea with Mrs. Sadat at her home in Cairo. She's a wonderful lady.
flickr.com/photos/14..m-72157689796578115/
flickr.com/photos/14..m-72157689796578115/
2 June 2019, 17:47
Alec KWow! Those are some big names, I am super jealous. I have to look up that travel company.
2 June 2019, 21:15
Kerry COXTo think, that just a couple of years ago, detail like what is available now was just a pipe dream. !
The detail presented here is worthy of it eventually taking a place in some aero museum.
Just beautiful on every front. 👍
A real labour of love. 👍 -)
3 June 2019, 01:15
Bill GilmanThanks mates. I decided to add the wing gun heater duct work that is in the aft portion of the radiator wells. Tamiya do not include these parts in the kit (probably because they will be pretty much invisible once the radiator housings and flaps are added.) But that never stopped me before! Looking at photo #116, you can see that the duct is made from both rectangular and round tubing. I had a look at all the leftover junk from previous kits and found some unused missile launch rails (look like they're 1:48) which could work for the rectangular section, and added some Evergreen round tube. I attached the two as shown in the photo, and then trimmed to the right size.
I used some 0.010" thick sheet styrene to make some mounting flanges (one rectangular and one round) and added those. After posing the resulting little bugger in the radiator well (as shown), I think it will do the trick. The duct for the other side is different, with a longer round section since the wing guns are on the other side. I'll make that up the same way, and then paint and attach.
Wifey always bugged me about why I keep boxes full of old kit parts, and hopefully now she sees why. You never know when you're going to need a 1:48 scale launch rail! 🙂
Cheers, Bill
4 June 2019, 20:13
Jean-Michel TilquinI am admiring your care for detail! So much patience i don't have yet!
5 June 2019, 17:07
Bill GilmanThanks! I also just realised that there are actuators for the radiator flaps that need to be added as well. I'll be posing the flaps open, hence the need to add these details. Besides, there is always some judge with a tiny flashlight peering into nooks and crannies... 🙂
5 June 2019, 17:42
Bryn CrandellThat is some amazing work. Definately worth sitting thru each and every picture. Studied them all. All I can say is WOW!
5 June 2019, 20:21
Nigel@Jean-Michel Tilquin: it's not just patience, but background information, skill, and a MASSIVE spare parts collection! 🙂
All of which is way beyond me...I can only look on in awe. And hopefully, just hopefully, pick up a few tips.
6 June 2019, 19:18
Daniel KlinkTHat is really amazing stuff you show us here Bill 👍 The filter looks like the real thing amazing
6 June 2019, 19:48
SpanjaardA true masterpiece, and not yet finished....
That trio was probably incredible, by the way😉
15 June 2019, 19:09
Bill GilmanThanks mates! I'm rapidly running out of parts so I must be close to finishing. A few more photos have been added. Cheers, Bill
6 July 2019, 16:11
Bill GilmanHi mates - the big Spitfire is finished! I've uploaded a portrait of the finished model (more photos to come). I think I may have to put this on a base, and maybe add the standing pilot figure that Tamiya included with the kit. Cheers, Bill
8 July 2019, 14:32
Holger KranichUncle Bill, awesome as usual. Suddenly the wish to build a Spit rises in my mind...
8 July 2019, 14:42
Slavo HazuchaBeautiful in all aspects, a master-crafted Spitfire! Simply a pleasure to watch, finished kit and the build process too... just great! 👍
8 July 2019, 15:16
Bill GilmanThanks everyone! Sorry for the delay in posting additional photos but my Dad passed away this week and that takes precedence. I should be able to get more photos posted sometime next week. Cheers, Bill
11 July 2019, 19:09
Bill GilmanThanks mates. Not only did my Dad pass, but my daughter learned on the same day that her 10 year old Labrador Retriever has bone cancer. Tough day for her. 🙁
11 July 2019, 19:31
Urban GardiniThat's terrible news mate, you've my sincere condolences for the loss of your father! Don't worry about us, life is more important than some nutcases online so take the time needed, your family needs you more now than we do!
11 July 2019, 19:50
MunkyslutOh Bill that's such a shame, I bloody love my dogs, much nicer than people.
Such a young age, poor child
11 July 2019, 20:17
Maciej BellosSad news Bill... My condolences to you and your family.
Ps: Top work with the Spit.
11 July 2019, 21:09
Daniel KlinkHi Bill, my thoughts are with you.. so sorry for your loss... and reading this just switches me back two months ago..
Cheers Daniel
11 July 2019, 21:34
Michael HickeySorry to hear all that sad news Bill, my condolences to you and your loved ones.
12 July 2019, 02:44
Bill GilmanThanks for the nice comments, mates, it really helps during a time like this. It's especially difficult this time, as I have four grandchildren between 2 and 8 that don't really understand what's going on, and I don't really know how to explain it to them. It's tough, but we'll all get through it.
I found some time today to take some more photos of the finished model and post them. It helped clear my mind a bit. Please have a look and enjoy. For me, I need to get through the funeral and then move on to my next project. Back in 1:72 scale where I belong! 🙂
12 July 2019, 18:46
Urban GardiniTake it as it comes one step at a time mate. As for going back to 1:72 I must say that you've proven to us that you belong in any given scale and not just one scale! Take care mate!
12 July 2019, 19:05
Tim HeimerBill I am so sorry to hear all that you're going through. If it helps....remember- " It's not even a flesh wound"! LOL!
13 July 2019, 13:24
Patrick HagelsteinJust reading the word 'condolences' triggered me into reading more. So sorry for your loss Bill.... How old was your dad and did he pass away without any pain or hard circumstances?
29 July 2019, 19:37
Bill GilmanThank you for the condolences everyone. My Dad was 90 and suffering from end stage renal failure. He was in the hospital and passed in his sleep.
31 July 2019, 13:49
Kerry COXHaving built the "Grey Nurse" in 1/32 too, I know how much fun and enjoyment this build gave you. 👍
You have achieved a fantastic result and proud to post it here on SM for all of us to also enjoy. 🙂
Thank you for sharing it with us. 👍 🙂
31 July 2019, 20:56
Bill GilmanTime to pat myself on the back - my Big Spit won Gold in category, Overall Best Aircraft, and Best In Show at ROCON 38! Woo hoo! 🙂
17 September 2019, 18:39
Bryn CrandellCongrats on the sweep. Well deserved for all of the hours and detail that went into this spectacular bird.
18 September 2019, 11:58
Bill GilmanThanks everyone! I was very happy to have you all along for the build. 🙂
22 September 2019, 22:20
Bill GilmanThanks. @Treehugger - unfortunately they don't fit well since I added the Eduard photoetch bits on the framework.
1 April 2021, 15:10
TreehuggerI've been wondering on maybe getting this kit sometime.
Q: Is the offending Eduard PE something that only is placed inside the loose panels, or also stuff around the engine itself you think?
Now that I think about it, I am not used to showing off engines on models, so in my case I could just cover up the engine parts.
1 April 2021, 15:21
Bill GilmanThe cowling panels are held on with magnets that Tamiya have cleverly hidden inside the engine and other parts. Because there is such a close fit between the panels and the cowling framework, the addition of the Eduard photoetch chafing strips prevent the panels from matching up with each other. The PE strips are on the outside of the framework and the inside of the panels. They look great when everything is posed open as I have it.
1 April 2021, 15:43
Christopher MullinsLooks great, I am thinking of buying as many Quick Boost exhaust as I can for all mz aircraft, they just look so much better
2 April 2021, 15:07
